Mail-in voting should be a pandemic priority

The most important thing Americans do for our democracy is vote. That's the basis for everything from our local officials to the President of these United States. But we shouldn't have to take a chance, or possibly expose the election officials, to the virus by voting in this pandemic.

Many states already vote exclusively by mail. All of the states should follow their example. Counties already have the process in place to vote by absentee ballot. By including all voters we can save countless lives, and isn't that the goal in a pandemic? The life you save could be yours. Even the president voted by absentee ballot last time.

Fraud is often given as a criticism by opponents, but proof is never found to back up the claims. The Mueller Report did spotlight deficiencies that need to be addressed to protect against foreign or domestic hacking. These problems should be addressed by increasing election security, but bills designed to do this are sitting in the Senate majority leader's desk. Cyber security should concern everybody.

Our Post Office is an integral part of our Nation, and would play an even bigger part if we all vote by mail. We should all support the work they do. It keeps America going.

Call the auditor's office, ask for an absentee ballot, for health, weather, or other reasons.

Call our Senators and urge them to support the National Disaster and Emergency Ballot Act. No one should die because they cast a vote.

Jan Patterson

Marion