The October surprise in California was the news that Republican “operatives” were setting out their own ballot drop boxes. On one hand, California does allow a person to collect and deposit ballots on behalf of others. But on the other… In the current climate of voter suppression and intimidation, do you really want to risk that their intentions are pure? Do you believe them that those boxes set up in reliably Democratic precincts will truly be delivered to county election officials intact and pristine? I wouldn’t. Use your county’s official ballot boxes or drop your ballot at an office.
I know it’s a hassle. But this year, getting every vote counted is important beyond words. As a recent New York Times op-ed noted:
On Wednesday … David Leonhardt wrote about the battle Democrats and Republicans are waging over voting rights. “In almost every instance,” he noted, “Democrats are trying to make it easier for Americans to cast ballots, and Republicans are trying to make it harder.”
The Voter Suppression Tipping Point
Early polling stations
States that operate physical polling stations for early voting in person officially close that option off before Election Day. Here are the remainder that close early voting options before November 3, again courtesy of The New York Times.
| Nov. 2 | Alaska, Arkansas, California, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New Jersey, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, Vermont and Wyoming |
If you’re in Washington (a mail-only state), the deadline to get your ballot in the mail or a ballot box (see this post for a photo of what one looks like in case you’re in any doubt) is Election Day itself. Again, unlike some other states I could name, WA counts mailed ballots received after November 3rd as long as that date is the postmark.
Voting by Mail
A majority of Americans will be eligible to vote by mail. Below is when your mail-in ballot must be either postmarked or received in each state. The Postal Service has said that it may not be able to meet deadlines for delivering last-minute mail-in ballots.
By the way, these states operate remote-only (mail-in or drop in a ballot box) voting systems: Colorado, Hawaii, Oregon, Utah and Washington. And have done so safely and reliably for years.
| When ballots are due | |
|---|---|
| Nov. 2 | Alabama, Iowa, Louisiana, Mississippi, New York, North Dakota, Ohio and Utah |
| Nov. 3 – Election Day | Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin and Wyoming |
Election Day
If you haven’t voted already, you can go to the polls to do so in person. Remember Michelle Obama’s words: Make a plan for how you will vote safely on election day. That may involve bringing a cane that converts to a seat, a couple of protein bars and a water bottle. Bring a book (our British friends at The Independent have some suggestions). Charge your phone the night before, and be ready to take photos or video of anyone hassling people waiting patiently in line.
If the race is close, a winner may not be announced on election night. Let’s make it a Democratic landslide, so the result cannot be tampered with by Republican governors tinkering with electors, shall we?
Banner photo by Element5 Digital from Pexels