Via the Election Updates blog at CalTech, I came across an interesting study examining the demographics of folks who vote by mail in California.
While the demographics are fascinating to election stats geeks, there is a different aspect of the report I thought I’d share:
The expanding number of registered voters who are permanent mail ballot registrants is related to the increase in the share of mail ballot votes cast in California primary elections over the past five years.[...]
There are many reasons for the growing popularity of voting by
mail in statewide elections in California. These include the following:
- Voting by mail extends the “voting window” from a 13-hour period on Election Day to a four-week period, and allows a voter to vote at his or her own pace and in a setting of his or
her own choosing.
- Voting by mail enables voters to avoid precinct-related inconveniences, such as bad weather, long lines, or fears of going to an unfamiliar place to vote.[...]
- County registrars have been increasingly encouraging mail ballot voting within their jurisdictions as way to reduce election costs.
- Growing concerns about the security of electronic voting machines have made the old-fashioned mail ballot a more attractive option, since it provides a paper trail of each ballot cast.
Why can’t we get vote-by-mail available in more places in the country?
For example, consider my wife, who is disabled because of a car accident. Every election she either has to gamble that she’ll have a good day on election day, or re-request an absentee ballot.
Me, I telecommute, but sometimes have to head in to the home office or on the road with little or no notice, which makes it potentially difficult to secure an absentee ballot if I need it.
Somehow, we do end up voting more than most. However, it’s hard not to look at the expectations that 50% of Californian voters will vote early, by mail, and not be a bit envious.