Why Mail-In Ballots Are Safe and Effective
by Carlee Wilson
Voting is the foundation of American democracy. Every eligible voter should have an accessible, secure, and reliable way to cast their ballot free from interference, judgement, and any barriers keeping them from their civic duty. Mail-in voting, also known as absentee voting, is just that – accessible, secure, and reliable. It has been the go-to method for Washington State voters since the early 2000s. Yet, despite lack of evidence, mail-in voting faces scrutiny from our current political administration.
A Trusted Practice with a Long History
First, mail-in voting is not new. It dates back to the Civil War when soldiers mailed in their ballots from the battlefield. Since then, it has been used by military members, overseas citizens, and millions of Americans who can’t make it to the polls on Election Day.
Today, most states offer some form of mail-in voting, but not all states have embraced the advanced technology helping us keep elections secure and the people working these elections accountable. Washington, on the other hand, has had some form of absentee ballot since the 1950s with a large shift occurring in the 1990s and early 2000s to make this option the norm. Oddly enough, Washington’s 39 counties were given the opportunity to conduct elections solely by mail after an incredibly close 2004 gubernatorial race and the circumstances around it made voters feel dismayed about the accuracy and transparency of traditional ballot casting. The changes from this particular election created higher auditing standards and practices, made more possible by the tech in place to scan, count, and alert officials of inaccuracies and fraud.
Security Measures Are Strong
One of the primary concerns surrounding mail-in voting is the risk of fraud. However, the process of mail-in voting is designed with multiple safeguards to ensure that votes are secure and that voters and election workers are held accountable.
Voter Identity Verification: Before ballots are sent out, election authorities carefully verify voter identities. This is done by checking voter registration records and ensuring that all necessary information matches the voter’s official registration data.
Barcodes and Tracking: Many states use barcodes, serial numbers, and tracking systems to monitor the status of ballots. This allows election officials to ensure that each vote is accounted for and can be tracked at every step of the process, from the time it’s mailed out to when it’s counted. This process also allows voters themselves to track their own ballots; without it, voters would not be able to view where in the process their ballot is and if it was counted correctly.
Signature Matching: On the envelope of a mail-in ballot, the voter’s signature is often required. This signature is checked against the one on file with the voter’s registration to verify authenticity. In some cases, voters are contacted if discrepancies arise and these questionable ballots are not counted. Legal action is taken against individuals found to be tampering or interfering with elections.
Prohibitions on Duplicate Voting: Election authorities have systems in place to prevent voters from casting multiple ballots. If a person were to attempt voting in person after submitting a mail-in ballot, the system would flag the second vote as invalid.
Audits and Testing: Election authorities and poll workers use logic and accuracy tests to verify the readiness and accuracy of the systems used for each election, ensuring that ballots are programmed correctly and the technology used in scanning them are working properly. Each election includes a post-election auditing process to verify accuracy.
Why Mail-in Ballot Access Matters
Mail-in ballots make voting more accessible, especially for individuals who might face challenges voting in person. By removing barriers such as long lines, travel difficulties, and scheduling conflicts, mail-in voting allows more people to cast their ballots. This process has also been shown to increase voter turnout.
Voters with Disabilities: For individuals with physical disabilities or mobility challenges, voting in person can be a significant hurdle. Mail-in ballots allow these voters to cast their votes from the comfort of their homes.
Elderly Voters: Seniors who might find it difficult to travel to polling stations, especially in rural or underserved areas, can easily vote by mail. This ensures they can participate in the democratic process without unnecessary hardship.
People in Remote Locations: Military personnel, students, and people living in remote or rural areas often face long travel distances to reach a polling station. Mail-in ballots eliminate this barrier, allowing them to vote no matter where they are located.
Busy Schedules: Many people have unpredictable work schedules, childcare responsibilities, or other personal commitments that make voting on Election Day difficult. Mail-in ballots offer the flexibility to vote at a time that works best for them.
Unexpected Large-Scale Events: Natural disasters, pandemics, or even unexpected events like severe weather can disrupt in-person voting. Mail-in ballots provide a reliable alternative when unforeseen circumstances arise. During the COVID-19 pandemic, for example, mail-in voting ensured that people could still participate in the election while maintaining social distancing.
In Conclusion
Election officials across the country consistently affirm the integrity of mail-in voting. Both state and federal election authorities have stated that mail-in ballots are just as secure as in-person voting, with similar levels of scrutiny and verification at every stage of the process. Our current political administration’s rhetoric on mail-in ballots and the technology used to count them are unfounded concerns meant to instill doubt and evoke fear in American voters. The laws, regulations, and methods of our elections must remain bipartisan, meaning no one political party has control over how elections take place and, therefore, can’t find “missing” votes or bend the numbers in their direction. Ultimately, mail-in ballots are not just a safety net – they are a permanent, essential part of a more inclusive and resilient democratic system.