There are a variety of issues being raised concerning mail in ballots. Most are not substantive and have been conflated into general political propaganda and misinformation. However, when you look at the issue a little closer it is pretty obvious that it is unlikely to be legitimate controversy that affects the election. Here is why:
Mail in balloting falls into three major buckets:
1. A few states, CO, HI, OR, UT and WA have done mail in ballots predominantly or exclusively for years an have done so without material issues. These states have not been a focus of concern.
2. Many states have extended the use absentee ballots for the reason of COVID-19. This requires a registered voter to request a ballot and it must be returned in accordance of normal absentee ballot procedure. This has not been a major focus of concern.
3. Some states have approved mailing out ballots automatically to all registered voters bypassing the usual absentee ballot request procedure. This is the process that has caused the most concern. States using this process are: CA, CT, DE, DC, IL, IA, MD, MI, NE, NJ, NV, RI and VT.
The point of this thread is not to argue the mechanics of mail in ballots, the scarce record of genuine fraud or the potential for abuse in scenario three but rather point out none of the states using mass mail in balloting (scenario 1 and 3) will be seriously contested in this election other than NV and maybe MI. Crying about what happens in CA or NJ might allow smoke to be thrown up but it is irrelevant to the election. Accordingly, barring any issues or a particularly close vote in NV this is pretty much a non-issue.
Mail in balloting falls into three major buckets:
1. A few states, CO, HI, OR, UT and WA have done mail in ballots predominantly or exclusively for years an have done so without material issues. These states have not been a focus of concern.
2. Many states have extended the use absentee ballots for the reason of COVID-19. This requires a registered voter to request a ballot and it must be returned in accordance of normal absentee ballot procedure. This has not been a major focus of concern.
3. Some states have approved mailing out ballots automatically to all registered voters bypassing the usual absentee ballot request procedure. This is the process that has caused the most concern. States using this process are: CA, CT, DE, DC, IL, IA, MD, MI, NE, NJ, NV, RI and VT.
The point of this thread is not to argue the mechanics of mail in ballots, the scarce record of genuine fraud or the potential for abuse in scenario three but rather point out none of the states using mass mail in balloting (scenario 1 and 3) will be seriously contested in this election other than NV and maybe MI. Crying about what happens in CA or NJ might allow smoke to be thrown up but it is irrelevant to the election. Accordingly, barring any issues or a particularly close vote in NV this is pretty much a non-issue.
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