Trump has repeatedly stated that mail-in voting lends itself to fraud despite security measures and a number of studies that conclusively demonstrate this is exceedingly rare in the U.S. This has led many to conclude that these allegation are a brazen attempt to suppress the vote to gain an advantage in the forthcoming general election. At the DNC president Obama warned, "Do not let them take away your power. Don't let them take away your democracy. Make a plan right now for how you're going to get involved and vote. Do it as early as you can and tell your family and friends how they can vote too. Do what Americans have done for over two centuries when faced with even tougher times than this -- all those quiet heroes who found the courage to keep marching, keep pushing in the face of hardship and injustice."
More than twelve state attorney generals (Washington state, Colorado, Connecticut, Illinois, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia and Wisconsin) are taking Trump to court to try to prevent him from undermining people's right to vote. A separate lawsuit was filed by Pennsylvania and California. There have been protests at the home of the Postmaster General and DeJoy was forced to appear before the House and the Senate.
Combating this voter suppression is largely in the hands of states as they generally hold the power to determine their own manner of voting, including mail-in ballots. All states allow at least some voting by mail, but it is more accessible in some states than others. According to the New York Times there are a total of 27 states and Washington, D.C., that have expanded mail-in ballots for the 2020 general election. Some counties in states with stricter rules have made it easier to vote by mail. However, voters in Texas, Louisiana, Tennessee, South Carolina, Indiana, and New York, need a reason other than COVID-19 to vote absentee. That means many voters in these states will need to vote in person at a polling place.
Trump has succeeded in slowing down the USPS, however, in 44 states you can increase the likelihood that your vote is counted by following these 4 steps:
1. Register to vote
2. Request a mail-in ballot
3. Deliver your ballot to a drop off site on or before November 3
4. Vote early and track your vote online
Register to vote
In 34 states, voters can cite the coronavirus as a reason to vote absentee or they can cast absentee ballots without specifying a reason. In New Mexico, Iowa, Wisconsin, Illinois, Ohio, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Delaware and Washington DC., every registered voter will automatically be mailed an application to request an absentee ballot. In 25 states, voters will need to procure an application for an absentee ballot themselves.
Go to Vote.org to find out if you are registered to vote (and learn how to register if you are not). If you are not registered you can register by clicking here.
Request a mail-in ballot
The first thing prospective voters must do is apply for an absentee or mail-in ballot. Some states are sending absentee ballot applications to all registered voters automatically, but many are not. In Washington, Oregon, California, Nevada, Utah, Colorado, Vermont, New Jersey states and Washington, D.C., every registered voter will be mailed a ballot ahead of the election. California, D.C. and Vermont are doing this for the first time in 2020. If you live in a state which does not automatically send out absentee ballots click here to request such a ballot. Check the rules in your state. After you recieve your ballot complete and sign it then follow the steps below.
Deliver your ballot to drop boxes
In many states voters can circumvent Trump's slowdown of the USPS by using drop boxes. Its faster than mail-in and safer than voting in person. In some states votes may be tabulated ahead of Election Day (check the policy in your state).
To find the ballot drop-off location closest to you do an online search for "DROP OFF BALLOT LOCATION" for your state. You can also search for your state supervisor of elections. Deliver your ballot to an official drop-off location on or before November 3.
States that are using drop boxes include Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Hawaii, Michigan, Montana, New Jersey, New Mexico, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Washington, Wisconsin, and perhaps Florida. Despite having no evidence to support their allegations of fraud, Trump and Republicans are challenging these drop boxes in court, in state legislatures and in the court of public opinion.
Vote Early and track your vote online
Several states have sought to extend the deadlines to give more time to receive and count mail-in ballots. However, the GOP is trying to kill the effort in the courts. So make sure your ballot is submitted on or before November 3.
To increase the chances that your vote is counted vote as early as the rules in your state allow. In some states this can occur as much as 46 days before the general election (Friday, September 18, 2020). Click here to see the state by state calendar of early voting.
California, Oregon, Washington Colorado have systems that can track your ballot just like tracking a package from Amazon. Find out if there is any way you can track your ballot in your state. Click here to find out more about absentee voting rules in your state.
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