I live in Washington state and can attest to the practicality of the mail-in ballots and pre-election booklets that are mailed to every registered voter. It's not only convenient, but extremely helpful to have not only information on the candidates, but proposed ballot measures and amendments all in one booklet. There are ballot boxes in central locations where you can drop your ballot, just like mailing a letter, or you can just mail it in a prepaid envelope. Oregon provides similar booklets and information. These mailings take place for primaries, general elections and special elections. The Secretary of State oversees the process.
The only problem that took place last year were 2 fires in the ballot boxes, one in Portland and one in Vancouver. They unfortunately destroyed a number of ballots, however, people were asked to contact the election board if they could show there ballots were placed in these specific boxes within a certain time span. I don't know how many ballots that were destroyed were actually replaced.
There was a slight decrease in the percentage of people who voted in the 2024 presidential election, due to a multitude of factors, which is entirely another discussion. It seemed older adults were the most consistent in returning the ballots, whereas there was a significant drop from younger voters. The problem seems to be getting younger folks registered, educated, and enthusiastic, not with the accessibility or distribution of ballots.
I live in Washington state and can attest to the practicality of the mail-in ballots and pre-election booklets that are mailed to every registered voter. It's not only convenient, but extremely helpful to have not only information on the candidates, but proposed ballot measures and amendments all in one booklet. There are ballot boxes in central locations where you can drop your ballot, just like mailing a letter, or you can just mail it in a prepaid envelope. Oregon provides similar booklets and information. These mailings take place for primaries, general elections and special elections. The Secretary of State oversees the process.
The only problem that took place last year were 2 fires in the ballot boxes, one in Portland and one in Vancouver. They unfortunately destroyed a number of ballots, however, people were asked to contact the election board if they could show there ballots were placed in these specific boxes within a certain time span. I don't know how many ballots that were destroyed were actually replaced.
There was a slight decrease in the percentage of people who voted in the 2024 presidential election, due to a multitude of factors, which is entirely another discussion. It seemed older adults were the most consistent in returning the ballots, whereas there was a significant drop from younger voters. The problem seems to be getting younger folks registered, educated, and enthusiastic, not with the accessibility or distribution of ballots.