Focusing on the vote

American flags are displayed in downtown Woodstock, Vermont. (Gareth Henderson Photo).

The right to vote forms the bedrock of democracy, and many Americans are worried about hurdles to exercising that right in November’s general election, according to the Pew Research Center.

In the Pew study, nearly half of Americans surveyed in July and August said they anticipate logistical difficulties casting a ballot in this pivotal election. To have that level of concern around the vote in 2020 is troubling; no doubt the worries over the USPS and delivery of mail-in ballots during the pandemic play into that. 

In the coming weeks, these concerns may prompt more people to vote early, in order to ensure their votes are counted and their voices heard. Another virtue of that option: There are typically smaller numbers of people at a time, and in many locations, it should be easy to socially distance. In Vermont, early voting begins on Monday, Sept. 21. 

Additionally, the NBA's plan to use arenas as voting centers has taken shape, and will have a profound impact on voter participation by providing safe venues for in-person voting. Most of the NBA's 30 arenas are now involved, and many are providing for early voting.

Though the Nov. 3 election is just under two months away, there's still time to address logistical hurdles causing concerns among voters. Some of these issues may be addressed on a more local level, and hopefully, even in the weeks remaining, some creative solutions can come to the forefront. 

— Gareth Henderson