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I know that America has trained you to think you can solve any problem with more capitalism but buying stamps is not what's going to ensure a fair election. Hate to break it to you but we never have fair elections. Suppression & disenfranchisement is a constant reality. (thread)
I think it's in our best interest to focus on things we can organize around to ensure a better (still not fair) election and take some comfort in knowing concerns about the post office disappearing have been around for years and it's still here.
These are results from pre-2016 election about how we need to save the post office: https://www.google.com/search?biw=1242&bih=630&tbs=cdr%3A1%2Ccd_max%3A11%2F1%2F2016&tbm=nws&sxsrf=ALeKk03Ef9DhfRAoaWYdS91M0v-UaqJg3Q%3A1597509478380&ei=Zg84X8jsFu_A0PEPnZe34Ag&q=save+the+post+office&oq=save+the+post+office&gs_l=psy-ab.3..0i433k1.21151.23908.0.24002.20.10.0.10.10.0.91.825.10.10.0....0...1c.1.64.psy-ab..0.20.844...0.0.AekZu4p9HsM
People paying more attention is usually a net good. But I think people are wondering what they can do besides turning their ballots in early or dropping them off in person. It's important to remember, voting is a state's rights issue.
In CA, if our ballots are postmarked by Election Day, they will be counted as long as they arrive within 17 days. This is the longest standing grace period and was in the works BEFORE the new postmaster general took over because we are in a PANDEMIC. https://thefulcrum.us/voting/california-will-count-ballots-arriving-17-days-after-theyre-cast
VBM rules, largely, are BAD. Lots of states DO NOT accept ballots if they arrive to election officials past when the polls close. Not arrive at the post office. Arrive to ELECTION OFFICIALS. Thousands get tossed every election under *normal* circumstances.
This is mostly up to date info on state deadlines for election officials to receive mail ballots. https://www.ncsl.org/research/elections-and-campaigns/vopp-table-11-receipt-and-postmark-deadlines-for-absentee-ballots.aspx
Here are some education campaigns you can push for from your county registrars, secretary of state, voting rights non-profits, etc. and protections you should encourage your state to adopt. You should contact your STATE LEGISLATURE about this, not your US reps.
-Educate people about WHEN they have to request a VBM ballot. Some states try to trick you into thinking being able to request until the last second is hip and cool but it's not given the stringent rules about receiving. Do not settle JUST for the request timeline being extended.
-Count votes that are postmarked OR scanned by a tracking system on election day. (Also worth noting, if you take your mail in person to a post office, you can have them postmark it in front of you.)
-Extend how many days ballots have to be received by voting officials.
-Include pre-paid postage for return envelopes for all VBM ballots
-Educational campaigns about signing the return envelope as it is one of the main reasons VBM ballots get tossed.
-Include pre-paid postage for return envelopes for all VBM ballots
-Educational campaigns about signing the return envelope as it is one of the main reasons VBM ballots get tossed.
-Require outreach to voters whose signature is ruled as not matching the one on file so they are given the chance to address this issue. (This happens to young and black voters more. Go figure.)
-Require a website where those that VBM can check the status of their ballot.
-Require a website where those that VBM can check the status of their ballot.
I hope this is helpful! Just want people to know that they don't really *need* to do any of this shit people are scared they're doing. Everything they need to fuck this election is already on the books.
