Since the upcoming presidential elections is just months away, feelings of uncertainty are mounting to a dramatic pinnacle. With the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, it is looking unlikely that in-person voting will be easily accessible when Americans will cast their vote. Where there are so many issues on policy, it seems that the logistics of mail-in voting could cause the most unexpected controversy of the 2020 election.

Why Is Everyone Talking About Mail-In Voting?

Due to the difficulties posed by the onslaught of coronavirus within the US, it is becoming more likely that the dynamics of voting will be considerably different to previous elections. State and local officials across the country are in debates about how it is best to adapt voting without jeopardising the health of its citizens. Fears of voter fraud, the politicisation of a public service and rampant voter suppression remind us of the current day injustices. There is no doubt that President Trump’s vocal disdain surrounding the 2020 election will stoke the fires of confusion and apprehension within an already divided America.

What Is the USPS, And Why Are Democrats So Concerned?

“Push back was led by political figures such as President Barack Obama, 2016 opposition candidate Hilary Clinton, and of course, provided ammunition for Democratic nominee Joe Biden and his VP pick Kamala Harris.”

The United States Postal Service (USPS) is the official public postal service and a government agency; one which relies on the revenue of mail and packages, instead of taxpayer dollars. The role of the board of governors (who appoints a postmaster general) aims to distance any political influence. However, the board’s members are all appointed by the sitting president and approved through the Republican-controlled Senate, evidently welcoming the possibility of plucking partisan political strings.

Current Republican appointee Louis DeJoy was the first postmaster general in more than 20 years who didn’t come from within the agency itself. It was reported that over 600 mail sorting machines were being decommissioned. This is around 10% of the service’s machines. To counter this aggression, the Postal Service has said it “routinely moves equipment around its network as necessary to match changing mail and package volumes”. Push back was led by political figures such as President Barack Obama, 2016 opposition candidate Hilary Clinton, and of course, provided ammunition for Democratic nominee Joe Biden and his VP pick Kamala Harris.

Donald Trump’s Views on Mail-In Voting, And Its Cataclysmic Impact on Voters

President Trump, as ever, gravitates towards the spotlight to make his opinions known. There has been no exception when it comes to voicing his opinions on mail-in voting. It’s been revealed that the president previously voted by mail on multiple occasions, whilst claiming that those who do so are ‘’cheaters’’ engaging in voter fraud. It appears that at the core of Trump’s scaremongering is self-deluded hypocrisy. 

 

IF YOU CAN PROTEST IN PERSON, YOU CAN VOTE IN PERSON!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 19, 2020

 

This is not the first time that the US president has fed the public misinformation surrounding mail-in voting. On the 13^th August, the president blatantly admitted to opposing the provision of funding to the USPS, as it would make it harder for Americans to vote by mail. More recently, on the 2^nd September, Donald Trump suggested that voters in the swing-state of North Carolina should consider voting twice in the November election, once by voting in-person, and then by mail-in voting, to ensure that their vote is counted.

It should be clarified that voting more than once in an election is illegal.

Are Republicans Reveling in the Reactionary Voting System, Or Could This Prove to be Their Downfall?

“In 2020, it appears that classism within the US is rife.”

This year has been historic for a myriad of reasons, yet it appears that America’s voting system continues to conform to a certain degree of political feudalism. The fact that the US voting system still upholds many standards from its founding in the 18^th century demonstrates its archaic policing of the vote. Voting is one of the modern freedoms that US citizens enjoy, so why is there so much tangible anguish for those marginalised or disenfranchised?

The basis of the voting system saw the prioritisation of affluent, white men who, in their privilege, exerted power over political life. In 2020, it appears that classism within the US is rife. Those who are considered as key workers or are in low income jobs face difficulties in getting to the polling stations on time as they are forced to choose whether a vote is more important than providing food for their family. Furthermore, zip codes determine the availability of the nearest polling stations to your area, something which may detrimentally affect those who are in a less well-off socioeconomic position.

Arguably, the most severe injustice surrounding the voting system is perhaps not how you vote, but whose vote counts more. At its core, America’s controversial electoral college raises questions surrounding the superiority of states and its historical ties with racism. Republicans are therefore struggling to reach new voters – whilst they may find comfort in die-hard supporters of Donald Trump, it is unclear as to whether those swing states will follow the Republican party into a second term of Trumpism. 

Whilst there appears to be a complicated dichotomy towards mail-in voting, the coronavirus pandemic has once again caused tensions to rear its ugly head. To voters, the stakes are higher than ever in 2020. These chasms illustrate that this issue isn’t one marked only by divisive politics.

Voting in America seems to be more about excluding voters rather than providing a voice to belong.

Liv Williams  

Tweet to @1311oliviawills

Featured image courtesy of Tiffany Tertipes on Unsplash. Image licence found here. No changes were made to this image.