Voting by mail has historically increased turnout in the five states that conduct their elections almost exclusively via post. And increased turnout typically hurts Republicans. So President Trump's latest baseless rally against absentee voting could help his re-election chances (even if it is hypocritical).
And since there's always vote-by-mail news these days:
- The Supreme Court decided not to review Texas' tough rules for voting absentee, by far the biggest (and potential battleground) state that's done nothing to make remote voting easier during the pandemic. Friday's order declined to reconsider the decision of a federal appeals court. The main argument of Democrats now is that Texas law amounts to age discrimination — because people younger than 65 need a specific excuse to get an absentee ballot but older folks don't.
- Arizona voters better make sure their ballots arrive by Election Day because the state is not worried about postal delays.
- California, on the other hand, doesn't care if your ballot shows up almost three weeks late — still counts.
- In Missouri, absentee ballots have to be notarized, but a new lawsuit is hoping to get that requirement scratched for the 2020 election.
- Could Arkansas finally see no-excuse absentee voting (at least during the pandemic)? There's a lawsuit for that.
The inspectors general have had a rough go of it as of late. But Republican Sen. Chuck Grassley of Iowa, who has been known for his love of government oversight, is hoping to help them out.
Wondering how patriotic your state is (or isn't)? WalletHub's new report can tell you.
Have a little fun this weekend and test your Electoral College smarts with our new quiz.
Wear your mask. Wash your hands. Stay safe.
— Tristiaña Hinton