Voting is your right and your responsibility – now, more than ever

We are facing a critical presidential election in just two months, on Nov. 3. You might be asking yourself many questions as the election approaches: How do I fulfill my right to vote while also staying safe? Can I mail in my ballot? Will my mail-in ballot be counted?  

Before addressing these questions, the first and most essential point is that voting is not only your right as an American, but also your responsibility. Despite the realities of COVID-19, there are safe and legitimate ways to vote. The power of the individual vote is crucial to ensuring the strongest American value, democracy. 

Throughout history, we have seen mass mobilizations to encourage Americans to vote, and we must not allow anything to jeopardize this, despite the tumultuous time we are living through. As we approach this presidential election, we are facing many challenges that might hinder us or raise concerns: chronic low voter turnout in America, which can be attributed to a number of factors; a global pandemic that has made many fearful of gathering at polling stations; and a historic wave of voter-suppression campaigns that make voting harder for certain populations. 

Except for the pandemic, the other factors are not unique to this time. But there are currently many other concerns, making it more important than ever to make your voting plan now.  

According to the Business Insider website (www.businessinsider.com), approximately 138 million Americans voted in the 2016 presidential election. Although this may sound like a lot, that was only about 58% of eligible voters, well behind the typical turnout in other developed countries.

In the U.S., unlike in many countries, Election Day is not a federal holiday, often making it difficult for people to get to polling stations. Partly to remedy this, many states are instituting early voting, mail-in voting and other strategies to get out the vote.

Unfortunately, many of these efforts are being countered by voter-suppression campaigns, which include requiring more difficult and longer registration periods, banning early voting, purging voter rolls and toughening voter-ID requirements.  This is what we face as we approach November. 

According to the Brennan Center for Justice at New York University, there is no evidence that mail balloting increases electoral fraud; there are several anti-fraud protections built into the process to make it difficult to impersonate voters or steal ballots. 

Even so, to make sure your vote counts, you must request a ballot, mail it early, and ensure that it is postmarked by the deadline. If possible, request your mail-in ballot today – and then be sure to put it in the mail or drop it off at your local Board of Canvassers prior to the election.

No matter how you do it, make a plan to vote. Also, check with your friends and family members to make sure that they have requested mail-in ballots or determined another way to vote. 

If you are planning to vote in person, wear a mask and be prepared for a slightly longer wait at the polls. If you have other concerns or questions, go to the Rhode Island Secretary of State’s office, at https://www.sos.ri.gov, for more information. 

STEPHANIE HAGUE (shague@jewishallianceri.org) is the director of Community Relations at the Jewish Alliance of Greater Rhode Island.