U.S. presidential election pre-date voting increases at an unusual pace

U.S. presidential election pre-date voting increases at an unusual pace October 18, 16:48

In the US presidential election, at least 22 million people voted early, about two weeks before the election day, which is close to 40% of all early voting in the previous 2016 presidential election, which is an unusual pace. Is increasing.

In this presidential election, the spread of the new coronavirus has eased the postal voting system in many states, making it easier to use early voting.

Many states in the United States have begun accepting early voting, and as of 16th of this month, at least 17 million people have voted by mail ballot in the United States, including those who voted at polling stations. That means that more than 22 million people have already voted.

This is 38% of all early votes in the previous 2016 presidential election, and this time it is increasing at an unusual pace.

Looking at the people who voted before the deadline by party,

▽ 24% of the total were registered as Republicans, while

▽ twice as many were registered as Democrats. It is 55% above.

However, due to sudden changes in the system due to the spread of infection, there are a series of troubles such as mailing ballots to other people in various places, and some states are not well prepared to accept early voting, so voting There are long lines in the area, and some voters wait for a few hours to vote.

In this election campaign, the Democratic Party's Biden camp is calling for active use of early voting, and the Trump camp is also calling for early voting while opposed to mail voting, and it is possible that more early voting will be done in the future. There is sex.

However, in some states, the postmark of the election day is valid, and there are many places where it is the first time to accept a large number of postal votes, and there is concern that the ballot counting work will be significantly delayed.

The reason for the increase is the expansion of postal voting Corona also has an effect

In the US early voting, you can vote directly at a designated polling place, or you can vote by filling out and returning the ballot that was mailed to you, or by posting it in a dedicated post.

A major factor in the significant increase in early voting is the expansion of the use of postal voting.

In the United States, the postal voting system varies from state to state, but according to various surveys, in response to the spread of the new coronavirus infection, measures have been taken to make postal voting easier to use in more than 30 states in the United States as an infection prevention measure. I am.

Specifically, the system, which was previously allowed only when there are unavoidable circumstances such as work or illness, can be used by anyone for infection prevention measures, and all those who have registered as voters are unconditional. We are relaxing it so that it can be used.

In addition, the number of states that allowed all registered voters to automatically send ballots for postal voting was three in the last 2016 presidential election, but this time it has expanded to 10 states and the capital Washington. I will.

Voting ballot troubles and proceedings

Due to the sudden change in the mail voting system and the large increase in users, troubles are occurring one after another in each state.

In eastern Pennsylvania, a fierce battle state, it was discovered that a ballot sent to approximately 30,000 voters this month contained information about another voter.

In Pennsylvania, when returning a ballot, the ballot is required to be doubled in two prescribed envelopes to protect personal information, but while the Trump camp and others are suing, the state's state The court has ruled that if it is not doubled, it will not be accepted as a valid vote, and it has been pointed out that 100,000 votes may be invalidated.

In addition, in New York and Ohio, errors were found in the contents printed on ballots and reply envelopes, and procedures are being taken to resend them.

In the midst of widespread turmoil, there are a series of proceedings, and according to the website that summarizes the proceedings in the United States, as of the 15th of this month, there were 287 proceedings in 45 states and other countries over changes in the postal voting system. It means that you are awake.

Problems with ballot counting and posture In a trial over election results?

Confusion is also expected regarding the counting of votes after the election day on the 3rd of next month.

According to various surveys, at least 20 states in the United States accept postmarks on or after the election day, with postmarks valid, and some states accept arrivals up to 20 days later.

Furthermore, it has been pointed out that there is a problem with the posture of Japan Post, which is responsible for collecting and delivering mail votes.

Japan Post has been reducing the number of machines that sort mail, saying that it will reduce costs under management reforms.

It has also been pointed out that due to this effect, the arrival of a large number of postal votes may not be in time and may become invalid.

President Trump has repeatedly argued that postal voting can lead to fraud, and a court battle over election results could lead to long-term uncertain results.