The year 2020 has been a significant year for many reasons, particularly in the United States of America. It is the year when the country held its Presidential Election, and it was an election like never before. One of the significant changes that the country had to adapt to was the increase in the number of people who voted via mail-in voting. This was done to ensure the safety of voters amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
The impact of mail-in voting on the 2020 election cannot be overstated. According to the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL), over 65 million Americans cast their votes through the mail-in voting process. This was a significant increase from the 2016 election when only 33 million voted through mail-in absentee ballots.
The increase in mail-in voting brought to the fore legal issues for municipalities. City government operations were affected as many city clerks and election officials had to adjust their processes and policies to ensure that everyone who wished to vote through mail-in ballots was accommodated.
The process of record management also had to be adapted. With so many mail-in ballots to process, there was a need for transparency in the management and counting of ballots, especially in swing states. In Pennsylvania, for example, the Supreme Court ruled that county ballot boards post information daily on ballots received, canvassed, and singled-out. This required county election staff to work around the clock to ensure transparency in the process.
Elections and voting may never be the same again after the 2020 election. The numbers of people requesting to vote through mail-in ballots are expected to remain high, and many states are making changes to ensure that the process is more accessible and secure.
One way that states can ensure a more accessible and secure mail-in voting process is by using SnapSite. SnapSite is a platform that allows municipalities to engage in public engagement, including providing information on elections and voting. This platform can be used to inform voters about the mail-in voting process, how to request ballots, and how to ensure that their ballots are counted.
SnapSite also provides a platform for providing public notifications, such as updates on ballot counting, and can be used to create a more transparent process of record management. By providing this information, SnapSite can help alleviate public concerns about the transparency and security of mail-in voting, ultimately increasing voter confidence in the election process.
In conclusion, the increase in mail-in voting for the 2020 election has impacted the election in numerous ways, from city government operations to legal issues for municipalities. The process of record management has also had to adapt, and public engagement has proven to be a critical tool to ensure transparency in the process. SnapSite can help municipalities with public engagement, ensuring that the mail-in voting process is more accessible and secure. With these changes, the United States can continue to adapt to the mail-in voting process, ensuring that it remains a viable option for voters in the future.