The Election is Coming
I confess that I have become more concerned about our election integrity. My concerns have nothing to do with non-citizens voting or fraud committed by election workers, but everything to do with the Trump Administration’s increasing efforts to usurp elections by restricting voting rights. From Trump’s executive order issued in March of this year to hinder the distribution of mail-in ballots, to the USPS rule issued on Aug. 25, this administration wants to make voting more difficult for everyone and could disenfranchise hundreds of thou- sands. President Trump wants the USPS to create a national tracking system by requiring states to redesign ballot envelopes in a few short weeks. Failure would risk having registered voters not receive a mail ballot. All of these efforts are unconstitutional. Elections are administered by the states. Because of my concerns, I went to sos.wa.gov to find news from our Secretary of State, Steve Hobbs. Under the “News” banner, I found encouragement: On Aug. 28, a federal court granted a temporary restraining order preventing the USPS's final rule on ballot mail from being implemented for the Nov. 3 General Election. The Spokane County Elections Office personnel reiterated that no changes would be made before our general election. Ballots will be mailed October 14-16. All of this information renewed my confidence in our election processes. I will place my ballot in the nearest drop box. Please cast your vote.