To: readers across the Aisle
Subject: Change is coming
Date: June 22, 2020
To: readers across the Aisle
Subject: Voting in America- not so black and white
Date: May 27, 2020
To: readers across the Aisle
Subject: You've got mail-in ballots
Date: August 3rd, 2020
If she didn't have AOL instant messenger, she's too young for you bro
*AOL Voice* You've got mail-in ballots
In this newsletter:
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mail in ballots
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election fraud
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voter suppression
Let's take a walk down the Aisle...
Voting by mail
What: a more convenient way to vote & avoid large crowds at polling places due to COVID
Pros: allows for underrepresented groups like minorities, low income, elderly to vote more easily
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while minorities skew to dems, elderly skew to GOP so doesn't help one party over the other
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lowers risk of spreading COVID-19 and protects everyone's right to vote during pandemic
Cons: many states have had issues with mail in ballots previously, creating worry about the accuracy of mail in voting. More on election fraud below.
Universal Mail-in vs. Absentee
Not quite. In most states, absentee voters have to request an absentee ballot, by providing their name and address. Usually, voters are required to provide an excuse for why they can't vote in person.
Vote by mail means sending ballots to every registered voter. This is a big step for certain states like Tennessee where only 2% of voters mailed in ballots in 2016.
Right: absentee ballots allow for extra security check (officials verify name, address, excuse)
Left: if absentee voting works, universal mail-in voting will be successful as well
Election Fraud
When the person you've been leading on all quarantine asks to meet: Delay the Meeting until people can properly, securely and safely date???
Both sides agreed: we are not delaying the election.
Risks of mail in voting due to poor infrastructure:
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Delays: in SF, 5% of ballots did not arrive on time, contributing to over 100K ballots rejected by California
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Loss of ballots: (Wisconsin had thousands missing/nullified)
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Incorrect ballots: ballots mailed to deceased people, pets, and things?
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Corruption: in LA, homeless people were paid in exchange for signatures on petitions & voter registration forms
On the other hand, many studies indicate that voting by mail does not skew election results and actually encourages more participation.
Historically, voting by mail has worked:
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In 2016, nearly 25% of voters cast absentee ballots
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Colorado achieved record participation, 40% reduction of costs, and only 9 cases of fraud since adopting universal mail-in voting in 2013
Right: we don't have the infrastructure to conduct an accurate, on time election with mail in voting
Left: there is no proof that mail in ballots lead to more fraud
Voter Suppression
Voting is the most essential part of a democracy. Unfortunately, some measures make it harder to cast a vote:
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voter ID & registration restrictions: only accept certain documents w/ strict cut off dates
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felony disenfranchisement: some states ban felons from voting for life
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gerrymandering: redistricting to affect election results
These restrictions disproportionately affect black voters, who according to the left will also be forced to make the decision between their health and voting in November.
Republicans counter that it's not fair to completely ignore the health risks of protesting and overemphasize the risks of voting in person.
Right: with appropriate precautions, voting in person can be safe for everyone
Left: Trump wants fewer people to vote so he can win
How do I vote?
Kanye's got you. So do we:
Other controversies
What: AOC responds to sexist comments by Yoho
Right: mostly crickets from the GOP on this one; some condemned the remarks
Left: Yoho did not give an adequate apology
What: Dr. Immanuel endorses Hydroxychloroquine
Right: Dems want to censor this because Trump endorsed it at the beginning of the pandemic
Left: should be censored b/c Immanuel has history of spreading false information
What: Biden says Trump is first racist president elected
Right: hold my beer (12 US presidents owned slaves)
Left: Charlemagne does not have time for this
What: Nicholas Sandmann settles defamation lawsuit
Right: the media is constantly creating fake narratives
Left: Washington Post holds that the journalism was correct
What: Herman Cain dies of COVID-19
Right: people are stooping to new lows using deaths for political statements
Left: he got COVID from not wearing a mask at Trump's rally
Cartoon
Spread some good
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Support voting rights organizations
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Support startups fighting voter fraud
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New Orleans man exchanges guns for trumpets, offering free music sessions for at risk youth
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3 inmates save deputy's life
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Woman donates lottery winnings to officer shot in line of duty- police raise over $150,000 for her
Closing Points
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Voting by mail:
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increases voter participation, especially with safety concerns during pandemic
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has risks associated with poor infrastructure that cause delays + inaccuracies
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is different than absentee voting
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Quote of the week
"Nobody will ever deprive the American people of the right to vote except the American people themselves and the only way they could do this is by not voting.”
-FDR in a radio address from the White House in 1944
No matter what you believe, don't forget to VOTE! It is your most important constitutional right.
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Thank you for walking across the Aisle with us this week. Now that you have both sides of the story, it’s up to you to decide where you stand.
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This article cites 15 liberal news sources in blue and 11 conservative news sources in red. 13 sources were considered neutral in gray.