Across party lines, 70% of Americans support the option of voting by mail amid coronavirus pandemic
Across party lines, 70% of Americans support the option of voting by mail amid coronavirus pandemic
by Aysha Qamar, Daily Kos Staff
https://m.dailykos.com/stories/1941398
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As the novel coronavirus continues to disrupt lives and activities worldwide, elections are no exception. States across the country have postponed elections in efforts to curb the spread of the pandemic. Americans face the choice of either risking infection of the coronavirus or losing their opportunity to vote. A new survey by the Pew Research Center found that most Americans support vote-by-mail ballots.
While 33 states have the option of no-excuse absentee voting and five are voting entirely by mail, some, especially those dominated by Republicans in the South are not adjusting to changes amid the COVID-19 crisis, CNN reported. The survey conducted in early April amongst almost 5,000 adults showed that many believe the coronavirus would affect in-person voting; while 44% strongly supported the idea of voting by mail, 70% of participants across party lines favored the idea of any voter voting by mail if they chose to.
The polling data supports the fact that most people not only prefer not to wait in long lines but don’t want to risk dying or getting COVID-19 due to in-person voting. Without the option to vote through mail openly many, especially Democrats, feel less confident in the fairness and accuracy of the November election. According to the data, several believe with mail options being less strict all citizens will be able to vote, if they want to, and not be restricted by obstacles such as fear of the virus. This theory was proven in Kansas, where Democrats increased their turnout by more than three times from the 2016 presidential caucus after switching to all-mail primary ballots, the Kansas City Star reported.
Mail-in voting works, which is why it seems Republicans are so opposed to it. Earlier this month, Wisconsin voters stood in long lines to vote in elections amid the pandemic. Many of those who chose to practice safety measures were unable to vote due to a lack of absentee ballots—this furthers the reality that without the option to mail votes in, elections are conducted in an unfair manner.
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