Opinion: Voting In The Age Of Coronavirus

Submitted by the League of Women Voters of Rhode Island

"Necessity is the mother of invention," a fitting proverb for our state’s conversion to vote-by-mail ballots. It’s essential that all Rhode Islanders have the opportunity to vote safely and without risk to their health in the upcoming statewide primary in September and the general election in November. The current pandemic has caused us to embark on a “voting experiment” much like the “mighty political experiment” of 1920 that ensured 20 million women carried out their right to vote.

Change is never easy. Converting to a mail system presents policy, implementation, education and political challenges — which we experienced during June’s presidential primary. However, we know these hurdles are not insurmountable, and together we will see our voting experiment build a stronger system that ensures everyone has a voice.

As a member of the RI Voting Access Coalition, the League of Women Voters of Rhode Island strongly supports the Safe and Healthy Voting in 2020 Act, submitted to the legislature by Secretary of State Nellie Gorbea. This key piece of legislation will make a series of one-time changes to Rhode Island election laws that will make voting safer, healthier and more secure for the fall elections. It also includes lessons learned from June’s presidential primary such as the need to mail a ballot application for both upcoming elections as early as possible. Ballot drop-off boxes should be placed throughout the state as well as safeguards for in-person voting.

The League of Women Voters of RI will always support legislation that allows for successful elections. We know how critical it is to move swiftly to put in place policies that will make sure voters can exercise their right to cast a ballot. That’s why we urge you to reach out to your Representative and Senator, and tell them you support the Safe and Healthy Voting in 2020 Act.

Jane W. Koster is the President of the Board of League of Women Voters of RI. Learn more about the League of Women of Voters or RI at LWVRI.org.