Fred Taylor wrote an opinion in the East Valley Tribune, 10/20/06, regarding the positive effects of voting by mail. Proposition 205 makes it a reality.I agree with Mr. Taylor’s views and believe it’s a positive influence and opportunity that more Arizonan’s will take advantage of. Voting by mail benefits in many ways:o Business wins by not losing business hours in order to allow their employees to go to the polls.o Disadvantaged populations such as those with disabilities and the elderly are more likely to vote because it’s convenient and accessible, whereas now it may be a burden and prevent many from voting.o Since property taxes pay for the election process, Taylor mentions Proposition 205 could benefit residents by capping those taxes. According to Taylor, when compared to Oregon who adopted this method in 1999 - reports saving over $3 million per year with voter participation tripled - Arizona having 2 million more residents could save between $6 - $7 million dollars per year. o The AZ Secretary of State Pamphlet on Propositions gives more information. If Proposition 205 passes, it would eliminate the current required sample ballot to every household with a registered voter - saving the state about $1.7 million in election years. The cost to send a ballot to each voter would increase, but city and county governments would experience a savings because of the reduction in polling sites and related expenses. The voter would benefit by the postpaid ballot.o Voters will be better educated - having 15 days to read the ballot and decide how they want to vote before mailing it in.o University of Oregon survey revealed their state’s participation went up dramatically. Female voters up 32.9% - Working voters up 33% - Voters 18-38 up 40% - Disabled voters up 48% - Homemaker voters up 51.6% - Minority voters up 78%. That’s significant!o Another startling statement in the AZ SOS Pamphlet was Oregon no longer will have only 20% of the voters determining the candidates and for city bond elections only 6% of the voters deciding how much their property taxes will be. Two states currently use vote-by-mail and are satisfied; Washington and Oregon and would not recind it. To me it’s practical, potentially gives greater access to voters that would vote-by-mail more readily than having to go to a polling station. Perhaps more importantly - it makes the voting process and outcomes more fair and balanced - not left up to a few.
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