[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 48 (Thursday, March 19, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E715]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        INTRODUCTION OF THE UNIVERSAL RIGHT TO VOTE BY MAIL ACT

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                          HON. SUSAN A. DAVIS

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 19, 2009

  Mrs. DAVIS of California. Madam Speaker, I rise today to introduce 
the Universal Right to Vote by Mail Act of 2009--a bill to allow any 
eligible voter to vote by mail in a federal election if he or she 
chooses to do so.
  In my home state of California, voters already have this right. 
California is one of the twenty-eight states that already provide this 
convenient alternative to voters.
  While I love the ritual of going to the polls to vote, I know that 
getting to the polls on Election Day is often difficult. For some, it's 
impossible.
  That is why I have introduced a bill that builds upon the growing 
trend of states to bring the polls to the voters. I believe we should 
try to meet our constituents halfway by increasing access to the 
electoral process.
  What I am proposing is not new or even untested. States ranging from 
my home state of California, to Wisconsin, to North Carolina, to Maine 
have already adopted this voter-friendly policy.
  With mail voting, citizens can vote from the convenience of their own 
homes. They will have more time to mull over their choices and make 
informed decisions, and they will be able to do so on their own terms.
  Not surprisingly, studies have shown that some of the biggest 
supporters of voting by mail are parents, who must schedule time to go 
to the polls around so many other obligations.
  Studies have also indicated that adding the option to vote by mail 
does not create a partisan advantage for one political party over the 
other.
  Republicans and Democrats both benefit from similar increases in 
voter turnout when voters are given the choice to mail in their 
ballots.
  In fact, overwhelming support for voting by mail is consistent across 
nearly every demographic--including age, income level, race, education, 
employment status and ideology. It is a win-win for all Americans.
  After adopting a universal right to vote by mail system in 1978, 
California saw a thirty percent increase in the use of mail-in ballots.
  Other states that have implemented this policy have seen the same 
degree of support from voters, which is why it is hardly surprising 
that States offering the option of mail-in ballots often experience 
greater voter participation.
  There is also an extremely low incidence of fraud with voting by mail 
when compared to other methods of voting.
  As the former President of the League of Women Voters of San Diego, I 
care deeply about the integrity of our electoral system.
  Twenty-eight states have already proven this option works, and it is 
safe. It is time to give voters in the remaining states this 
convenient, secure and affordable alternative.
  While I am proud to be from a state where citizens already have this 
right, I believe democracy works best when all citizens have an equal 
opportunity to have their voices heard.
  Right now, an uneven playing field exists between states that already 
offer the option of mail-in ballots and states that do not.
  When the same election is more accessible to voters in California 
than it is to voters in other states, the system is unfair.
  States that fail to offer this choice stand to compromise their 
leverage in federal elections by curbing the greatest level of voter 
participation.
  We should follow the lead of over half of our nation's states and 
ensure a uniformity of rights for all voters.
  I ask my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to join me in 
supporting this effort to strengthen the democratic process and give 
American voters the choices they deserve.

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