American Beauty Berries
I always feel the movement is sort of mosaic. Each of us puts in one little stone, and then you get a great mosaic at the end. Suffragette Alice Paul.
Paul’s words speak specifically of the Women’s Movement pushing for the 19th Amendment: the right for women to vote; however, it’s also applicable to voters. Be a part of the American mosaic: vote early.
In normal times, I would hold a voting column until next month. But these are not normal times and they cause us to reconsider our every action. While Covid-19 has changed lifestyles, it certainly should not be a reason that we refrain from voting.
Voting by mail
For many of us seniors and those with underlying medical conditions, voting by mail offers security that we can still vote and stay as safe as possible. The known culprit for the spread of Covid-19 has been crowds.
No matter now many applications for ballots we may receive in the mail, we need to request an absentee ballot only once. Election offices are being inundated with duplicate applications.
For those concerned about postal delays, I have one suggestion. If we want to vote absentee, we need to get our one and only application in now. Georgia began sending out ballots September 18 to those eligible voters who have applied.
As soon as we receive our ballots, we should complete them and mail them back immediately. Most of us already know for whom we are voting. No matter how the new postal system regulations may slow the mail, if one mails early, ballots should reach their destination on time.
Election officials explain that when an office sends out an absentee ballot, the name of the voter is so marked in the register of voters. A real headache for local officials come when someone requests an absentee ballot, but does not return it and shows up on Election Day to vote. It takes time to validate a voter for his/her one and only ballot.
It is a felony for someone to vote absentee, then show up at the polls to vote again. Remember, every voter is checked and double checked at the local polls every Election Day. Election officials will work to avoid the irregularities that showed up at some sites in the state during primary voting.
Election officials remind, “Please sign your ballot.” One of the biggest problems with absentee ballots have been voters forgetting to sign their ballots. Signatures are matched against the one on file.
One more concern has been a visible post mark. Ask the person assisting you to take it in the post office and watch the agent stamp the date clearly.
Drop Boxes
After I complete my ballot, I will drive to the election office in my county and place my ballot in its drop box. Election officials say they retrieve ballots from the box several times each day. National news reports that other cities and towns have also installed secure drop boxes, most under surveillance.
Early voting
My favorite way to vote has long been early voting and election officials are encouraging voters to consider this option. I look forward to returning to this method after I have been vaccinated for Covid-19. But if you are leery of mail-in ballots and afraid to vote in the general election, I suggest that you take advantage of the three weeks of early voting, from Monday, October 12, through Friday, October 30 in Georgia.
Just like any polling place, early voters in Georgia must show a valid state or federal ID. In small towns, one can keep watch and go when the line is short. Because people tend to procrastinate, the earlier one goes, the shorter the lines. Wear a mask.
Election Day
And finally, if you choose not to vote by mail nor during the early period, wear a mask to your polling place November 3, not only to protect yourself but your fellow citizens. It is a scientifically proven way to prevent the spread of the virus. Observe social distancing.
While politicians may play games with elections, our election officials, poll workers and postal service employees work hard to offer American citizens a tremendous service. I commend them everyone for assisting every eligible voter to have the opportunity to vote. We, the voters, need to make their jobs as easy as we possibly can.
With an increase in absentee ballots, pundits predict a delay in results while mail-in ballots are counted. That will be a problem only for TV commentators who want to announce the winners before midnight on Election Day. However, if Covid-19 has taught us anything, it’s patience. We may not like it, but we cannot have instant everything for the time being.
Be a part of the American mosaic: vote early.
2020
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