As an American citizen and a voter, I’m strongly against the proposed rule which would change how we vote by mail. “Proposed Postal Service rule could risk ballot delivery in Wisconsin,” June 11.
Voting is a fundamental right and freedom which should be available to all eligible voters.
I am disabled. I walk with a cane because I have a knee that is bone on bone. Standing in line to vote is impossible for me. I have voted in every election since I turned 18. I am now in my 60s and I have no intention of stopping. At the same time, I do not receive benefits as someone with a disability. In the eyes of the present “administration” I am not disabled and would be denied the right to vote by mail.
This proposal is illegal, impractical and impossible to implement. It turns the United States Postal Service into a nationwide election administrator — a role it was never intended to play and one at odds with its core mission of delivering the mail. The USPS should not adopt this proposed rule and help protect our votes instead.
And really, don’t the folks at the USPS already have enough to do?
Brenda W. Quinn, Shorewood
Voting power of citizenry can restore balance
“Voting is our superpower!” reads a protest sign. And yes, in these times, when the president, Congress and the Supreme Court put political affiliation over the rule of law, the voting citizenry may truly be the only power that can restore balance.
Alarmingly, with a major election ahead in November, that power is challenged. Postal requirements to vet mail-in ballot addresses may seriously impede their timely delivery. Threats of federal troops at polling places may scare some voters into staying home. Challenges to the election process itself might cause enough distrust that many voters may shrug off voting. Contested ballot results may affect the timing of congressional actions otherwise overturned.
All that is piled on top of longstanding impediments to voting such as work, distance and disability. Predictions are we’ll see a historically low turnout.
What to do? Rescind post office processing of absentee ballots. Respect that it is illegal for troops to patrol the polls in times of peace. Eliminate absentee ballot counting delays — allow them to be opened, ready to count when polls open.
And these options, promoted for decades but never actualized: Employers must give half a day off to vote. Employers must give a whole day off to vote. Elections are held on Saturday. Election Day is declared to be a state or federal holiday.
Might any of these happen by November, or at all? Only if we demand that.
Suzanne Powell, Milwaukee
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This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Mail-in voting rule proposal was illegal and impractical | Letters
Reporting by Letters to the Editor, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
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By Letters to the Editor, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel | USA TODAY Network
