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Amy Baron-Evans's avatar

Dems need to wake up and stop promoting VBM as if it were the only option, and stop promoting use of the mail to vote at all.

The rejection rate of mail ballots is high, enough to hand the election to Trump. https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2020-election/democrats-are-strongly-pushing-mail-voting-its-pitfalls-could-boost-n1235289; https://www.cbsnews.com/news/why-mail-in-ballot-rejected-voting-counts/; https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2020-election/democrats-are-strongly-pushing-mail-voting-its-pitfalls-could-boost-n1235289; https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2020/08/06/mail-in-voting-could-accidentally-disenfranchise-millions-voters/

10 days to mail a ballot is not enough even now when mail is taking 2-3 weeks within the same city, and by October, Trump/DeJoy will likely have ordered a halt to delivery of mail ballots. In fact, Trump’s aides are exploring “possible executive actions he could take to curb mail-in voting — everything from directing the postal service to not deliver certain ballots to stopping local officials from counting them after Election Day.” https://www.politico.com/news/2020/08/08/trump-wants-to-cut-mail-in-voting-the-republican-machine-is-helping-him-392428.

There is no question he's going to try to stop the counting of mail ballots. “The only way to prevent this scenario, or at least rob it of the oxygen it needs to burn, is to deliver an election night lead to Biden. This means voting in person.” How to Foil Trump’s Election Night Strategy, Jamelle Bouie, NYT (Aug. 11, 2020), https://www.nytimes.com/2020/08/11/opinion/trump-election-day.html.

Put on your PPE and vote in person early or on election day (many election offices will ensure polling places large enough for social distancing). If you must VBM, hand deliver your ballot to an approved drop-off location or drop box if available; if not, take it to the election office. https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2020/08/13/vote-like-miss-sylvia-hand-deliver-your-mail-in-or-absentee-ballot/

People should contact their local election office to find out their options, what safety measures can be taken, etc., and NOT reflexively vote by mail or trust USPS with anything.

To contact your local election office: https://www.usvotefoundation.org/vote/eoddomestic.htm

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gildedtwig's avatar

I love the USPS for many reasons. It hired my 55 year old husband who’d been axed by IBM. Decent wage. Union protection (unlike IBM - the “lifetime” employer who broke his heart). This gave me a 10 year insiders view into the unbelievably hard work behind our miraculous mail system. A package delivery to the Tonga island of Vava’u? No problem! ❤️🤍💙

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