Working toward a common goal

The American flag at Woodstock Union High School & Middle School. (Gareth Henderson Photo)

It's undeniable that more unity is needed throughout the country, especially at a time when even one of the bedrocks of our democracy, the voting system, is feeling the strain of politics. Specifically, that refers to the discussions about mail-in voting, which has become an understandable trend amid the pandemic, and a point of contention for some. It is worth noting that Oregon, the first state to go to universal mail-in voting, has experienced a voter-fraud rate of .00001 percent since 2000, according to the PBS NewsHour. 

Unfortunately, the vote is just one of many areas of our democracy which has become increasingly tainted by politics in recent years. That is greatly troubling, given the importance of this November's presidential contest. It is also revealing, because it shows how doubt can be spread quickly online, about a method of voting which has largely been able to avoid fraud issues, as The Washington Post previously reported.

A major issue is that, in a politically charged environment, someone who feels their vote has never counted may still believe this, perhaps more so, if political strife and USPS logistical issues feed into a sense of hopelessness. Still, there are a number of groups working to encourage people to vote, and that should be done for the good of the country. The more people participating in the vote, the better. That has never been more true. 

Voting remains key to the functionality of the nation, and hopefully efforts to assist with that process in 2020 can continue unencumbered, whether it's organizing mail-in voting efforts, polling stations, or related aspects of the process. Many people are committed to making sure that process works, and now is the time to support them in their efforts. As one united people, we can accomplish great things. We still have the heart, and the resolve, to do exactly that.

— Gareth Henderson