Absentee-by-mail ballots are paper ballots that are mailed to voters who must then fill them out and return them, often with the voter's signature and sometimes a witness signature to prove the voter's identity. In 35 states and Washington, D.C., any qualified voter may vote absentee-by-mail without offering an excuse, and in the remaining states, an excuse is required. For example, Georgia allows anyone to vote by mail while voters in New York can’t vote absentee by mail unless they are out of town on Election Day, ill, disabled, taking care of someone who is ill or disabled, in a Veterans Health Administration hospital, or in jail for a non felony offense.
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@ISIDEWITH2yrs2Y
No
@9TBB43S8mos8MO
The ability to vote in every election should be made as easy and as generally applicable as possible to ensure greater participation among the electorate.
@ISIDEWITH2yrs2Y
Yes, but add stricter requirements for eligibility and verification
@9V7LYPL7mos7MO
focusing on accessibility, security and democratic principles emphasizes the importance of maintaining an inclusive and fair voting process
Yes, but we should create an online alternative to where you can either vote from a Government monitored website or app to vote.
That's an intriguing perspective. Estonia, for instance, has successfully implemented online voting since 2005. It offers convenience and accessibility, potentially boosting voter turnout. Yet, with the growing sophistication of cyber threats, how can we ensure the security and integrity of an online voting system?
@9DCBMGJ2yrs2Y
No, mail in ballots should be abolished
@9F56K6ZLibertarian2yrs2Y
No. This has compromised elections and has made the majority of the public not trust the outcomes.
@VulcanMan6 2yrs2Y
Actually, mail-in ballots have been used for decades without issue, and the only people who distrust (or blatantly deny) election outcomes are conspiracy theorists who fall for anti-democratic propaganda.
@GratefulPeacock2yrs2Y
While it's true that mail-in ballots have been used in some capacity for years, it's also important to note that the scale of their use in recent times is unprecedented. This has led to logistical challenges and concerns about potential errors or fraud. For example, in the 2020 New York primary, over 20% of mail-in ballots were invalidated due to errors in completion or delivery issues. While this doesn't necessarily indicate widespread fraud, it does highlight potential vulnerabilities in the system.
As for the distrust in election outcomes, it's not limited to conspiracy… Read more
@VulcanMan6 2yrs2Y
Unfortunately, this country seems to actively make it as unnecessarily complicated and/or difficult as possible to vote, which is a huge problem, especially considering how already anti-democratic our political system is.
More transparency and accountability of media sources that promote and spread lies and conspiracies about "mass voter fraud" and "stolen elections" and other propagandized rhetoric would significantly reduce the amount of public distrust and misinformation about our elections. Overall, our election process should be much more accessible and streamlined,… Read more
@9BLQ5YS2yrs2Y
No, but make voting compulsory
@9CRZVKLIndependent2yrs2Y
Yes, and make voting compulsory but add stricter requirements for eligibility and verification
@9M56RRW1yr1Y
Mail in ballots should only be used by voters who are physically incapable of making it to a polling location or required to be out of the area on election day.
@9DQ572G2yrs2Y
No but make it easier to get one
@9D6CJQQ2yrs2Y
Voting should be done online
@9GVQQKS1yr1Y
No, but make voting compulsory by making Election Day a national holiday so that people may have the opportunity to vote in person
@9DX6QM92yrs2Y
No, and ban mail in ballots
@9D3RPBQ2yrs2Y
Voting should not be compulsory due to how coercive and Unethical it can be, Also it undermines democracy. Also voting should be voluntary and participatory
@9D3YL4B2yrs2Y
Require it to be requested and make it easier to request.
@9F56TK6Republican 2yrs2Y
No, mail in ballots should only be used by the elderly over 75 years of age or the disabled with proof of ID and written authorization from their physician.
@9J92TWT1yr1Y
I feel that mail-in ballots should be sent out per the request of the voter, but there should be a thorough verification process for these ballots. Consistently, I feel that in-person voting should require photo-ID as a form of verification.
@9CMSYSL2yrs2Y
No, and we should ban all mail-in ballot voting in order to prevent another rigged election.
@KYYCCCLibertarian2yrs2Y
No, but create an online voting system
@9BHQL292yrs2Y
No, and we should ban all mail-in ballot voting in order to prevent another rigged election. The 2020 presidential election was a rigged election and was not conducted fairly.
@9DGSS2N2yrs2Y
No don’t even use mail in ballots at all.
@9DBL8362yrs2Y
No but every voter should be given the option to vote by mail if preferred
@9D8BJFQIndependent2yrs2Y
This can be decided at the state level but I think it should be a national holiday so everyone has it off and has the ability time to vote if they want to.
@9CX9ZGR2yrs2Y
No. Make Election Day a federal holiday.
@9CC6W3D2yrs2Y
Yes, and make voting easier
@B55P9Z41wk1W
Yes and make voting compulsory. It would be hilarious if Taylor Swift was voted as president. Mostly joking here but still.
@B54PMSW1wk1W
Yes, but i think you should be able to do it from your phone or computer. Just put in your info and you vote. And it should be compulsory.
@B4VCZD42wks2W
I think there should be a way for these voters to let the government know they can't vote in-person, so then they'll receive a ballot in the mail.
@B4S4QRZ3wks3W
No, they should receive a mail-in ballot if their identity and citizenship have been proven and they have indicated that they would like to receive a mail-in ballot.
@B4S4F283wks3W
Not automatically, but they should be able to request a mail in ballot as long as they verify their identity.
@B4KLCSB4wks4W
People should only receive a mail in ballot only after they verified that they are a citizen and reside in the state that they want to vote in
@ye 1mo1MO
Yes, but eventually improve the technology where you can vote online, while still having strict requirements for eligibility and verification
@B495TW91mo1MO
Yes, every voter should receive a mail-in ballot with clear instructions to ensure the vote will count. The voter's party registration and voting decision should be kept confidential.
@B3ZYM5D2mos2MO
No, for the sake of the integrity of the vote and defending our beloved democracy and republic, mail in ballots should only be used by voters who are physically incapable of making it to a polling location
@B3VMXRF2mos2MO
Should be able to vote with cell phone or other technology if done right implementing the correct security measures
@B3GZN7W2mos2MO
from the context and question the only part that sound very reasonable would be if they are "out of town on Election Day, I'll, disabled, taking care of someone who is I'll or disabled, in a Veterans Health Administration hospital, or in jail for an non felony offense."
@B3G5BMN 2mos2MO
When a citizen wants one, then yes but if they plan to go to a voting station, then not necessary to receive one by mail
@B3DPRMP2mos2MO
Yes, in case they go out of town leading up to an election or they’ve got college students located out of state.
@B2ZXTX73mos3MO
No. Mail-in ballots should only be sent to those who request them. They shouldn't need any justification for this.
If they ask for one then they should get one sent in the mail but they first have to asked to be sent one.
Yes, until such time as a secure electronic method of voting remotely can be developed, tested, and implemented.
@B2R8CT83mos3MO
no because I think it would be expensive and many people are happy to travel to vote, but we need to help low incoe people to be able to vote
@B2Q9CDP3mos3MO
I don’t care but they should be available to disabled or sick people who can’t make it to the polls.
@B2KTCXT3mos3MO
no make Election Day a federal holiday and mail in ballots should be used during a pandemic or for voters who are physically incapable of making it to a polling location
@9PDJD35Republican 4mos4MO
yes, but make Election Day a federal holiday and only allow mail in ballots if a heath crisis is occurring
@B2C8RWR4mos4MO
I think it shouldn`t be a requirement. But I did think it should be an option because I might be more comfortable with mail-in the ballot.
@B28ZXZV4mos4MO
No only for certain people. Also I'm anti-democratic. I don't believe it is the best form of governance. I would prefer monarchy or anarcho-capitalism
@9ZZ6DYQ5mos5MO
Yes, however, only if they ask for one, in other words, the current rules and laws in the initiative.
No, because it would be very hard to make sure that the vote was made by that person and not by another.
@9ZSJ7FW5mos5MO
No but every voter should be able to apply for mail in voting and choose to do it if they do not wish to vote in person.
@9ZSB9FM5mos5MO
I feel like there is good and bad here. I feel like as long as they are voting, they are doing their part. They are still going to make in impact. But if you can make it to the in person voting then they should.
@LoneLupari6mos6MO
No. Greater systems should be created to help those physically incapable of reaching a polling location.
@9ZJP59Z6mos6MO
Ballots should be received in the mail but in order to submit must be turned in in person with ID verification
@9ZFQKYQ6mos6MO
Yes, mail in ballots should be automatic and the 2 affidavits should be enough. A copy of a license isn’t easy without access to a printer. The mail return should also be covered
@9ZDDJXSConstitution 6mos6MO
Many voters are low income and don’t have transportation or the means to pay someone to drive them, or are disabled or work more than 2 jobs making difficult to get to a poll, more often than not live outside city limits making it difficult to vote due to lack of money for gas. We should all have the ability to vote by mail.
@9ZC2FQT6mos6MO
Yes, but every issue and position being voted on should have information, for and against, and political stances, from candidates, on all issues.
@9Z9L7HP 6mos6MO
No I want all mail-in ballots stopped I want male and ballots only to those who are physically incapable of going through the polls I feel that everyone should have a voice. So those who cannot come to a pole should be allowed their voice in a way that works for them but I don't feel that should be mail-in ballots I feel that should be something that can also capture the person's ID and a picture of them to ensure their identities.
@9Z97M4W6mos6MO
No, but the process to elect to receive one should be easy, and all states should be required to track ballots and make the information accessible so voters can be sure their ballot was counted
@9YMR7XM6mos6MO
Given technology today the government should be able to create an online system which votes can log into via phone, PC, or public library/town office and vote that way. They should also be able to log in after elections to ensure their vote was represented correctly.
@9YHC2RV6mos6MO
No, mail in ballots should only be used for military members that are stationed outside of the U.S. on election years.
@9YH7RZZ 6mos6MO
Technology should be utilized so that you can vote through your phone using encrypted security protocols. This would track all eligible voters easier and prevent fraud.
@9YH283V6mos6MO
A country both free and ignorant there is to much room for manipulation with mail in ballots if people can't get to an in person polling booth then they are likely too uninformed to be casting and intelligent vote. For those with medical related handicaps exceptions could be made with proper credentialing restrictions and safeguards.
@9YDWGNN6mos6MO
Voters should not automatically receive a mail-in ballot, but should always have the option to request and use one.
@2MQLST2 6mos6MO
No, this could affect the ability of some people to vote the way they want without interference from partners, etc.
@9YBGYB6Independent 6mos6MO
No, voter should have to submit a request with their local jurisdiction to request one and provide proof of ID. Once verified, they receive their mail-in ballot in mail. With e-verify, this should all be able to be completed electronically as well.
@9YBPCRY6mos6MO
No! I have received political information for my deceased, sister, father and mother, leaving open the possibility of receiving 4 ballots I could vote with.
@9YBGYB6Independent 6mos6MO
No, an individual should have to submit a request with their local count precinct and provide their ID in order to vote by mail. I would not make it more challenging however, it should be a right and choice, but not received automatically rather via "election."
@9YB53JW6mos6MO
We should use cryptography and publicize a hashed table of every person's vote, where everyone gets a code increase election security
@9Y6KNX66mos6MO
No - people move too much and don't forward their mail. Their mail in ballot could fall into the hands of somebody who shouldn't be voting.
@9Y64TGS6mos6MO
No. The only exception to voting with a mail in ballot should be those serving in the armed forces overseas.
@7P6LJ7S 6mos6MO
No, They should make mail in ballot available, but extend the length of time when people can cast their vote in person. Give 2 weeks to vote instead of 1 day.
@9XT7VDTRepublican6mos6MO
To do a mail in ballot, you should provide some sort of identification showing you are of age and you are not spamming the votes.
@9XQH3CY6mos6MO
No, but make it easier to request a mail-in ballot (online), and work towards making other voting options available, such as in-person voting being open for more than one day, and online voting.
@9XNKP3N 6mos6MO
Multiple dates and ways of voting should be available. All oversees citizens, military personnel, oversees government employees, missionaries, hospitalized, incarcerated, and disabled citizens should be mailed a ballot.
@9XN7DWD6mos6MO
No, mail in ballots should be discontinued. Voters should be allowed to vote online with a secured login and submit their photo ID and a photo of themself if they chose not to go to a polling location.
@9XJLTZB6mos6MO
Yes it would be nice, but mainly No because it limits who can vote and adds difficultly of mail loss and time to get all that mail out.
@9XHR43B6mos6MO
No, but anyone should be allowed to request a mail-in ballot be sent to them without having to provide a reason. Requiring in-person voting or justification for absentee voting may deprive some of the opportunity to vote.
@9XHJB496mos6MO
I get the absentee ballots so I can look into who candidates are. Many (non-presidential) names are very unknown. It's better to get a absentee ballot and do your own research before going in to vote.
@9XDFHYV6mos6MO
No need to waste the paper and postage if a person is not planning on using it. However make it easy to obtain an absentee ballot if you want or need one.
@9WXFZYN6mos6MO
No, only at the voter’s request. However, limits on why a person needs the mail in ballot should be eliminated.
@9WWJ7J36mos6MO
No, as it could lead to fraud in an aging population, only if a United States Citizen who can prove that with identification requests it.
@9CCDFLZLibertarian 6mos6MO
Most hardworking people in general do not deserve nor have the time to properly participate the privilege of suffrage on a federal level without falling in factionalist tribalism. Local elections however yes, mail in ballot's should be a thing automatically, but federal elections should be regulated to a Elite class of people.
@9WPGZ8K7mos7MO
They should be able to ask for a ballot if they need one but it should not be automatic or else you might risk double-voting
@9WJMPKZ7mos7MO
No, mail-in ballots should only be an option for voters who cannot be present at a voting location, and there should be stricter requirements for verification of identity for those who do use them.
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