Vote-by-Mail | A Reality Check

 Everyone is talking about voting in this election! People of all stripes and colors are standing up for themselves.  Americans speak their minds and never quit, even when the going gets tough, or when darkness sets in and steals light away from truth.

If you are at least 18 years old, a citizen of the United States, a resident of a state, and not a felon, you can vote. One person gets one vote. The stakes are high! This year is going to be a very close election and there is no telling who might win. Candidates are running neck and neck like a horse race. Your vote can really make a difference. 

How do you plan to vote in the 2020 election? Will you vote by mail or will you go to a poll on election Day, Tuesday, November 3, 2020?  You need to think how you will vote because some states continue to pass voter suppression laws designed to limit our voices. Some states have more restrictive voter ID laws in place. Your state might be one of them. That’s why it’s important for you to plan ahead now and know how you will vote.  Every state has a deadline for you to register to vote by mail, so you can stay safe and secure. 

In this issue of the Connector, Barbara Lloyd McMichael has written about how vote-by-mail can help to generate higher voter turnout. Her feature article explores what is going on with voting in Wisconsin, South Carolina and the state of Washington, as well as the current status and capabilities of the United States Post Office. Voting by mail has major ramifications for the outcome of the 2020 election. 

Statistically, if you take a COLD voter (who has not voted in the last 3 elections, only 10% will vote, but 60% will vote by mail; of WARM voters, 50% will vote but 86% will vote by mail; and of  NEW voters,  42% will vote but 84% will vote by mail. So, if more grass roots initiatives focus on getting people to sign up to vote by mail, many more people will turn out to vote. 

Each month we write about a library somewhere in America. Libraries face a special challenge during the pandemic and have shifted many of their services to digital delivery and are offering many types of programs, including book discussion groups via Zoom. In this issue of the Connector, we have the wonderful contribution made by Steve Sears, who writes about the beauty, value and excitement of having your own library at home. Steve Sears has written for community, state, regional, and national publications, both in print and online.

Remember to stay safe, secure, and vote!   –Patricia Vaccarino