Coronavirus Precautions Popularize Mail-In Voting
As a result of coronavirus (COVID-19) quarantine restrictions, the Center for Disease Control (CDC) has suggested mail-in voting as a socially distanced alternative to going to the polls. Unlike in-person voting, where people are packed together, mail-in voting requires no in-person assistance and is easier to complete, making it the safest and easiest option for this upcoming election. Mail-in voting can be completed through the use of absentee ballots, which are sent by state governments to voters who cannot vote in-person. In order to be sent an absentee ballot, one must go online or call their local election authority. After a ballot is filled out, it is then placed inside an attached security envelope used to prevent voter fraud. This election, California and eight other states decided to send ballots to everyone, meaning people who did not request a mail-in ballot may still receive one. This is unlike absentee voting, where one must specifically request a ballot.
For seniors who have turned 18, this upcoming election will be their first. Senior Kate Martino turned 18 in August and is now able to vote in the November U.S. presidential election. Martino recognizes the importance of voting and hopes other students her age will also choose to vote, whether it be via mail or in-person.
“Actually being able to participate in the government [by voting] is [very exciting],” Martino said. “As children we sit back and watch what is happening [regarding politics], but now as a [legal adult], I have an opinion. Personally, I am not going to do [mail-in voting], but I think it is a good way to get more people to do their part and vote.”
Mail-in voting has become more popular this election because it follows the COVID-19 safety guidelines. If people are afraid of contracting the virus, they can decide to mail in a ballot instead. U.S. History and World History teacher Mark Mackenzie has been participating in mail-in absentee voting for years and views it as an easy and safe way to vote.
“The [advantage] of mail-in voting is you do not have to go anywhere,” Mackenzie said. “If you are afraid of catching the virus, you can [cast your vote] from your home. Absentee voting has been proven to be safe, and [the government] has been using [absentee voting] for a long time.”
However, some voters are growing suspicious of the validity of the votes being mailed in. U.S. History and Advanced Placement (AP) Psychology teacher John Hangartner fears people will tamper with the ballots, especially seeing how divided the country has become over the election and the presidential candidates. Already, the Republican Party has put up fake ballot boxes in Southern California to illegally harvest votes, according to the New York Times. Although Hangartner hopes the people’s faith in the voting system will be reinstated, he understands that people may go to extreme lengths to ensure that their preferred presidential candidate wins.
“I know there are going to be problems [with mail-in voting] and votes being counted,” Hangartner said. “We are going to get a number of votes that are not going to be counted because [people] did not fill [the ballots] in correctly [or] mail personnel [may throw ballots] into the trash. There are people who are putting up boxes, [deceiving] people to drop their vote in an unofficial ballot box, which is not right.”
With all of this in mind, there are pros and cons concerning both forms of voting for this election. Mail-in voting is a method that those at risk of contracting COVID-19 can use to safely vote from home, though they risk their vote not being counted. In-person voting decreases the chance that a vote is tampered with, but also increases the chances of contracting COVID-19. Regardless of the method citizens use, they all are still exhibiting civic engagement and share the same desire to vote.
“Voting is one of the most important and basic rights that we have,” Mackenzie said. “But whether it be in-person or mail-in, it is a citizen’s duty to vote.”
