Here's how easy it is to vote by mail in Oregon

TO: People in states that don't already have 100% vote by mail
FROM: An Oregonian (me!) who loves vote by mail
SUBJECT: How easy it was for me to vote today

First, I want to emphasize that you shouldn't believe anyone, such as Donald Trump, who claims that vote by mail is beset with problems. It isn't. For quite a few years Oregon has had vote by mail for every election. Screw-ups are very rare. Fraud is virtually nonexistent. 

With that out of the way, here's a brief description of what I had to do to cast my ballot today in the May 19 primary election. In short, not much.

(1) Yesterday I got an email from Marion County Elections that told me my ballot was about to arrive in the mail.

(2) Today my ballot did arrive. This is the return envelope.

(3) I sat on a stool at our kitchen counter and completed the May primary ballot in about five minutes. I could have done it sooner, but I needed to check the Voters Pamphlet about the candidates in a few races I wasn't familiar with.

Also, I had to spend some time gazing at the name of my wife, Laurel Hines, on the ballot -- first time she's appeared! I also wrote in a few names of neighbors who, I'm sure, would love to serve as a Democratic Party Precinct Committee Person. Or, maybe not.

(4) This year I didn't even need to stick on a stamp to mail my ballot. The Oregon legislature passed a law that requires prepaid postage on every return envelope. This afternoon we went to Minto Brown Island Park for a dog walk along the Willamette River, so along the way I mailed my ballot on the same day I received it.

Bottom line: I have no idea why every state doesn't use 100% vote by mail for every election.

It makes perfect sense at any time, but extra perfect sense in this COVID-19 time. We Oregonians can cast our ballot without coming close to another person. In my case, I did, but it was just my wife -- who soon will have the title of Most Exalted Precinct 788 Democratic Committee Person. 

Comments

[Skyline]

I received my democrat primary ballot.
Yes. I'm still embarrassingly registered as a "DO Nothing" democrat.
I think I will save the county the postage as there were only 2 names of interest to me.
1) Laurel, but she's a shoe-in so she doesn't need my vote.
2) Kurt Shrader, who is THE ONLY democrat I have voted for since Bill Clinton. I'm sure he will win easily with or without my vote.
So in this primary I think I will earn my badge as a "Do Nothing Democrat" like most of the candidates and just set it out.
The general election will be an ENTIRELY different story however.
I'm looking forward to my votes cancelling out ALL of Brother Brian"s!
:D