Wednesday Soapbox Cartoonist’s take Intentional or not, voter suppression is happening

Voter suppression in all its many forms is taking place all over the country — even in California. The California Secretary of State has contacted all county election officials this month reminding them it is illegal for any person to possess a firearm at a voting location or to threaten anyone to discourage them from voting. County election officials have been encouraged to contact local law enforcement to ensure they are prepared. But voter suppression can take place in much less dramatic, but equally effective ways.

A few days after I was alerted by the Marin Registrar of Voters that absentee ballots had been put in the mail, I went to the Point Reyes Station Post Office to pick up my ballot. To my great consternation, not only was my ballot in my box, but the ballots of two other people were in my box as well.

All California voters have been mailed a vote-by-mail ballot for this election. I urge you to check your post office box as soon as possible to see if you have received your ballot. If not, call theMarin County Elections Department for another ballot immediately. Don’t delay.

Voter suppression can be intentional or unintentional. Impact, however, is more important than intent. Make sure you have your ballot and a plan of how you will vote. To ensure your ballot will be counted by Election Day, deliver your ballot to a ballot drop box as soon as you can — the sooner the better. Don’t wait until the last minute.

If you encounter any difficulty in voting, report it at seesay2020.com which is collecting voter suppression incidents all over the country. Protect your vote.

— Mary Morgan, Point Reyes Station