General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsIf there is a 2% error rate on mail in ballots
2.15 million votes would be cast aside roughly the population of New Mexico.
https://www.usatoday.com/in-depth/news/investigations/2020/10/08/rejected-mail-ballots-projected-major-factor-2020-election/3576714001/?fbclid=IwAR1nwI2qCrU0FS5BhXzSUGwspk0SFn5GeJNWNaBCRFXJCANJ0LfQyrq3hEA
still_one
(92,217 posts)their mail in ballots, including signing and dating the ballot
Hoyt
(54,770 posts)it's not like all the votes that have an issue will be for Democrats.
PTWB
(4,131 posts)Assuming voters from both parties spoil their ballots at roughly the same rate, if Democrats are 5 times more likely this year to vote by mail due to Covid, we will lose 5 times more ballots than them.
It is a big deal.
Hoyt
(54,770 posts)but it's not that hard to follow directions and I don't think we are as stupid as some folks seem to think.
I know Democratic organizations are, even in my rube-state, helping people follow the requirements and putting out PSA.
Jersey Devil
(9,874 posts)If more people vote overall due to mail in ballots there would still be a net gain in total votes.
Awsi Dooger
(14,565 posts)It's not merely a matter of preference and voter intent. Those mail ballots have to bypass all the road blocks to be received and counted.
Some won't arrive in time, no matter the emphasis. Others will be spoiled. Since Democrats will vote by mail probably double to Republicans, more of our votes won't count. Basic math and logic. That is especially true since so many first time mail voters will make careless mistakes like not using the security envelope.
I don't know how to estimate the loss rate. Hopefully it will be somewhat offset by prior non-voters deciding they'll try it if all they have to do is stick something in the mail.
Drop boxes are not a factor. Only a fraction will go that route. Let's default to real world common sense and not fanciful visions. Specialized forums like this one inflate outlier mode to absurd degree.
Rice4VP
(1,235 posts)I dont have the patience to fill out most forms and I dont like going to the post office and we dont have drop boxes.
LisaL
(44,973 posts)As mail in vote became much more popular because of covid.
But by the same token, if not able to vote by mail, how many people would not vote at all?