Letter to the editor: Mail-in voting will have consequences

“Your check’s in the mail.” Who remembers that one? Even if the check wasn’t in the mail, it neutralized the receiver. In some cases, the check was not mailed but the sender could blame it on the post office and delay payment.

The Democratic Party plan to deal with the covid-19 pandemic is simple. Why vote at the polls when you can mail your vote in at any time? It’s easy, convenient and safe. The plan, however, is ill-advised and ill-conceived. Unintended consequences will have a chilling effect on the republic.

When I worked in government, we mailed hearing notices. The system worked well in most cases. There were times when a taxpayer failed to show up for a hearing and lost. Taxpayers claimed they never received the written notice.

Advocates of the “your vote is in the mail” concept are asking for trouble. After a close election, one candidate wins. That decision may be held up in the courts by citizens who will ask the elections board to prove that their vote was received and counted. How will the county disprove the alleged voter claim that it was mailed?

This scheme invites fraud, which overturns elections — based on a voter claim after the fact. “Count each vote. Each vote counts” will still be a rallying cry by some. Once upon a time, dead people voted. Do we want an election system that puts steroids in a vote count? Be careful what you wish for.

Mike Suley

Scott