COVID-19 has forced us to wake up and peer from underneath the covers to envision future public systems. As we look at the present toward the future, let’s   examine the past and decide the fragility of our public system for what they truly are. We can see ourselves conscientiously without rose-colored glasses to realize that our system is not all good or bad but is rather in need of adjustment.  This COVID-19 pandemic has led me to remember an often-spoken quote from my maternal grandmother, “The truth is the light, Child, and that’s scripture!”

It has been this country’s voting process for generations, without exception, for voters to go to specific locations to cast ballots for issues and candidates. However, over the years we have other states choosing to adjust this procedure to benefit their voting populations. Five states have made the choice to conduct all elections via mail (Colorado, Hawaii, Oregon, Utah, and Washington).  Three states permit counties to choose to conduct all elections by mail (California, Nebraska, and North Dakota). Eight states permit some elections to be conducted by mail (Alaska, Arizona, Florida, Kansas, Maryland, Missouri, Montana, and Wyoming). And five states permit certain jurisdictions or portions of a jurisdiction to be designated as all mail based on population (Idaho, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, and New Mexico).

Some of our elected and appointed officials in Tennessee perceive this as an unnecessary worry and therefore see no need to respond to additional tools for ensuring votes are properly cast. However, I, along with many other Tennesseans, see it differently. We believe that without a plan we are negligent stewards for the better good of all who are qualified voters. Just a few of those issues are:

1. Voters who fear contacting COVID-19 by venturing out to vote at election locations;
2. Concern about adequate staff during a presidential election;
3. Increased numbers in voter lines in high precinct areas resulting in longer wait times;
4. Transportation and parking issues to and from polling location particularly for most low-income voters;
5. Voters who may have mental health or other special handicap issues that would increase the numbers of participants needed at polling places.

A reasonable solution to this lack of alternative in our voting process in the State of Tennessee would be Vote by Mail. The pandemic issue of COVID-19 is just our most recent obstacle. No one knows how long it will last. We can plan for voting in the foreseeable future in Tennessee. Sign on and jumpstart Tennessee’s voting future.