文章基本信息

标题：Court Upholds Mail Ballots - Brief Article
作者：Carey Arvin
期刊名称：Campaigns & Elections
出版年度：2001
卷号：August 2001
出版社：Campaigns and Elections

Court Upholds Mail Ballots - Brief Article

Carey Arvin

The 9th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals ruled Oregon's unique vote-by-mail system, which went into full effect in 1998, does not violate the constitution or federal election laws.

The mail voting system eliminates the need for polling places. Prponents of the system claim it increases voter turnout. Opponents, however, claim it destroys the concept of the secret ballot, creates multiple election days and opens the door to increased vote fraud and intimidation.

The lawsuit was brought by the nonpartisan Voting Integrity Project. They argues that federal elections must take place on the same day in November and that voting by mail extends voting beyond a single election day.

The court interpreted the applicable law as requiring only that elections be "consummated" by a certain day.

M. Miller Baker, an attorney for the Voting Integrity Project, said an appeal is being filed before the full appeals court and, if necessary, to the US. Supreme Court.