The early voting option, increasingly popular amongst citizenry, has become a salient hallmark for modern elections since the start of the new millennium. A remarkable growth is evident in the number of states allowing this facility since 2000, when only two dozen states featured that provision. The ongoing year alone has seen a wave of 14 new laws passed in no less than 11 states, substantially widening the avenue to extend ballot casting for voters. This unequivocal democratization of the voting process, as elucidated by the Center for Election Innovation and Research, signals the fact that most adults in America now reside in states permitting pre-Election Day voting.
The formulation and implementation of expansive election laws concerning absentee voting, accompanied with the possession of mail-in ballots, has become a standard practice. Amidst the surges of the COVID-19 pandemic, a record-breaking number of over 100 million American citizens cast their ballots early during the 2020 presidential elections. This statistic was reported by the Washington Post, affirming that such voting conveniences cater to a diverse pool of electorates, including those with compromised health conditions and others who face barriers in transportation.
With every passing year, the virtue of early voting forms an increasingly integral part of the democratic exercise. Offering flexibilities to voters, and bolstering voter turnout, it stands as an inclusive option for citizens who may find physical voting on Election Day challenging. A majority of states in the country now provide this option, creating an accessible voting environment that doesn’t constrain the voters to a single day.
Fast forward to 2024, and the laudable practice of early in-person voting is offered by 46 states and the District of Columbia, as confirmed by a comprehensive report from the Center for Election Innovation and Research. An impressive total of 37 states from this collection do not even necessitate a reason for the voters to exercise their right to mail-in voting. This liberal practice encompasses approximately 97% of the citizen voting age population in the U.S., as shown by data from the U.S. Census Bureau.
Yet, in a seemingly inexplicably bizarre twist, 12 out of the 14 states that bar the broad-based mail-in voting for all citizens have Republican majorities within their legislative assembly. This curiously inconsistent stance runs contrary to the blossoming early voting trend sweeping across the nation, underlining the need for a re-evaluation of voter accessibility laws.
The popularity of early voting, whether accomplished through mail or conducted in person, has been steadily on an upward trajectory since 2000. The U.S. Census Bureau recorded a substantial increase in the voters resorting to mail-in ballots in this period, shooting up from a modest 10.2% to an imposing 31.8%. The gravity of the COVID-19 pandemic precipitated an unprecedented explosion in early voting, with 69% of voters making their decision before Election Day.
By the time 2022 rolled around, we saw the sparking evolution of voter behaviour, where almost half of all voting citizenry cast their ballot even before Election Day. Wide-ranging election reforms taking root nationwide is dynamic, with laws both accelerating and decelerating voting access being enacted in crucial battleground states across the country.
However, a peculiar counterproductive trend emerged post the 2020 presidential election, with ten states crafting laws that actually truncated the application window for absentee or mail-in ballots. Not only does this raise a new administrative barrier for voters but it also seemingly contradicts the growing preference for early and mail-in voting across the nation.
Additional restrictions have also been imposed on the availability of ballot drop boxes in another eight states. It goes without saying, most of these are competitive swing states like Georgia and North Carolina, not to mention those with intense down-ballot contests such as Iowa, Ohio, and Florida.
Nevertheless, the year has been marked by numerous breakthroughs in enhancing voter participation. More than a dozen laws geared towards expanding access to voting have been passed since the year’s inception. States like Virginia, Washington, and Oregon stand at the vanguard of this democratic expansion, each innovating with two fresh laws.
Democrat-led states, understandably, are at the forefront of this drive to dilute voter restrictions, often pursuing policies that Republicans feel are stretching the boundaries of secure and reliable voting standards. Still, it is heartening to note steps being taken to facilitate voter participation, even though the intentions behind such strategies may be hotly contested in certain circles.
But incontrovertibly, the move towards early voting appears to be a wave that is washing over the whole country. Irrespective of the various motivations and political backstories, this emerging phenomenon represents a dynamic shift in the democratic landscape, promising a more inclusive and participatory future for citizen engagement.
Despite some tenuous reservations, it is evident that the ethos of early voting is gradually weaving itself into the fabric of the American democracy. As new laws continue to tweak the administrative elements of the electoral process, the allure of early voting seems set to endure.
In conclusion, the evolving landscape of vote casting in America is reflective of the shared democratic spirit. Battling administrative hurdles and pacing with the rapidly transforming voting preferences, the country stands firm on the path for extending the ballot casting rights to every citizen, while underlining the essence of each vote in shaping the nation’s future.
Democrats Attempt to Compromise U.S. Election Integrity with Alarming Voting Laws appeared first on Real News Now.
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