US Election 2020: How can I get absentee ballot to vote?
With the U.S. general election drawing nearer by the day, time is running out to get an absentee ballot.
The 2020 U.S. election is expected to have one of the highest turnouts in history. Due to the Covid-19 crisis many people will want to avoid in person voting. However, all 50 states offer mail-in voting. According to a New York Times analysis three-quarters of Americans will be able to receive mail-in ballots.
Where Americans Can Vote by Mail in the 2020 Elections – NY Times
Some worry that the process will be flawed due to ill-preparedness and the immense increase in ballots being cast by mail. There have also been the false statements on several occasions by President Donald Trump that there will be rampant voter fraud. However, both state election officials and studies carried out on mail-in voter fraud debunk those ideas. (add link)
Debunking the voter fraud myth – Brennan Center
A more pressing issue may be the hampering of the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) that has been carried out by the Postmaster General Louis DeJoy since his appointment in May 2020. The changes he implemented, including removing postal boxes from streets, removing automatic mail sorters and reducing overtime for USPS employees. A federal Judge on Monday ordered DeJoy to halt changes and restore on-time delivery status to 2020 peak. (add link)
In Latest Legal Rebuke, Court Orders Postal Service to Prioritize Mail-In Voting – NY Times
So, the best recommendation this year across the spectrum is vote early and get started now. Two websites to search for your eligibility, the dates for registering to vote and when your ballot needs to be received are as follows. The official U.S. government site Federal Voting Assistance Program www.fvap.gov. If you or someone you know is an overseas voter there is the non-partisan site www.votefromabroad.org. The deadline for registering in some states is in early October.
The 2020 U.S. election is expected to have one of the highest turnouts in history. Due to the Covid-19 crisis many people will want to avoid in person voting. However, all 50 states offer mail-in voting. According to a New York Times analysis three-quarters of Americans will be able to receive mail-in ballots. (add link)
Where Americans Can Vote by Mail in the 2020 Elections – NY Times
Some worry that the process will be flawed due to ill-preparedness and the immense increase in ballots being cast by mail. There have also been the false statements on several occasions by President Donald Trump that there will be rampant voter fraud. However, both state election officials and studies carried out on mail-in voter fraud debunk those ideas. (add link)
Debunking the voter fraud myth – Brennan Center
A more pressing issue may be the hampering of the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) that has been carried out by the Postmaster General Louis DeJoy since his appointment in May 2020. The changes he implemented, including removing postal boxes from streets, removing automatic mail sorters and reducing overtime for USPS employees. A federal Judge on Monday ordered DeJoy to halt changes and restore on-time delivery status to 2020 peak.
So, the best recommendation this year across the spectrum is vote early and get started now. Two websites to search for your eligibility, the dates for registering to vote and when your ballot needs to be received are as follows. The official U.S. government site Federal Voting Assistance Program www.fvap.gov. If you or someone you know is an overseas voter there is the non-partisan site www.votefromabroad.org. The deadline for registering in some states is in early October.