Think tank estimates $2 billion to carryout vote by mail in November!

[napi21]

https://www.politico.com/news/2020/03/19/2020-election-cost-coronavirus-138232

Sorry, another site that prevents copying text! The article breaks down their expenses into categories. It sounds like a really HIGH estimate to me.

With all the numbers being thrown at things is C, do you think we COULD get a yes vote on this?

[RandySF]

1. Pennies compared to the money saved from avoiding a new outbreak.

[Squinch]

2. Seems like lots of jobs and stimulus in that idea. Do it!

[Brother Buzz]

3. I'm able to copy it

Think tank estimates $2 billion cost to carry out November election during pandemic

The analysis comes as coronavirus wreaks havoc on the primary election calendar.



By MARTIN MATISHAK

03/19/2020 07:07 PM EDT


It would cost the U.S. up to $2 billion to adjust the country's voting processes in ways that would allow November's election to go on, even if the coronavirus pandemic persists, according to a new think tank study.

The cost would come from implementing nationwide changes like universal voting by mail, expanded online voter registration and increased public health safeguards at polling places, the authors at the Brennan Center for Justice estimate.


The analysis comes as the pandemic wreaks havoc on the primary election calendar, with several states opting to postpone their contests weeks, if not months, to slow the spread of the disease.


"There is no question that the Covid-19 pandemic presents a difficult and, in many ways, unprecedented challenge to America’s elections," the analysis says.

The costs include up to $1.4 billion for every state to ensure universal voting by mail, according to the preliminary estimate. Of that, as much as $593 million would be spent on additional postage costs, while $240 million would go toward bolstering absentee ballot processing.

In addition, the study says it would cost almost $272 million to maintain existing in-person voting systems, including for people without access to mail or the internet. The bulk of that figure, an estimated $140 million, would hire more poll workers and boost their pay.

The study estimates that another nearly $86 million would need to be funneled to states to "adopt and bolster online voter registration systems," while $252 million would be spent on raising public awareness.

[Autumn]

5. Not every state. We already vote by mail in Colorado.

[Brother Buzz]

7. California still has the option....

but around 70% vote by mail.

Interesting, California has a congressional special election runoff in April, and the governor announced it will be entirely vote by mail, with a few selected locations for dropping of a ballots or requesting another one. Voting by mail is the wave of the future.

[Autumn]

11. It has to be done. What was great about the primary this year is that it was vote by mail too.

No more caucuses. Voting should not be made difficult or be a hardship for anyone.

[napi21]

8. Thamks. Not sure why my usual way of copy/paste didn't work Maaybe Win 10? n/t

[Brother Buzz]

9. I've encountered it a few times, and I can't explain why, but I found opening a new browser page...

remedies the whole thing.

[Chainfire]

4. If that is the price of Democracy

We can afford it.

[TheBlackAdder]

6. Probably cheaper than setting up & staffing polling places, and half of votes are already by mail.

[Gothmog]

10. I like the Democratic proposal

Link to tweet

?s=20

[LiberalFighter]

12. Combining the total is a farce.

Determining the cost should be a state by state cost. Even going so far as making voter by voter.