My experience with the 'non-voter' is not one of apathy, but as Barb says, one of disgust, cynicism, or mistrust.

That said, mail-in absentee voting is an important tool for college students who otherwise would not vote, and as Mark says, elders who cannot easily get to the polls. In the old days, pols would mobilize volunteers to drive elders to the polls. I did this in 1984 and 1988. Carloads of little old ladies all day long. Mail-in ballots eliminate that waste of resources.

The issue, which we saw in Florida in 2000 (what voting issue DIDN'T we see in FL in 2000?), is political activists "helping" people fill out their absentee ballots and "making sure they vote for the correct people". This is a practice which is detrimental to democratic systems.

But, mail-in ballots in and of themselves are fine. They are trackable, verifiable, and auditable.

Eric Oines
Lind-Bohanon
North Minneapolis

"When I despair, I remember that all through history the way of truth and love has always won. There have been tyrants and murderers and for a time they seem invincible, but in the end, they always fall - think of it, always."
~ Mohandas K. Gandhi (1869-1948), Agitator


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