— from Congressman Rick Larsen —
Voting rights are critical to a functioning democracy. In 2016, I was a vice chair of the first congressional caucus dedicated to voting rights. We worked to educate folks about voter suppression tactics, inform them of their rights as voters, and draft legislation to protect voters from suppressive and discriminatory tactics.
The fact that so many people face barriers to casting their ballot is destructive to our democracy. And the latest hurdle? Safely and effectively navigating the 2020 elections in the midst of a pandemic.
Folks should not have to choose between exercising their constitutional right to vote and putting their health at risk — that is why I have come together with my colleagues in Congress to support national, emergency vote-by-mail ballots.
Washington state knows the benefits of voting by mail, including that it:
- Breaks down barriers for seniors, working families, people with disabilities, and young voters.
- Uses unhackable paper ballots that can be recounted and audited by hand.
- Gives people the time and safety to vote from the convenience of their own home, allowing them to avoid long lines, limiting polling hours, and missing work.
Despite what the president claims, it is well-established that democracies work best when everyone who can vote does vote, and every vote is tamper-proof and secure.
Never let a crisis go to waste. “Vote by Mail” has been available for a long time, it’s called Absentee voting and any REGISTERED voter can request it and… vote by mail. No need to overhaul the system when it already has a provision to vote by mail.
Great idea. It would be convenient for people to vote by mail nationally as they do in Washington state. Some states could perhaps pay the postage as we do as well. A lot of working people and those who are taking care of family and children and holding multiple jobs should not be disenfranchised from voting.