The focus is on the 2024 U.S. presidential election voting procedures and trends, which have stirred up conversations from states like Georgia to Florida.
Recent changes to voting laws and varying preferences among voters are shaping the political battleground as election day approaches.
For absentee voters in Georgia, the presidential election has officially commenced.
The state has allowed voters to start requesting mail-in ballots as of Monday, marking 78 days before Election Day on November 5.
Georgia law permits all registered voters to request absentee ballots without having to give any reason, aligning it with 35 other states offering similar provisions.
While voters eagerly request their ballots, they’ll need to wait several weeks until those ballots are actually mailed out.
By the time ballots reach voters, the Democratic Party is expected to finalize its presidential nominee after the upcoming convention.
Meanwhile, across Florida, voting trends reveal troubling signs for mail-in voting.
This year’s primary has seen mail voting drop significantly, largely attributed to new election restrictions and shifting attitudes post-COVID-19.
Election experts indicate the decline reflects changes initiated by state laws, which have made mail-in ballot access more cumbersome.
Daniel A. Smith, head of the political science department at the University of Florida, stated, “It’s making it more difficult for certain individuals to request vote-by-mail ballots.”
This year, mail-in voting has plummeted by 43% compared to the mail-in voting during the previous presidential election in 2020.
The drop impacts Democrats, who historically have utilized mail voting more than Republicans, with Democratic turnout down by 50% since 2020.
On the other side, early voting has taken off, with more voters opting for this option, particularly within Republican circles.
Early reports indicate about 13% of eligible voters turned out on Election Day itself, which is below the early voting totals.
Those who rallied on election day reminisce about the tradition and the responsibilities associated with voting.
Voter Donna Heally, with over six decades of voting experience, remarked, "It’s important; it’s not only a right but also a privilege many don’t experience."
Adding to the mix, some suburbs have taken controversial steps by removing ballot drop boxes entirely, which have been popularized during the pandemic.
Brookfield, Wisconsin, has become the second community within Waukesha County to deny drop boxes after New Berlin previously made the same choice.
Critics of drop box removal argue it restricts voting access for those unable to vote on Election Day, particularly the elderly and disabled.
Opponents of maintaining drop boxes suggest alternative methods of voting—such as mail-in and early voting—are sufficient.
This argument has sparked heated debates during public meetings, as not all community council members agree on the issue.
During the latest meeting, City Attorney Jenna Merten indicated there were several reasons to support the removal.
Those included arguments about the diminished risk of COVID-19 and concerns over security and follow-up record-keeping with drop boxes.
Yet supporters of drop boxes assert they provide needed accessibility for vulnerable populations, which cannot physically make it to polling locations within set hours.
One of the voices advocating for drop box accessibility, Julie Burish, emphasized the challenges faced by individuals with disabilities.
Her concerns reflect a broader conversation about voting accessibility, highlighting how changes can disproportionately affect specific groups.
With the elections coming closer, the overwhelming variations across states and localities will likely dictate the effectiveness and integrity of the voting process.
While some states like Georgia encourage absentee voting, others like Florida experience significant declines due to tighter restrictions.
This diverse narrative of voting—melding opportunities and challenges—continues to evolve daily as we edge closer to one of the most consequential elections.
For many, voting is both duty and privilege, and how they execute this right may sorely impact the nation’s future.
