Election Day is arguably one of the most important days of the year in America. Citizens are allowed to express their thoughts and utilize their right to vote. The past few years, early voting has become increasingly popular. What is now common, early voting was once unheard of.
Absentee ballots, a type of early voting, dates back to the Civil War. Family members were being mailed ballots that were voted absentee from soldiers. Eventually, in the early 1900s, this process became normalized through state laws. The law allowed ballots to be mailed right to election officials. Certain citizens who had an illness or traveled often were allowed a state-approved excuse for voting an absentee ballot.
Today, early voting has become essential to so many people. It has reduced crowds that would occur on Election day. For instance, Laura Nastro, an elderly woman, stated, “I vote early because the crowds on Election day are too much for me. Standing for too long takes a toll on my body. Early voting allows me to vote without having the stress of a thousand people behind me.”
Early voting sites usually have arrangements for individuals who have disabilities. Wheelchairs and accessible voting booths are options for people in need. This has made it especially popular among seniors.
Early voting has become more convenient for everyone. It allows people to manage their time and vote when it fits in their schedule. Linda Spisany, a mother of three and an elementary school teacher, expressed, “As a mother and a teacher, I am constantly putting my kids and job before me. Early voting has allowed me to vote at a convenient time for me.”
Despite its convenience, some Americans believe that voting early could be a way of “rigging” the vote process. Some people believe it could lead to a security issue or potential logistic issue. Managing early voting can make the election process more complex due to staffing and resource allocation. Most importantly, Americans believe early voting takes away from the significance of Election Day. Election Day represents the importance of having the right to vote. It's a day where citizens are brought together to vote on someone who will better America. When people vote early, it belittles the meaning of Election Day.
Over 78 million people voted early this year, proving the growing demand for this option. While early voting provides more flexibility, it also raises important questions about the balance between convenience and integrity.
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