With the 2020 Presidential Election coming in November and the country facing a nationwide pandemic, many states have been wondering how to handle the election process. Since states, not the Federal government dictate how elections are conducted, we have already seen a wide variety of concerns throughout the Country.
Some states have chosen to postpone their Primaries due to the Covid-19 stay-at-home orders. Others have chosen to move forward with them even though several polling locations like schools, churches and libraries are closed.
Some states, like Oregon conduct all of their elections by mail and have absolutely no in-person polling stations, so they are moving along with business as usual.
This has led to an increased demand for Vote-by-Mail options in all states for the upcoming Presidential Election. Some in Congress want the next round of stimulus packages to include funding to help states switch to a Vote-by Mail setup.
The current pandemic combined with declining trends in in-person voting while absentee voting has increased have led many to get behind the idea of a nationwide Vote-by-Mail setup.
This is not a decision to be made lightly, though. As of March 2017, 20 states require an excuse to vote by mail. 27 others and the District of Columbia, do not. 3 states conduct all elections by mail.
So, if a nationwide push for Vote by Mail takes place, many states will be required to pass new laws or amend their Constitutions. On top of that, there are concerns that a Vote by Mail could lead to voter fraud.
What are your thoughts? Comment below.