Satisfied with the VBM (vote by mail) system and see nothing wrong with it? You may not have to worry about your mail-in ballot being taken and filled out by another or feeling intimidated. Other families may not have that option. That is why we have precinct-level, private polling booths to cast our secret ballots.
There are many problems with the VBM system all over our country and you can go to the web site, "The no vote by mail project" and read over 80 articles about these. Incidents happening in our county include individuals not receiving their mail-in ballots, double ballots being mailed out increasing the cost of elections, and family members filling out other family members' ballots. A mother passed away and the children took her ballot filled it out and sent it in. Other problems with the VBM system are fraud level increases, vote buying schemes being implemented, ballots becoming lost, misplaced or stolen.
Are we choosing to ignore all these problems? The integrity of our voting process is at stake. In some strictly limited cases, mail-in ballots are necessary, such as our military, missionaries or health challenged individuals, but for the majority of the population, we should be going to a public polling place to secure our rights to a secret ballot. Research verified the paper ballot as the lowest cost and most secure form of voting.
Taking the process out of the hands of the precinct-level polling place is taking it out of the hands of the people. Turning it over to a few at the recorder's office invites manipulation and we wouldn't know the difference. Many have been sworn into public office to uphold and defend the Constitution, but once in a position of power, they choose to ignore this divinely inspired document.
None of us are safe from losing our secret ballot right. Recently, Marla Young, Box Elder County clerk, stated there are Utah legislators drafting a bill making it mandatory for the whole state to use the VBM system. We need to protect the local level precinct private polling booths in order to cast our secret ballots.
DeAnna Hardy
Brigham City
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