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Utah is #4, Hawaii #5 100% VAH. Mailed-out ballot model is spreading.
We know that mailed-out ballots make access to secure voting equal for ALL citizens, whether a senior or disabled voter with trouble getting to the polls, a rural voter far from a polling place, a parent working two jobs, a first responder whose schedule can be preempted, a family with sick kids, a student, or any other real-life reason.
So, it was good to see progress across the country. Some legislatures are still active, but here is what we know - with an updated map for your reference.
- Step 5: Transitioning to full "Vote at Home (VAH)" status, joining the three previously existing states: CO, OR & WA
- Step 4: "Permanent absentee list" authorized
- Nevada passed a bill giving all voters this advantage
- Step 3: "No excuse absentee" authorized
- New York passed the first step in a Constitutional Amendment
- Michigan voters passed Measure 3 in November by a 2:1 margin
- Other positive developments
- Alabama allowed disabled voters "permanent absentee" status
- Florida addressed some of their mailed-out ballot issues, including the time to cure signatures and county to county consistency.
- Idaho allowed very small precincts to Vote at Home
- Kansas adopted the vote center model and better signature curing
- Postage-paid return envelopes became law in Oregon and Washington. California already offers this. Hawaii will in 2020.
- Still in process - as of this writing
- Potential Step 5 bill for Washington, DC (would be first in the East)
- Potential Step 3 no excuse absentee Constitutional Amendments
- Massachusetts
- Pennsylvania
- Visible signs of progress - watch for more in 2020
- A Step 3 no excuse absentee bill in New Hampshire passed both chambers - but was facing a potential veto by Governor Sununu
- A Step 3 Constitutional Amendment passed the Delaware House with the 2/3 needed, but fell just short of 2/3 in their Senate.
- A Step 4 bill in Minnesota passed their House
- A Step 4 bill in Alaska passed two committees in their House, now targeted for a floor vote in early 2020. A Step 5 bill was introduced.
- A Step 3 bill in Missouri passed one committee in their House
- A Nebraska bill to remove their 10,000 voter limit and so allow all counties to vote 100% VAH almost got out of committee
- A Wyoming bill for a county-option VAH missed getting out of committee by just one vote
For those interested in more information, we suggest our updated Policy and Research Guide with everything you might want to know about improving access to and best practices for mailed-out ballots. Check it out here. There is also a link to our full Reference Library (with research, best practices, media coverage) on the home page of the NVAHI web site, as well as from the button below.
To contribute to the cause to get more voting options to more Americans, go to www.voteathome.org/donate
Nothing is stronger than an idea whose time has come.
Vote at Home's time has indeed come.
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