1 year ago
Ballot Gathering: Practices, Laws, and Controversies
Understanding Ballot Gathering
Ballot gathering, also known as ballot collecting, is a practice where voters entrust their completed absentee ballots to others for submission. This practice is legal in various forms across 35 states, but laws and restrictions differ significantly.
Legal Landscape and Controversies
While some states limit ballot collection to family members or caregivers, others allow broader designations. The practice has sparked debates over potential fraud and voter disenfranchisement, though experts maintain that the risk of fraud is very low.
Those who want to relax the rules argue that restrictions don't prevent fraud, but end up disenfranchising certain groups of voters, particularly communities of color.
Role of Churches and Organizations
Churches and other tax-exempt organizations can participate in nonpartisan voter activities, including ballot collection, without risking their tax-exempt status. However, they must adhere to specific guidelines to avoid engaging in partisan political activities.
- Ballot gathering is legal in 35 states with varying restrictions.
- Controversies arise over potential fraud and voter disenfranchisement.
- Experts claim the risk of fraud in ballot gathering is very low.
- Churches can participate in nonpartisan voter activities without losing tax-exempt status.
- Laws differ on who can collect ballots and how many they can return.
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