Like many Erie County residents, I am very interested in the outcome of the 2024 presidential election. As you can also imagine, I take elections and voting seriously.I am an elected official myself, I formerly served on the Erie County Board of Elections as a member of County Council, and I've voted in every election, both primary and general, since I was eligible.I've also voted by mail since the pandemic because of its ease.The greatest benefit of voting by mail, as I see it, is that for some offices where I may not know the candidates(s) well, I can sit down to my computer, Google information while enjoying a cup of coffee and fill out my ballot as I go along.
Any time we expand access to democracy, the big winners are the United States of America and its citizens. The more each of us participates, the more we fulfill the Founding Fathers desire for an active and informed citizenry. Our institutions survive only if our citizens work to make sure they survive. At its core, the bedrock of a democracy is citizens voting.
Unfortunately, Pennsylvania has missed the boat on one key aspect of increasing voter turnout, increasing the use of mail-in ballots.After reading a recent NPR article about the bipartisan support for mail-in voting in Erie County, I am as hopeful as ever that the current situation will soon change for the better.Three political party standard-bearers from Erie County, two Republicans and one Democrat, all endorsed the practice of mail-in voting for various reasons.
Both major party chairmen, Democrat Sam Talarico and Republican Tom Eddy "see advantages when it comes to mail-in voting: It allows voters more flexibility and makes it easier to vote, thus boosting turnout,"NPR reported. Democrats have long endorsed the use of mail-in balloting so Talarico's point of view is unsurprising.The comments by Republican Chair Tom Eddy and other Republicans are welcomed, even if they face an uphill climb among their ranks.Although he admits many Republicans think mail-in voting is fraudulent because "Donald doesn't endorse it," Eddy believes his party must "embrace mail-in ballots." While also in support, State Senator (and Republican) Dan Laughlin admits to Donald Trump's "disservice" to mail-in voting by "continuing to bad mouth mail-in ballots."
If increased mail-in voting is the goal, then the ease by which citizens can cast their mail-in ballot must also be simplified.Currently, citizens can cast their mail-in ballot by putting it in the mail.Simple enough, but this becomes more problematic as Election Day draws near because the postmark on your ballot envelope is meaningless.Unless the ballot is received by 8 p.m. on election night, it is not counted.This is a problem our state legislature could rectify in short order by allowing ballots postmarked by Election Day to be accepted and counted — as they once were.They should also clarify that mail-in ballots not dated, or mail-in ballots not placed in the secrecy envelope within the mailing envelope are valid, again, as they once were.Neither of these perceived problems constitutes a critical error that calls into question the intent of the voter.In states that embrace mail-in voting, these concerns have been successfully addressed.
What can local Board of Elections do?
As noted, some election fixes are the commonwealth's responsibility.What can our local Board of Elections do to expand mail-in balloting?Expecting a voter from Corry, Albion or Washington Township who does not trust the U.S. mail system to deliver their ballot in time to drive all the way to the Erie County Courthouse to drop off their ballot is unreasonable.I have submitted two proposals to the Election Board for consideration.One proposal would place a drop box in a public building in each of 14 additional communities dotted throughout Erie County to be as fair as possible to rural, suburban and urban voters.The second proposal would place drop boxes at the Erie County Public Library branches, plus Union City or Corry.
In short, mail-in voting has bipartisan support at the highest levels in Erie County, and throughout the country for that matter, because it's effective, secure, and increases turnout in elections.There has not been a case of credible fraud reported in Erie County regarding mail-in voting, let alone a conviction.Across the country, instances of actual voter fraud, beyond just mail-in voting, are few and far between.When it has been prosecuted, the scale of the fraud has been so minor it wouldn't have altered the outcome of the respective election.If the security of the drop boxes is an obstacle to expanding their number, then put them inside the building or only outside where a security camera is available.Anything is a step forward toward a more perfect union.
Ballots could be collected by, at least, one of two means: 1) by election workers or 2) by teams of duly sworn volunteers or per diems, one Democrat and one Republican on each team. The Election Board can work with local party chairs to recruit these persons.
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Any minimal, increased cost to the conduct of elections is offset by the importance and benefits of increased participation in our electoral system.It has been done in other communities. It can and should be done in Erie County, and it should be done before the upcoming presidential election so that as many voters as possible participate in what might be the most important election in our great nation's history.
Kyle Foust is the Erie County Controller.
