Cost, hassle of stamps questioned as mail-in voting surges

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — Even if it weren't for her disability and fear of catching COVID-19, Delinda Bryant said getting the necessary postage to cast a ballot this year will be a struggle.

Bryant, 63, doesn't have $10 for a book of stamps, a printer to make them at home or a working car.

“My car needs its transmission fixed, but my utilities are so high I can’t afford it,” the south Georgia woman said in testimony for a federal voting rights lawsuit. “Ten dollars for a book of stamps is a hardship.”

As more states embrace mail-in voting amid the coronavirus pandemic, the often overlooked detail of postage has emerged as a partisan dividing line.

-snip-

Lawsuits filed in Florida by the Democratic super PAC Priorities USA, in Georgia by Black Voters Matter and elsewhere argue that stamps constitute a monetary requirement akin to an illegal poll tax. Voting-rights groups say stamp requirements are another impediment that hits lower-income and minority communities hardest.

“Charging money for the right to vote is unconstitutional, whether it’s a penny or a dollar,” said Sean Young, legal director of the ACLU of Georgia, which is representing Black Voters Matter. “Many voters lack internet access. Many voters lack a credit card, which is required to buy stamps online. One voter did not receive his book of stamps for two weeks after he ordered it.”

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/elections-2020/cost-hassle-of-stamps-questioned-as-mail-in-voting-surges/ar-BB16TXKC?li=BBnb7Kz

The postal service in my state, Washington, will deliver ballots without a stamp. There are also many secure ballot drop boxes.

[llmart]

1. I don't know if it's like this in every state...

but in Michigan if there's no stamp they'll deliver it anyway. If that's the case then why can't the return envelopes all be "No Postage Required"?

[Amaryllis]

13. THat's how it is in Oregon now.

[Liberal In Texas]

17. No postage required on mail-in in Texas.

Voted mail-in for the first time in the recent runoffs. And you can go on-line to check to see if they got it. Sadly, it's still only for over 65 and the disabled.

[babylonsister]

2. 2 stamps in Florida last time I voted. This is important. nt

[jimfields33]

7. Weird. It's free in Florida. Lake county anyway.

[babylonsister]

8. Brevard county here.

I wonder what the difference is.

[jimfields33]

9. the only thing I could think is that broward is too populated. Maybe.

Too expensive to provide postage? Broward does everything right so not really sure. Lake is ruby red so it’s not politics because repugs would love less voters.

[babylonsister]

10. No, Brevard, north of Broward.

Cocoa Beach, Melbourne, Cape Canaveral, etc.

[2naSalit]

3. Because went to all mail-in ballots

For this election cycle, the state has paid the postage, normally we would have to pay ourselves but can also just drop it in a precinct box on election day if not mailed on time.

[dawg day]

4. That would be sensible-- just to have to postage paid.

After all, it saves $ for a state not to have to staff hundreds of precincts and machines.

[Ptah]

5. Arizona: No postage necessary if mailed in the United States.

[RockRaven]

6. My mail in ballots have NEVER required postage and I've been voting by mail for decades.

But I don't live in a state or county that is purposely engaging in voter suppression by every damn route they can think of...

[Brother Buzz]

12. In California?

I vote my mail in California, and the FIRST time postage wasn't required was our March primary four months ago. Has your county been picking up the tab?

[RockRaven]

14. Yep, one of the SF Bay Area counties. Even before covid we were moving towards all mail-in.

Way back in the day, we used to get postcards in the mail from the county a couple of months before each election and you had to check the box, sign and return it by mail by a certain date to get an absentee ballot. And anyone could request one, no justification was required.

Then they allowed you to sign up for "permanent" absentee ballots, eliminating that postcard hassle and they'd just send you the ballot automatically, but if you failed to return a single ballot/vote in an election they dropped you off the list, and you would have to sign up for "permanent" absentee status again.

Later they allowed you to stay on the list even if you missed elections.

Then a couple years ago they experimented during an off-cycle local election (IIRC it was just a couple local ballot initiatives) being all mail-in.

And since then they've done multiple statewide election days as all mail in.

And, to the best of my recollection, all along the way the return envelopes for the ballots have always been prepaid/no postage required. I concede my memory could be in error, but that's what I remember.

[csziggy]

11. Voting should be free - our congress people can mail out crap to us for free

Why can't we vote for or against them for free?

It's bad enough that we have to spend money for a photo ID - and all the documents to prove who we are to get that ID - just to vote. Paying for postage is just more inconvenience and yet another poll tax.

[Skittles]

15. why does she need a book of stamps?

[Hoyt]

16. And, any local Democratic organization will be happy to help.

[fierywoman]

18. In WA state, where I live, it's 100% mail in ballot, postage free.