The Future of Voting: Vote-By-Mail
When it comes to voting, not everyone does it. As a
society, it becomes the right of the people to have voting rights and to
actually do it; it is one of the fundamentals to a healthy society. People vote
for laws, the president, and more, so not just one powerful group can run the
show. However, in the U.S., voter turnout is typically lower than other
established democracies. The voter turnout average ranges from 40 percent
during the midterms to 60 percent during presidential elections. This is
extremely low compared to international standards. In countries with compulsory
voting (it is required by law/it is mandatary to vote), their percent averages range
from 70 to 90 percent. Australia, Belgium, and Chile hovered around 90 percent
voter turnout during the 2000s. That is an extreme difference compared to
national numbers.
So, how do we get people to vote?
Oregon could help us solve that.
In 2018, the U.S. hit 49 percent voter turnout during the midterm-a 50 year high. However, Oregon beat that by reaching 63 percent.
Oregon automatically registers anyone who proved citizenship
by getting their Oregon ID or driver’s license. 90 percent of eligible voters
are now registered in the state. Not only that, but in Oregon, they also allow
online registration and vote-at-home. This means one could easily register at
home and mail in their ballot and not physically have to go out and vote.
A.K.A. it means that it is even easier to vote. Without the hassle of having to
find transportation and finding a voting booth, it is even easier to get people
to send their voting ballots in by mail.
With the percentages there, it makes it an obvious choice for other states to consider automatically registering people and even allowing vote-at-home. This process could undoubtedly increase voter turnout for the entire nation and could change the country as a whole.
Note: There is no national standardized data set for voter turnout.
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