Semi Bird, a former Republican candidate for governor from Richland, saw his political ambitions crash in the August primary. Now, he’s trying to make it harder for people in Washington to vote.
For over a decade, Washington has used a vote-by-mail system, which has been very successful and likely popular. Voting by mail makes it easier for people to take part in elections compared to the old system of polling places and occasional absentee ballots.
With vote-by-mail, people can vote at their convenience, whether they have jobs, kids, travel, or disabilities that make it hard to get to a polling place. Voters can also take their time to review guides and candidates’ websites before deciding. This is especially helpful for smaller races and local measures that don’t get much attention.
Turnout has improved with vote-by-mail. Before, about 75% of registered voters participated in a typical presidential election. Now, that number is over 80%. More people voting means election results better reflect what Washingtonians want.
Voting by mail is also secure. Voters must sign their ballot envelopes, and officials check those signatures against records. Fraud is very rare, and having a paper trail is helpful in close elections that require a recount. And if someone prefers to vote in person, they can still do that at accessible voting centers, which are open for more than two weeks before an election.
Despite these benefits, Bird wants to end vote-by-mail now that he’s been rejected by voters. He’s planning an initiative campaign against it.
It’s hard to take his plans seriously, though. Vote-by-mail is popular, and Bird doesn’t have a strong record in elections. Before getting just 11% in the gubernatorial primary, he was removed from the Richland School Board in a recall election.
However, a campaign against vote-by-mail could spread misinformation, lower voter turnout, and worsen partisan divides. Washington doesn’t need that. Instead, the state should look at ways to increase participation and encourage more competitive elections.
If Bird needs something to do, he could start by removing his campaign signs from public areas around the Tri-Cities. It’s illegal to leave them up after an election, and taking them down might help him move on from his loss. Cleaning up would be more useful than trying to end vote-by-mail.