50 signatures reached
To: County Commissioners of Marion County
New Marion County Drop Sites
Fund ten (10) new ballot drop sites around Marion County to create safe, permanent, and reliable voting in the November election and beyond.
Why is this important?
With the current changes to the USPS, there are concerns that ballots may not arrive in time if not mailed at least 1 week before (even earlier is better!).
Historically, ballot drop sites were available during building hours of the city hall in smaller towns throughout Marion County. Due to COVID, those buildings are closed to the public to protect the health of city employees and the public. In May, many locations opened their doors to collect ballots, but since there is concern that the fall will bring an uptick in cases of COVID, this is concerning. No one should have to risk their life for others to safely turn in a ballot. Having permanent, 24/7 ballot drop sites in small towns increases the chances of folx turning in their ballots with the same amount of time that others have who do have the time and resources to find a ballot drop site if there is not one in their town. It’s imperative that everyone has fair, safe, and equal access to voting.
Marion County Commissioners denied the request of County Clerk Bill Burgess to fund ten (10) new drop sites around Marion County before the November election. Refusing to fund those new drop sites and telling those towns and citizens that they should hold drop sites in their currently closed buildings creates barriers to those that need to wait to drop their ballots instead of mail, need to drop off at different hours than the building is open, and disproportionately affects folx that don’t have access to a permanent and reliable drop box. It’s imperative that these drop sites are created as soon as possible to ensure information about location is shared to the communities.
Historically, ballot drop sites were available during building hours of the city hall in smaller towns throughout Marion County. Due to COVID, those buildings are closed to the public to protect the health of city employees and the public. In May, many locations opened their doors to collect ballots, but since there is concern that the fall will bring an uptick in cases of COVID, this is concerning. No one should have to risk their life for others to safely turn in a ballot. Having permanent, 24/7 ballot drop sites in small towns increases the chances of folx turning in their ballots with the same amount of time that others have who do have the time and resources to find a ballot drop site if there is not one in their town. It’s imperative that everyone has fair, safe, and equal access to voting.
Marion County Commissioners denied the request of County Clerk Bill Burgess to fund ten (10) new drop sites around Marion County before the November election. Refusing to fund those new drop sites and telling those towns and citizens that they should hold drop sites in their currently closed buildings creates barriers to those that need to wait to drop their ballots instead of mail, need to drop off at different hours than the building is open, and disproportionately affects folx that don’t have access to a permanent and reliable drop box. It’s imperative that these drop sites are created as soon as possible to ensure information about location is shared to the communities.