Voters and election officials are getting more clarity about voting by mail ahead of November’s midterm elections. This came after the Supreme Court blocked the Trump administration from imposing new restrictions on mail-in voting. Amna Nawaz spoke in more detail with Tammy Patrick of the National Association of Election Officials.
Amna Nawaz:
Voters and election officials today have more clarity about voting by mail ahead of November’s midterm elections. This comes after the Supreme Court last night blocked the Trump administration from imposing new restrictions on mail-in voting.
In a short, unsigned order, the justices left in place lower court rulings that bar the U.S. Postal Service from requiring special ballot envelopes or collecting sensitive voter information. The legal battle has upended state and local election plans, as some voters have already received their mail-in ballots by Election Day, just seven weeks from today.
This time Tammy Patrick joins us. She is the chief program officer for the National Association of Election Officials. She herself worked as an election worker in Arizona for 11 years.
Tammy, welcome back. Thank you for your participation.
Tammy Patrick, National Association of Election Officials: Thank you very much for having me.
Amna Nawaz:
So, from the conversations you had with state election officials today, what was the reaction to this latest Supreme Court ruling?
Tammy Patrick:
Honestly, everyone breathed a sigh of relief because trying to get election officials to implement this rule at this late hour was an almost impossible ask. As you said, the ballots have already been mailed.
So I think everyone is a little relieved that we don’t have to do this in the lead up to the November election and can focus on the task at hand and preparing for the future.
Amna Nawaz:
It is noteworthy that even after the ruling, some election officials are concerned that the situation is not over yet. We’ve seen the Justice Department send threatening letters to dozens of states to obtain voter data. Attorney General Todd Blanche was questioned today in the Rose Garden and said the investigation into illegal voting will continue.
He went on to say: Please listen.
U.S. Attorney General Todd Blanche:
What we’re doing with mail-in voting is not surprising. So we want to make sure that voting is safe and elections are honest, free and fair, and that one person casts one vote and that person is eligible to vote.
Amna Nawaz:
Tammy, what other actions are election officials preparing or anticipating?
Tammy Patrick:
The election professionals responsible for our elections work to uphold the rule of law in each state, comply with state laws to ensure that only eligible voters vote, and ensure that all voters have free, fair and unrestricted access to the polls.
So they will continue to do everything they’ve done in the past to protect our elections and make sure that election officials across the country are ready to serve voters and constituents in this moment.
Although this rule is not in effect, it is important that voters understand that there are still safeguards and safeguards in place to ensure that voting by mail, voting early, and voting at a polling place on Tuesday, November 3rd, remains a safe and viable option not only for election officials but also for voters across the country.
Amna Nawaz:
Attorney General Blanche was also asked whether the president’s challenge and all the court rulings are confusing the public about whether mail-in voting can be reliably used. He said he was not concerned about disruption.
you?
Tammy Patrick:
Voters are confused about what their options are.
Therefore, it is important for them to know that the rules in place in their state remain. Therefore, this rule is not in force. The rules that went into effect yesterday are still in effect across the country today. The only difference this time is that the postal service’s transportation routes have been partially changed.
Therefore, some emails may take a little longer. So people who want to vote by mail should apply early and use a drop-off box if that option is available in their state, or have their ballot returned early if they’re returning it at the post office.
Amna Nawaz:
Tammy, in just one minute, could you give us some advice for people who are confused about this and want to vote by mail, how can they make sure their vote is counted?
Tammy Patrick:
The most important thing for voters to do right now is to contact their state and local election officials and check their websites.
If you have any questions, please contact us. You don’t necessarily have to believe everything you see on social media. Then, read the information you receive carefully and be consistent in how you sign. Fill out your ballot and information accurately and completely. If you do that, there will be no problem.
As long as you make a plan and stick to it, you should have no problem participating in the November election.
Amna Nawaz:
Yes, I’m Tammy Patrick from the National Association of Election Officials.
Thank you so much, Tammy. It was nice talking to you.
Tammy Patrick:
Thank you so much for having me.