MAIL: A great way to vote

Voting by mail has several advantages over traditional polling such as being cost effective, increased participation among voters and it is easier for election officials to conduct. It also allows for voting lists to be more up-to-date. Best of all, it gives voters a longer opportunity to study the ballot and find answers to their questions.

In Oregon, between 1995 and 1997, counties saved over $1 million on three vote-by-mail elections. Oregon has gone to all mail-in balloting which has sites where voters may drop off their ballots without paying postage if they do not want to pay postage.

Voting by mail is more convenient for voters and that it increases turnout. I have traveled to a city in Oregon and asked several residents how they felt about voting by mail. Most told me that they liked the idea. Oregon Secretary of State Phil Keisling not that “During the 15 years that Oregon has held! mail elections, only one case of fraud has been prosecuted.”

Idaho currently has the Absentee Voting. Why not make it easier for all eligible Idaho voters to make their voices heard by voting by mail?

JOHN PAIGE

President

Idaho State Association of Letter Carriers