New York – Senator Kirsten Gillibrand is among 5 senators pushing legislation to make voting by mail an option for states but critics say it could lead to voter fraud.
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Senator Gillibrand says voting by mail would save taxpayer dollars, expand voter participation and reduce the growing cost of elections. The state of Oregon has been using vote by mail ballots since 1998.
A package of bills was introduced by the senators that would make it easier for states to institute the same vote-by-mail process currently used in Oregon.
“Vote by mail would help more New Yorkers participate in our democracy” says Senator Gillibrand. “We know every American faces some type of obstacle to get to polling places on election day. A vote by mail system provides every citizen with a convenient and secure opportunity to make their voice heard.”
Erie County Board of Elections commissioner Dennis Ward is also in favor of the idea. Ward says the vote by mail system will cut logistical, transportation and operating costs for polling places while allowing each and every voter to get their hands on a ballot without leaving their home.
“There may be a higher postage cost and we’d have some adjustments in the process but I think that the amounto f effort that we have to put into putting the machinery and the supplies and the personnel out at the polling sites, I think is immense. The offset would be much less…” says Ward.
oh, sure so the inept people in governement can just say they never recieved the form in the mail
the right to vote is a privlige, if you cant actually get out to vote then you dont deserve it. lazy people…
Great much more working people will be able to vote
Voter fraud is what they are trying to invcrease! It will allow the already corrupt politicians do sway things their way. They will mail ballots on behalf of thousands of unsuspecting voters. If they want reform, make people show ID when voting.
Here we vote by mail every election; it saves plenty of time and effort (as well as taxpayer money)!
Make vote by web for everyone with a NY driver license / permit. That would be great.
what if a person does not have a license,or a computer?
How is this different than an absentee ballot? I’ve voted by mail ever since I started university.
Make vote by web for everyone with a NY driver license / permit. That would be great.
It’s a terrible idea:
1. voter fraud
2. Despite claims that voting by mail increases voter turnout, the evidence leads to the exact opposite conclusion.
3. It is more expensive for candidates, (increasing costs of campaigns for ordinary citizens who want to run for office)
4. puts voters at the mercy of the postal service (if their ballots are delayed or misdirected, their votes will not count)
5. voters could be casting their ballots without the same access to timely information about candidates
6. it destroys the communal act of voting in a way that is damaging to America’s voting traditions and the inculcation of civic virtues