Oregon's Voting method should be done nationwide!

[pat_k]

116. It's a dilemma.

As flawed as the implementation of the mail in ballot option in Florida is, I think I would go that way to have some sort of paper trail. But I agree. It doesn't sound like they've created a mail-in process that instills much confidence. And as cited by LisaL, the rejection rate appears to be way out of line -- and voters don't appear to be afforded the opportunity to remedy problems.

I find the way different voting systems are labeled confusing. When I was researching "early voting" states during the primaries, there was such a mix of systems. Some involved having to request mail in ballot. Some involved having early voting locations. Some had both. it think the "mixed" systems have problems of their own. As they make it easier to vote early, they tend to cut way back on polling places on election day, and end up overwhelmed because more people wait until election day than they were prepared for.

In states like WA, where they've implemented a system in which every voter receives a ballot by mail that they can mail back, bring to a dropbox location, or take to an accessible voting center (where trained people provide assistance to those who need help completing their ballot). Systems like WA and OR include ballot tracking, notification of problems... and apparently in CO you even get a text and/or email when your vote is counted. Downloading or picking up a replacement ballot is easy if you make a mistake or don't get it. The process for verifying registration and eligibility described sounds very solid. I'm sure there are ways specific implementations could be improved, but as far as I can tell WA and OR have done a very good job of addressing potential concerns, and eliminating the sorts of problems that plague so many other state's elections.