ELECTIONS
Vote by Mail
Many states have moved to vote-by-mail in recent years in order to make it more convenient to vote and in the past few months to avoid the possible COVID health risks associated with large crowds at polling places. Yet there remain questions about how many states use it, how mail balloting operates, what its political consequences are, whether the use of mail ballots increases electoral fraud, and how popular it is with voters.
- There are two kinds of mail balloting systems: universal vote by mail and absentee balloting. In 2016, nearly one-quarter of U.S. Votes were cast by mail.
- Research suggests neither party gains an advantage.
- There is NO evidence that mail ballots increase electoral fraud. Several anti-fraud protections are built into the process. Those who abuse mail ballots can be charged with election fraud and face fines or prison time.
Learn More:
Check out this Information from the Brookings Institute, a nonprofit public policy organization based in Washington, DC.:
- How does vote-by-mail work and does it increase election fraud.
- Webinar: Protecting elections during the coronavirus pandemic.
- Low rates of fraud in vote-by-mail states show the benefits outweigh the risks
What Can I Do?
- Register to vote if you haven’t already: https://myvote.wi.gov/en-US/RegisterToVote
- Make sure you and your friends and family know how to vote by mail if that is your choice: vote absentee at myvote.wi.gov
- Know how to fill out the ballot so that your vote counts on election day!
- Follow the instructions on filling out the ballot.
- Make sure you have the ballot witnessed – your witness doesn’t need to see how you voted, they are just attesting that you are the person completing the ballot.
- Include your witnesses’ address.
- If you feel you’ve made a mistake and spoilt your ballot, call the City Clerk to have a new ballot issued.
- Specific Door County Voting Information: https://www.co.door.wi.gov/422/Voter-Election-Information
ISSUES ARCHIVE:
