United States Postal Service (USPS)
Finally, a note on voting by mail and the United States Postal Service (USPS). Voting by mail in this election will be critical to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Voting by mail is also a secure way to cast our votes, and each of us must accept our personal responsibility to request and return our mail-in ballots in a timely fashion to meet deadlines. Data does not support the notion that voting by mail helps either political party. Finally, while we have advocated for federal support for increased mail-in voting, keep in mind that data shows that mail-in voting is not necessarily the best option for all areas of the country, particularly rural areas and areas with large Indigenous populations. We must continue to ensure reasonable access to polling sites or voter centers.
Role of USPS in Voting…
The USPS connects millions of Americans to vital services beyond delivering and returning ballots, and we are grateful for the hard work of the employees of the USPS particularly during this pandemic. While there are some underlying concerns surrounding the Post Office that require our attention, the reality is more complicated than it may seem. We must stay diligent about the information we consume, avoiding misinformation wherever it may arise, yet still responsive in our advocacy to direct our requests in the most effective and precise way possible. While we are encouraged by Postmaster General Louis DeJoy’s statement concerning USPS operations now and through the election, we hope that the reality of the coming months matches the high standard of service outlined in his statement and exhibited historically by the USPS. Our election depends on it.
Photo by Pope Moysuh on Unsplash
Moving forward…
We must continue to monitor any restrictions on the right to vote and insist on fairly conducted elections. Having just passed the 100th anniversary of the 19th Amendment that granted eligible women the right to vote, may we remember that then, as now, some Americans are still not able to vote or to access fair representation, often through indirect ways. Our democracy requires our participation through exercising our right to vote and our diligence in expanding and maintaining that right for all.
Photo by Tiffany Tertipes on Unsplash
Resources for combatting Voter Suppression
American Civil Liberties Union - Block the Vote: Voter Suppression in 2020
A comprehensive list of voter suppression methods, as well as a list of advocacy and litigation efforts aimed at protecting voting rights
And Still I Vote
A campaign to raise awareness about voter suppression, started by The Leadership Conference of Human and Civil Rights. Their site and social media accounts provide a wealth of educational materials.
Brennan Center for Justice - Vote Suppression
Reports, expert briefs, proposed solutions, and other resources to educate the public about voter suppression
Demos - Combatting Wrongful Voter Purges: A Toolkit
A toolkit to help local leaders and communities identify and act on the warning signs of a wrongful voter purge and to understand how federal law restricts such purges
How to help the post office: Things you can do to support the USPS right now
An article with four tips on how to support the USPS, a service that it crucial for support mail-in ballots
League of Women Voters - Fighting Voter Suppression
Information about the League of Women Voters’ year-round efforts to combat voter suppression through advocacy, grassroots organizing, legal action and public education
More Than a Vote
A coalition of athletes and artists combating systemic Black voter suppression by educating, energizing, and protecting the Black community.
The Sentencing Project - 6 Million Lost Voters: State-Level Estimates of Felony Disenfranchisement, 2016
A report on the scope and distribution of felony disenfranchisement in the United States as of the November 2016 election.