Support Vote by Mail in New York
Fair-minded
people of both political parties acknowledge that as COVID-19 bears
down upon us, we must plan alternatives to in-person voting in
November’s elections. A repeat of Wisconsin’s debacle,
with dedicated, masked citizens risking their health to exercise their
most fundamental right, has been likened to the courage of Americans who
risked personal safety to protest racial discrimination in the 60’s.
Many will be willing to take that kind of
risk in November. But we can do more and better, at least in New York.
Senator
Jen Metzger (D-Rosendale) has submitted a bill, S8120, that calls for
immediate planning to provide Vote by Mail (VBM) to New Yorkers in
November (it’s too late to implement for June
23 primary elections). VBM eliminates the cumbersome process tied to
absentee ballots, in which one must request an absentee ballot
application, which is returned by the Board of Elections; the completed
application is returned to the BOE; the BOE sends an
absentee ballot; once voters receive it, they complete and return to
the BOE. With VBM the BOE sends a ballot to all registered voters; they
fill out the ballot and return it to the BOE for counting. Done.
Voting at polling sites will still be an option.
Yes,
there are challenges. Security measures must be in place. Funding
must be available to pay for new workers and post office charges.
States that have implemented VBM have offered careful
advice about how to proceed.
Perhaps
above all, a massive public education effort is needed, starting now.
Whether VBM or “temporary illness” absentee voting is ultimately
implemented, voters need to know what to expect,
long in advance of November. That effort will require money, staffing,
and the use of all available tools for outreach. We shouldn’t have to
be heroes to vote. Heroism will come from institutional support for our
democratic system.
Publishing history:
Daily Freeman 4/22/20
Sullivan Democrat 4/23/20
Hudson Valley 360
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