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Vote by Mail -- Research Report � Common Cause � � �c��c�N �� fa'�at�lrrx�� t�a�t �•ra �ix; ° �taarr��r �plr� you are here: �iome > Vct2 by tlail -- Rc:searLh Repqr't ��- iil Till° SE�'�Ic�Ci ..� �-�� t�lr�ney In Poiitics Electior� Reform Government Accnuntabi€ity �thics i�� Gavernm�nt Media and Dernocr�cy Int�rr�a�ion�l Press Center Research Center Vote by I�lail Elec�ions Vote By Mail (VBM) elections can incre�se turnout by four ka fiv� percenCage points in general elections and signiFicantly more in loca] or off-year electfons. Rather Yhan sparking participation among cirizens who never vot�, it appears �hat t�e added cpnvenience nP voting by mail serves primarily to retain higher participation among those �oters who tend to vate in general elections by making it easier for �hem tp vate in traditionally louver- interest local, special, or nonpartisan electians. Attachment B Page i of 2 �`� _ .�o�n c�r��o� caus� �__ . � � . t�x .a-�.?�rF�_er:r. : _,� �� rv s�c�;� u�a Among the ather benefits of mail balloting are a reductian ��s�� q in logistical problems associated with in-person votir�g on ��0�� r� Edection Day, a reductian in pall-worker requirements, �r1��1� ��'sion o€ increased opportunities to conduct �oter mobilization, our "Vote By Mail° minimizin khe a eal of Iast-minute attack ads F��°��` 9 pp , providing more time for voters to filf out Cheir ballots, the pakentia! to s�ve boCh Yirrte and money, and dekerring fraud mare efficiently rhan photo-ID rec�uirements used +vith in-person polling. There are alsa some patential problems with vnting �y mail, but Chese can be mitigaCed or eliminated �y using the Pallow€ng recommended practices for Vore 8y Mail eiections. Recammended Vote hy �9ai1 Prac�ices 1} El�ction officials should provide candidates, parties, and interest groups with free lists of registered voters and update them at Ieast twice a week as baNpts are returned so that candidates, parties and voters can see whose i�ates have been received. 2) Voters who do not wish to vote by mail shauld be able �o cast ballots in private booC�s at vote centers staffed with trained election workers in the days leading up to and on Election �ay. �} Vote by mail programs should adapt the prackice of requiring voter-s k� si:gn baflat envelopes and comparing those signaCures to the signatures on the voters` registratian files.. Election workers must alsa use statewide da�abases to enst�re tl�ar onEy one ballot is cast per uoter. 4� VBM shouid nat be viewed as a solution ta the deeper problem of complete non- participation by much of the efig{ble eleetorate. Other measures must be taken to address the lack o� civic involvement that reduces the q:udlity af our collecYive decision-ma king. S) In stat�s Chat currently have perman�nt absentee voter programs, mo�ing ta elections where every registered vater is mailed a t�ailot shauld reduce the ciemographic disparities in voter turnout because the benefirs of added convenience apply to ali voCers rather than Chose who selF-sefect to part"tcipare in the program. 6) In VBM elections, balEats must be se�t ta all reg€stered. voters, i.ncluding inactive voters. 7} Vote by maii elections shouid #�e heavily publiciz�d via mailings, newspaper ads, hftp://wi�w.commoncause.org/site/pp.asp?c-dkLNK1MQIwG&b-379Q039 2/2/2009