Every state in the union has voting by mail as an option. That is absentee voting, a system that has been in place since the time of the Civil War. Absentee voting began when soldiers in encampments wanted to vote. (Men only in those days — both as soldiers and as voters, of course). As National Geographic reported in August, “From Kentucky to Vermont voting rights were extended to those far away from the polls [because of the War] for the first time.”
In the 160 years since, absentee voting has become routine in every state. During the past 40 years, as more and more people have been participating in the global economy, traveling between residences or serving in the military, states have adjusted rules to accommodate our more mobile society.
While the Norman Rockwell image of the voter in the polling booth is still sacred to many of us, our 21st century work circumstances and travel habits mean that millions of Americans simply cannot vote on one single day in one single place.
Between 2004 and 2016, the number of voters using early voting and absentee voting by mail more than doubled from 24.9 million in 2004 to 57.2 million in 2016. Currently, 30 states have no-excuse absentee voting. By 2016, 16 states had over 50% of their votes handled through early and absentee voting. Numerous, well-respected studies show almost no irregularities within these systems. When errors were uncovered, they were typically the result of accidental human error. County clerks of both political parties from all over this nation pride themselves on handling ballots with care, checking registrations and matching signatures. That is certainly true in Montgomery County.
It is important to note that when voters have greater opportunity to vote from home, voting follows no particular political pattern. In 2016, 11 of the 16 states recorded Republican majority votes and five recorded Democratic majority votes.
Here is how vote by mail or vote at home works: every registered voter in the state is mailed a ballot for each election. Voters then fill out their ballots at home and send them in. This has no effect on voters’ ability to vote at the polls on Election Day should they choose. That option is always available everywhere in every state.
States that do fully use vote by mail/vote at home have seen voting rates increase significantly. That, of course, is always the goal of our democratic process. Colorado, which became a fully vote by mail state in 2013 after about 10 years of piloting, is considered the gold standard for vote by mail. Their system has been closely studied. Voter turnout there has increased by 9.4%. The largest increase in voting rates is among those 30 and younger, traditionally the voters with the lowest percentage turnout. Equally encouraging is that voters who are least likely to turn out for traditional voting have been much better represented. Blue collar voters and those with less education have voted more. There were increases in voting rates by Asian Americans, Latinx and African American voters. Little evidence suggests that vote by mail voting disproportionately benefits either Republicans or Democrats.
Vote by mail provides a voter an additional option that suits our lives today. Rather than the opt in system we have here in Indiana, in which voters must remember to request an absentee ballot by filling out one form and then later getting a ballot to fill out and mail in, voters in vote by mail states (who each have a ballot arrive in the mail) choose not to vote by mail if they wish. In all states, voters can always vote at vote centers or polls on Election Day or take advantage of early in-person voting.
The League of Women Voters, a non-partisan, multi-issue organization encourages informed and active participation in government, works to increase public understanding of major policy issues and influences public policy through education and advocacy. All men and women are invited to join the LWV where hands-on work to safeguard democracy leads to civic improvement. For information about the League, visit the website www.lwvmontco.org or voice mail 765-361-2136.
