Inspired by a debate I'm having on FB

[frogger414]

Do you believe that postage should be prepaid for voting by mail?

Why?

ETA: Also, I am asking questions on your comments to help me fully understand your views :)

Also I am arguing with a socialist...

Comments

[scearley]

I'm not chuffed enough to say "yes" or "no" - there are plenty of places to drop off ballots for free as it is.

[frogger414]

Do you think dropping it off at a free location vs. mailing it is cheaper or more expensive?

[scearley]

I don't have outgoing mail at my building. So it's just as easy to go to the library to drop my ballot as it is the post office.

If you're really that desperate for postage, just write the address it is going to in the return address slot and have it returned for insufficient postage. That's how I mailed all my letters home when I was away for summer camps.

[frogger414]

Makes sense. I didn't consider that there are areas that do not collect mail so one would have to venture outside of their home to drop off their ballot.

What if one mailed their ballot without a return address and postage? I wonder if the USPS still will deliver it to the address

[badrobot68]

No, because I think anyone can afford a stamp. And if you can't, there are drop boxes you can go to.

And if you can't afford 44 cents, I'll give you a stamp.

[frogger414]

Do you think asking people to pay postage (if they cannot make it to a free drop off location) is making it so the poor is discouraged to vote?

[badrobot68]

Not really. But I'm sure most people are going to disagree with me.

[badrobot68]

And also, I look forward to reading all the answers to this post.

[thetar]

yes because the asshats on the king county council make more than enough money to cut their salaries to make it happen and not cops! and it is official gov business and their stupid jobs are dependent on our ballets.

[frogger414]

but voting isn't limited to county government, so what about state and federal issues that are also on the ballot? Does that change your mind? Why?

[thetar]

where ever the ballot goes back to should pay. so if there was a local thing then they should but i have never had just a seattle ballot that went to city of seattle and if i did then they can deal with it.

honestly i dont see why i cant have a drop box at a local library. i think king county is a bit lazy in their efforts. after all the folks in maple valley have how far to go to drop a ballet? http://www.kingcounty.gov/elections/voting/ballotdropboxes.aspx

i guess i am either old or grumpy or just tired of the of all their whining about their costs. srsly folks, go work in a for profit for stock company like i do and see how cheap we are on anything.

[frogger414]

My ballot goes to Renton but it had city, county and state issues on it. In 2008 it had the presidential race on there too, so that was federal.

I think your idea for library drop offs is a great one. I'm surprised there aren't more free drop off locations but I think they are trying to cut costs...

srsly folks, go work in a for profit for stock company like i do and see how cheap we are on anything.

Can you explain what you mean? Is your company (won't name it for your security as this is an unlocked post) cheap or do they blow through cash?

[thisiserika]

no, i think a stamp is a small price to pay, especially because we are afforded the luxury of voting at home.

[frogger414]

Do you think it's cheaper to vote by mail or IRL at the polls?

[thisiserika]

by mail, especially if you have to take a bus to get to the polls.

[frogger414]

Do you think voting by mail discourages the poor from voting? Do you think it discouraged people (rich or poor) to have to go to the polls?

[lightningflash]

No, I don't think it should be required. I'd rather have my taxes go towards schools or roads or something instead of postage. I use so few stamps that I'm still on last year's christmas-themed book of stamps!

Besides, it's not like they paid for the gas when people had to drive, or reimburse bus fare or anything. Why start paying now?

[frogger414]

do you think asking people to pay for postage and not offering the option to vote IRL discourages the poor from voting?

[lightningflash]

if someone is really that poor that they can't afford, beg or borrow a stamp, then I would have to question a few things:

1) where is their ballot being mailed to?
If they are renting or own a home, then how poor are they? If they are so poor they are homeless, how and where are they registered to have their ballot sent? Do they even HAVE a ballot at that point?

2) how did they vote in the past?
When it was IRL voting, they must have had some form of transportation via bus, car, taxi, walking, etc., and of those, only walking is free but could take time. So did voting IRL prohibit them from casting a ballot because they couldn't make it there?

I might have more, but those are the two big ones that spring to mind.

[frogger414]

Srsly Alan said he'd give out stamps if people asked, it's not that hard!

1. good point - I have to ask my friend what he considers to be poor. I think you have to register to vote via an address and an underpass ain't cutting it. Although I did argue that even panhandlers can acquire 44 cents to mail a ballot lol

2. That was what I was thinking but he said that argument carries no weight because it is in the past. Umm no. I think voting by mail is cheaper, more convenient and not that hard.

I should post screen shots of our debate for the lulz.