This election pointed at many problems related to federalism issues - namely the disparity between election laws from one state to another resulting in unequal access to the voting booth.
I am delighted that the Green Party candidate chose to demand a recount in certain states where the outcome was questionable. I'm not suggesting widespread fraud or cheating, but rather questionable equipment, not having enough polls resulting in long lines and the like. If we don't learn from the mistakes that make this election questionable in time to correct them two and four years down the road, we are stupid indeed.
Our main goal should be to provide equal access to the polls and equal requirements to register and qualify to vote. I think there should be a role for the federal government to set standards to ensure this equality, even if it means overruling state's practices. I realize this is a touchy situation regarding the courts and constitutionality. We might need a constitutional amendment to accomplish this, and I confess to being leery of going that route. At the same time, these practices in many states affect my life and well-being the same way inequality of opportunity and well-being do. We must apply our best minds to finding a solution.
For instance, I find it unconscionable that there were excessively long lines in so many places. The fact that they were located in largely poor neighborhoods is significant. Too many people can't take time off from work to vote, have young children they have to take to the polls because of no child care, or are too elderly or infirm to spend that kind of time standing. I think a line of 20 or 30 people is the longest that can be tolerated.
Too many states have enacted laws requiring a picture ID at the polls before a voter can get a ballot. Again, this disenfranchises a large number of poor people because so many don't drive or have the money or opportunity to travel to obtain an ID. All these could be solved by instituting voting by mail like Washington does. It would solve the problem of long lines too, and the savings to the counties would be great as they wouldn't have the cost of renting polling stations and hiring people to man them. The cost of postage would be miniscule by comparison. I'd even be willing for the federal government to foot the postage cost of sending them out. This method requires alternatives to mailing them back, but drop boxes in libraries or other public offices would meet that need.
Mail ballots would also answer the problem of defective voting machines. The financial savings would be considerable if they were sold for scrap. Counties incur considerable cost in maintaining, warehousing and trucking them out and back to the polling places every election - not just every two or four years but all the lesser local elections in between.
To those who worry about possible irregularities with mail ballots, the opportunities are much fewer. It does require keeping the poll listings up to date. Therefore the voter has the obligation to notify the county auditor of any changes in circumstances, and death records must be kept up to date. Also, it helps that the post office cannot forward ballots. The problem of late returns delaying a count is not new. Currently every absentee ballot must be postmarked no later than Election Day or be returned to a designated ballot box before midnight that day. With all ballots mailed two weeks in advance, most are received early and are ready to be processed on Election Day.
This simple solution leaves no excuse for continuing the present unfair practices any longer. Now how do we convince other states? Too many corrupt politicians favor the present unfair status quo that they created. They don't consider our rights to fair, well-run national elections?
Lenna Harding grew up in Pullman and lived her first 20 and past 41 years here. She is a longtime member of the League of Women Voters and served on the board of the Gladish Community and Cultural Center.
