Here is some general voting information with links on how to move forward with your personal voting process!
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What's working? What's not?
A. Access (Absentee/mail-in vote)
i. Record highs for mail in turnout reported in Iowa as of June '20.
1. This was achieved by extending the deadline from 29 days to 40
2. As an accommodation for the pandemic, it was important voting be accessible
ii. Mail in votes account for 80% of Nebraska votes amidst pandemic
1. Handled and publicized efficiently by the state, no laws were changed
2. In person voters were provided masks
3. Mail in voting will be the key to the 2020 election.
iii. Costs and benefits of mail-in system according to The Thread
1. (PRO) Cheaper over the long run
2. (PRO) More widely accessible for all citizens
3. (PRO) Safer for voters and volunteers, beyond just pandemic concerns
4. (CON) However from 2000-2012, absentee accounted for ~24% of voter fraud.
5. (CON) Although history indicates that mail in voting spikes upon introduction and then stagnates back to previous levels.
6. (CON) Initial investment and installment of a mail-in program is expensive
iv. RESOLUTIONS
2. More effective promotion of program
3. Online voting and mail-in vote system made available automatically to each household, like the census.
4. IT can help determine successes and failures of tech in elections.
Access to polls can be hindered by any number of issues including but not limited to work, transportation, inability to commit time to standing in line, bodily safety.
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VOTING IS RESTRICTED FOR PRISONERS COMMUTING SENTENCES AND FOR SOME CONVICTED OF FELONIES, THE RIGHT IS DENIED FOREVER.
Corey Brettschneider is a professor of political science at Brown University, read why he thinks inmates should be allowed the right to vote.
Pro/Con presents non-partisan, side-by-side arguments on felons being permitted a vote in and out of prison.
Detailed opinion piece on the disenfranchisement of convicted felons and why prisoners and the like should be allowed to vote. More here on the how this is a racial issue.