Podcast Summary
The 2020 US Presidential Election will be socially distanced with mail-in voting becoming the norm: Mail-in voting, where voters receive ballots in the mail and return them either through the mail or drop boxes, is expected to increase turnout, particularly among underrepresented demographics, and will be a crucial factor in the 2020 US Presidential Election.
The United States is gearing up for its first socially distanced presidential election, with mail-in voting becoming the new norm due to the ongoing pandemic. This election will look drastically different from past ones, with many people expected to vote by mail instead of going to polling stations. Mail-in voting, which involves receiving a ballot in the mail and returning it either through the mail or in a drop box, is different from absentee voting, which is usually used when a person is out of their voting jurisdiction. Some states, like Washington, Oregon, Hawaii, Utah, and Colorado, have been conducting their elections entirely by mail for years and have reported great success, with increased turnout, particularly among underrepresented demographics. Overall, mail-in voting is expected to be a crucial factor in the 2020 election, and it's essential for voters to familiarize themselves with the process to ensure their voices are heard.
Issues with mail-in voting in Georgia's presidential primary: Despite some successes, mail-in voting faces challenges, as shown in Georgia's primary where many voters didn't receive ballots on time or at all, leading to long lines at polling stations.
While some states have successfully implemented mail-in voting for years, the process is not without challenges. This was evident during Georgia's presidential primary, where the state sent out millions of absentee ballot applications but encountered numerous issues. Many voters did not receive their ballots on time or at all, resulting in long lines at polling stations. For instance, Stacey Abrams, a high-profile Democrat, had to resort to voting in person after her ballot didn't arrive, and John Ossoff, the Democratic senate nominee, had to wait in line for hours to cast his vote. These experiences underscore the importance of effective and reliable mail-in voting systems, especially during a pandemic when social distancing measures are essential. While some states have made progress, it's clear that significant improvements are needed to ensure that every eligible voter can exercise their right to vote in a safe and convenient manner.
Running two elections at once during a pandemic: Long lines, broken machines, and absentee issues plagued Georgia's primary elections, highlighting the challenges of conducting multiple elections during a pandemic without proper resources. Montana's mail-all approach served as a potential solution.
Running both a mail-in and in-person election at the same time during a pandemic without adequate resources is a recipe for chaos. This was evident in the primary elections in Georgia, where voters waited for hours in long lines outside in the summer heat to cast their ballots, only to find that several machines were broken upon entering the polling stations. The absentee voting process was also problematic, with many voters receiving their ballots too late or not at all. The elections administrator in Fulton County, which includes Atlanta, acknowledged that they were asked to run two elections at once and lacked the resources to do so effectively. Montana, on the other hand, served as a potential model for successful pandemic elections by mailing ballots directly to all registered voters, skipping the application step, and ensuring that ballots were counted as long as they were returned before the deadline. Overall, the Georgia primary elections served as a cautionary tale of the challenges and complexities of conducting elections during a pandemic.
Montana's mail-in voting success: Montana's high voter turnout in mail-in primary shows effectiveness, but applicability to larger states uncertain. Concerns of fraud largely unfounded, success depends on local election officials.
Montana's high voter turnout in the presidential primary, despite primarily using mail-in voting, demonstrates that this method can be effective when ballots are easily accessible to voters. Montana's success serves as a model for the potential of mail-in voting, but its applicability to larger states with more complex elections is uncertain. However, concerns regarding mail-in voting's susceptibility to fraud are largely unfounded, as documented evidence of widespread fraud is minimal. The ongoing efforts by some political figures to undermine mail-in voting and portray it as fraudulent have led to skepticism among certain voter bases. Overall, the success of mail-in voting depends on the commitment and organization of local election officials to ensure a smooth and secure process.
Mail-in Voting Debate: Implications for Both Parties: The mail-in voting debate in the upcoming presidential election is complex, with potential advantages and disadvantages for both parties. The president's opposition could discourage Republican voters, while the logistical challenges of a hybrid election pose challenges for all.
The ongoing debate around mail-in voting in the upcoming presidential election is a complex issue with significant implications for both parties. The president's opposition to mail-in voting is rooted in the belief that it could advantage Democrats, but his rhetoric could also be hurting his own reelection chances by discouraging Republican voters from trusting the mail-in process. Many states are preparing for a hybrid election with both mail-in and in-person voting, which poses challenges due to the resources required and the novelty of the situation for voters, administrators, and ballot counters. The consequences of this unprecedented election scenario remain to be seen, but it's clear that the stakes are high and the road to November could be bumpy.
Uncertainty in 2020 Presidential Election Results: Expect a prolonged wait for the final 2020 presidential election results due to mail-in ballots and potential mistrust, chaos. Prepare for long lines at polling places and mail-in voting issues. Nevada sending ballots to all registered voters to ensure safety and accessibility.
The 2020 presidential election results may not be known on November 3rd, as there will be a significant number of mail-in ballots that won't be counted right away due to various state rules and processing times. This uncertainty could lead to mistrust in the outcome and potential chaos, depending on how President Trump and Joe Biden respond. The country's patience will be tested, and the situation could be further complicated by long lines at polling places and issues with mail-in voting. Nevada's recent decision to send ballots to all registered voters is an attempt to ensure a safer and more accessible election. Ultimately, it's important for Americans to be prepared for a prolonged wait for the final results.
Legal battles over mail-in voting and financial investigations: President Trump is threatening to limit mail-in voting and faces a broad investigation into potential bank and insurance fraud.
There are ongoing legal battles surrounding mail-in voting and President Trump's financial investigations. Trump has threatened to take legal action to prevent mail-in voting and restrict it through an executive order. Meanwhile, the Manhattan District Attorney's investigation into Trump's finances may be broader than previously known, potentially examining bank and insurance fraud. The Supreme Court has ruled against Trump's attempts to block the investigation, and the pandemic has caused over 3,000 small businesses in New York City to permanently close, with approximately 75,000 businesses at risk of never reopening.
