OPINION:
After reading “The statistical impossibility of L.A.’s mayor race” (Web, June 8) regarding absentee ballots in California, I decided today was the day to write this letter.
I lived for 19 years in Virginia. I suffer from lupus and arthritis and have had open heart surgery. The last time I voted in person in Spotsylvania County, Virginia, was probably 2008.That time, I stood forever in a line outside waiting to vote. Later I learned I qualified for early voting in person, which I began doing.
Now I am in Florida and I voted early for the 2024 presidential election. The line for early voting was long and mostly outside. I was standing in the sun. Finally, I asked someone to hold my place while I went to my car for a hat.
When I finally got inside, I was able to sit in a chair and vote.
Early and mail-in voting were created for people who for physical reasons cannot vote on Election Day. But after COVID-19, the process became nearly out of control. Mail-in and early voting are not intended to be a convenience to all voters.
It is time to put a stop to the abuse of both early and mail-in ballot voting. My daughter, who lived in Alexandria, Virginia, voted by mail once and said she would never do it again. The last time I voted early in Virginia, I drove around trying to find a handicap parking spot.
Virginia has a large military presence. Our dedicated soldiers have a right to cast a vote wherever they are serving. When the last Democratic president was elected, Virginia reportedly did not count all military mail-in ballots.
The whole system must be evaluated and abuse stopped.
MADALIN JACKSON BICKEL
Tallahassee, Florida
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