For all the ways that the coronavirus pandemic has upended our daily routines, perhaps the most intriguing is a growing consensus that the best way to protect our democracy is to spread the vote-by-mail concept that has flourished for years in several states.
Not surprisingly, that big step toward what’s now called the “new normal,” has been controversial.
Five states – Colorado, Hawaii, Oregon, Washington and Utah – conduct all of their elections by mail, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. Twenty-one states decide other elections, such as for school board seats, by mail.
The NCSL acknowledges some advantages. Those who vote by mail report it is a simpler process and produces savings by making poll workers or voting machine purchases unnecessary. An added bonus is that by making voting easier, voter turnout has increased.
Yet the best advantage is that foreign interference with our elections could be stymied.