Apr 17, 2024 2 min read

The headline “No ‘cure’ for defective mail-in ballots in Washington County” in the April 12th edition of the Observer-Reporter points out an important issue which should concern everyone.

Washington County employs staff to assure the votes of our citizens are counted. Mail-in voters should always be made aware if their ballot is not accepted and they should be allowed to correct issues. The goal must be an accurate and complete count.

It is also critical to realize that this attempt to disqualify lawful voters is not happening in isolation. Across America, officials have made voting more difficult for targeted groups of people using tactics like excessive voter ID requirements, moving polling locations in selected areas, eliminating early voting, purging voter rolls of valid individuals and, like here, suppressing mail-in votes.

Voter suppression has largely been promoted by Republicans disguised as securing “election integrity.” In fact, voter fraud has not been a problem. Right-leaning courts have weakened the Voting Rights Act. Things like gerrymandering, where districts are shaped to allow politicians to pick their voters, rather than voters picking their representatives, have been used by both political parties. It’s an appalling situation that must change. Free and fair elections accessible by all qualified voters should be the national standard. No group or individual should be allowed to manipulate the system to obtain any office.

We should all embrace the right of every qualified citizen to exercise their right to vote, and the principle that the person who receives the most votes is the winner.

Donald Fitch

Amity