Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

Samantha

(9,314 posts)
Wed Oct 21, 2015, 02:25 PM Oct 2015

In a small contact form on his website, I just sent this note to Senator Bernie Sanders

I am a member of the DemocraticUnderground and posted my suggestion that along with some banking functions, post office locations would be great places to register people to vote. In some rural areas, it is difficult for some people to do this, but usually there is a post office they can access. Additionally, carriers are often familiar with the community residents, and this would make fraudulent registrations a bit more difficult. Since post offices are run by the Federal Government, a local government would not be able to restrict the days of operation or the terms. It might also be possible for the post office to issue a government identification presentable in those regions where government identifications are required in order to vote. If the post office was authorized to issue these id's for a minimal fee, that undoubtedly would facilitate voting in areas which now suppress the vote of minorities. This suggestion was well received at the DemocraticUnderground, so I am passing it along to you for consideration. As one of the largest unionized work forces in this Country, I also believe the post office would greatly appreciate having this additional, important work to do to ensure its continued fight against those who seek to privatize it. Perhaps it would be too much to ask, but is there any remote possibility post offices could also serve as alternative voting sites in regions where polls have been reduced.

Best regards -- I am voting for you and wish you success in your pursuit of the Oval Office.

* * *

It was very difficult to type a coherent message in the space allowed, so this is not as refined as I would have wanted. However, I know his staff reads his messages and pass along promptly those they think have merit. Since I have been toying with this idea as a possible solution to a number of problems, I am sharing it with you, DU, for your comments.

Sam

17 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
In a small contact form on his website, I just sent this note to Senator Bernie Sanders (Original Post) Samantha Oct 2015 OP
I lived in very rural CA upaloopa Oct 2015 #1
That sounds pretty easy and very accessible Samantha Oct 2015 #3
Actual registration occurs at the county level HassleCat Oct 2015 #2
Good to know Samantha Oct 2015 #8
Yes, if this... HassleCat Oct 2015 #11
You got a lot in a small space. Half-Century Man Oct 2015 #4
Thank you but I could not work in the "how do we pay for it" blurb Samantha Oct 2015 #9
If banking gets allowed. Half-Century Man Oct 2015 #13
That is an excellent point Samantha Oct 2015 #14
I applaud your effort and I hope he will read it! It's a great idea. n/t CaliforniaPeggy Oct 2015 #5
Thank you CaliforniaPeggy -- I know his office will read it but will they find merit in it Samantha Oct 2015 #12
Great Idea! n/t 1StrongBlackMan Oct 2015 #6
Do you think there is any chance Sanders will consider this idea? Samantha Oct 2015 #15
I'm pretty certain he will consider it; but, I doubt it will get done any time soon ... 1StrongBlackMan Oct 2015 #16
If he just acknowledges it and perhaps publicly mentions he is looking into the idea Samantha Oct 2015 #17
Very good. mmonk Oct 2015 #7
K&R Fumesucker Oct 2015 #10

upaloopa

(11,417 posts)
1. I lived in very rural CA
Wed Oct 21, 2015, 02:30 PM
Oct 2015

We almost always went to the county fair
That's where we registered. We all voted by mail. Just stick the ballot in our mail box and put the red flag up. Post person took the ballot and sent to to county registrar.

Samantha

(9,314 posts)
3. That sounds pretty easy and very accessible
Wed Oct 21, 2015, 02:37 PM
Oct 2015

I made this suggestion as a possible way around roadblocks in regions that attempt to suppress the vote. Fortunately neither you nor I live in one of those areas, but if can brainstorm and try to ways to grease potential voters wheels during elections, perhaps we are doing a worthwhile service.

Thanks for posting on my thread.

Sam

 

HassleCat

(6,409 posts)
2. Actual registration occurs at the county level
Wed Oct 21, 2015, 02:37 PM
Oct 2015

The USPS could collect registration forms and turn them over to the county clerk, but the voter would not be registered until a county official entered their information in the computer. I'm not sure the federal government has the power to say, "You are registered as soon as the clerk at the post office window stamps your registration form." In states where they have "motor voter" registration, the DMV office collects the forms and sends them on to the county, where the actual registration takes place.

Samantha

(9,314 posts)
8. Good to know
Wed Oct 21, 2015, 02:42 PM
Oct 2015

But if some form of post office involvement could be incorporated into the process, the voter would know that he or she was registered AND COULD VOTE WHERE GOVERNMENT IDENTIFICATIONS ARE REQUIRED when they received their new id in the mail, right? Or if theft of ids are a concern, they could return to the post office to pick them up.

Just trying to walk through this.

Thanks for posting on my thread.

Sam

 

HassleCat

(6,409 posts)
11. Yes, if this...
Wed Oct 21, 2015, 02:54 PM
Oct 2015

If the federal post office kept records to hold the county accountable, then yes. I was a county election official, and we had a few people come in and want to know why they hadn't received a ballot. They swore on everything holy they had filled out the form at the DMV and handed it to the clerk, but we could find no record of them. Then we had "You lost it! No, you lost it!" discussion with the DMV. Fortunately, this did not happen very often.

We were allowed to register the voter on the date stamped at the DMV office. In other words, if the registration deadline was yesterday, and the DMV didn't get the cards to us until today, it was OK, because they had yesterday's time stamp on them. Any legislation would have to specify that the county would honor the USPS time stamp, since some counties are sure to get balky and uncooperative when faced with anything that will increase Democratic voting.

I like your idea, but there will have to be some safeguards to prevent Republican county officials from fouling up the process, refusing to cooperate, etc.

Samantha

(9,314 posts)
9. Thank you but I could not work in the "how do we pay for it" blurb
Wed Oct 21, 2015, 02:49 PM
Oct 2015

The Post Office could issue new stamps picturing Uncle Sam with a caption underneath saying: "Uncle Sam wants YOU to vote." They would be sold at a slightly higher price than forever stamps. People who are sincerely interested in facilitating the right of everyone eligible to be able to exercise that right would not mind chipping in a few extra pennies to move that effort along. And some people might even be willing to buy in bulk! I know I would.

Thank you for posting on my thread.

Sam

Half-Century Man

(5,279 posts)
13. If banking gets allowed.
Wed Oct 21, 2015, 02:55 PM
Oct 2015

And we move into replacing payday services ($400.00 and under, 10% interest, 60 day notes).
We might generate the funds just by the expanded operations of the Post Office.
I'd like to see us undo the republican fuckery of the USPS after the 2016 elections. But that dream is a way off.

Samantha

(9,314 posts)
14. That is an excellent point
Wed Oct 21, 2015, 03:10 PM
Oct 2015

I love the Post Office, and it is in the Constitution the Federal Government set one up and operate it for the people. Republicans want to privatize it. How can they ignore that Constitutional edict? We just have to practice our blocking techniques more often and shut the Republicans down when they attempt these types of maneuvers.

Thanks for your contribution to this thread.

Sam

Samantha

(9,314 posts)
12. Thank you CaliforniaPeggy -- I know his office will read it but will they find merit in it
Wed Oct 21, 2015, 02:54 PM
Oct 2015

Some time ago when the Chained CPI was rolled out for consideration, I was furious. I got my ducks lined up and wrote to Senator Sanders, asking him to step out and oppose it. I received no answer for two days, but at 10:00 pm on Thursday, two days later, he called a press conference and loudly denounced and opposed implementation of the Chained CPI. Sanders' office is on the ball -- I tell you this from experience. They didn't even have to act on it because I live in Maryland and am not one of his constituents. That did not matter to them, and Sanders was hot under the collar about the whole concept.

Sam

Samantha

(9,314 posts)
15. Do you think there is any chance Sanders will consider this idea?
Wed Oct 21, 2015, 05:45 PM
Oct 2015

It would be great if he does. Guess we will have to wait and see.

Sam

 

1StrongBlackMan

(31,849 posts)
16. I'm pretty certain he will consider it; but, I doubt it will get done any time soon ...
Wed Oct 21, 2015, 06:02 PM
Oct 2015

especially with the gop actively trying to shutter the USPO.

Samantha

(9,314 posts)
17. If he just acknowledges it and perhaps publicly mentions he is looking into the idea
Wed Oct 21, 2015, 08:23 PM
Oct 2015

I would be ecstatic. He seems to be very protective of the post office as well as the right to vote. So just starting a discussion on the feasibility of this idea is an extremely positive thing, especially because just as you said "with the gop actively trying to shutter the USPO." It sends a signal to the GOP that we are not going to just roll over.

Sam

Latest Discussions»Retired Forums»2016 Postmortem»In a small contact form o...