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A measure allowing mail ballots for elections was introduced in Topeka last week. We believe the proposal should get a thorough examination as it might hold the key to boost sagging turnout and reinvigorate the electorate.
Currently, Kansas counties that choose to do so can use mail ballots for ballot issues but not in elections for local, state or federal office. The Elections and Governmental Organization Committee will have hearings on whether all elections could be included.
In our eyes, the pros of allowing such a process far outweigh the cons.
Opponents of mail-in voting usually cite security concerns of the ballot, the ability of others such as a family member to influence how an individual votes, or that having to buy a stamp to return the ballot constitutes a poll tax.
Proponents traditionally argue for the method's cost-effectiveness (by eliminating polling places and workers to run them), convenience of voting at home, extra time to investigate issues or candidates once in possession of a ballot and, most importantly, the dramatic increase in participation.
We believe the security concerns of the postal system are not valid. Governments and individual citizens alike utilize the post office to send tax returns, refunds, passports, birth certificates, etc. Likewise, voters easily could have the option of dropping their ballot off at the county clerk's office so as not to incur the 41-cent charge for a stamp.
We're not quite sure how to address the charge that family members could influence what should be a secret vote. Surely there must be experts from either domestic services or political science who might have that solution.
But it's time for a change. Turnout of registered voters is considered high today when it surpasses 50 percent. That figure diminishes even further when considering all the eligible voters.
We are convinced participation in the democratic process would increase dramatically if we simplified the system and allowed mail-in ballots.
At this time, too many very real security issues would prevent us from endorsing voting by computer -- although that does appear to be a potentially logical next step. For now, we strongly urge the Legislature to examine and approve the mail-in procedure.
Editorial by Patrick Lowry
plowry@dailynews.net
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