GA Voter Fraud Unlikely, 27% Will Vote In Person Nov. 3: Survey

GEORGIA — A majority of Georgia residents worry that mail-in ballots will be not be received or counted properly for the Nov. 3 general election, according to an informal reader survey Patch conducted this weekend. Half of the survey participants reject President Trump's assertion that voting by mail encourages fraud.

Nearly one-third of survey respondents —27.6 percent — said they plan to cast their votes in person on Election Day.

"If we can queue up to buy groceries, liquor, or use an ATM or keypad, we can vote in person," a survey participant said.

Another commenter said: "I am definitely concerned about long lines (wait times) and COVID exposure for in-person voting. I am very concerned about receiving my mail in ballot and whether my mail in ballot will be counted."

A total of 987 Georgia Patch readers responded to the voting survey published Sunday. The survey, which appeared in questionnaire form on Patch, is not meant to be a scientific poll, but only to give a broad idea of public sentiment.

When asked if they are concerned about wait times or health/safety at polling places on Election Day, 55.9 percent of those surveyed said "yes," while 37 percent said "no" and 7 percent said they were "unsure."

With more Americans expected to vote by mail because of the coronavirus pandemic, the U.S. Post Office has been in the spotlight for mail delay concerns amid recent operational changes. After public outcry, Postmaster General Louis DeJoy said the changes are paused until at least after the election. According to NPR, that means post office hours won't be altered, mail processing facilities won't be closed, and existing mail processing equipment and collection boxes will stay. DeJoy promised that post offices will be ready to handle the anticipated influx of election mail.

In Georgia, the largest share of voters who took the Patch survey said they will vote absentee by mail, followed by in person on Election Day, and then absentee in person early voting.

"Vote early! Either at early voting sites, or by absentee ballot. Don't wait until the last minute to cast your vote," wrote one survey respondent.

Another resident shared worries about voter suppression.

"Voting rights experts are warning that Republican voter suppression combined with a shortage of poll workers could lead to hours-long lines and widespread polling place closings in November," the reader said. ..."Another huge threat that could disenfranchise millions of voters are ballot rejections because of tiny technicalities, like a signature that doesn't quite match the one on file. Studies have shown that first-time voters and racial minorities are about twice as likely to have their votes rejected. Those are just two of the threats that we know about. Imagine what the Trump administration might be cooking up that we don't even know about yet."

"We need free and fair electoral processes in the United States. No party or interest should sway vote counting," a participant said.

"I would rather vote in person and know my vote has been counted than to take the risk (whatever it may be) of voting by mail-in ballot and not be being counted," said another commenter.

Just over half of those who responded — 55.9 percent — said they are worried about wait times or health risks tied to in-person voting on Election Day. Thirty-seven percent said they had no concerns, and 7 percent were unsure.

"There’s no way the election offices have the finances to provide effective PPE to election workers, and many polling places won’t allow for social distancing, especially during peak hours," wrote one worried voter."

"I am definitely concerned about long lines (wait times) and COVID exposure for in-person voting," said a commenter. "I am very concerned about receiving my mail-in ballot and whether my mail-in ballot will be counted."

President Trump has said he believes voting by mail will encourage fraudulent activity. Of our respondents, 49.7 percent agreed with the president's claim, while 50.3 percent disagreed.

"So amazing people will riot in the streets but not go vote in person where your ID is checked," wrote a reader who said they served in the military for 24 years. "I wonder how many dead people will vote Democrat. This is just nuts what the left is doing to my country."

"Voting by mail is the best way to ensure a fraudulent election," said another participant.

"Trump is desperately trying to wreak havoc on this election. Disgusting!" commented another survey respondent.

Slightly more than half of those filling out the survey said they've noticed mail delivery delays, something Congress is holding hearings on.

"I want my vote to count and don’t trust the mail system," said one person. "Too many things get lost in the mail and I don’t want my vote to be one of them! in-person votes gets counted as soon as you vote!"

"There is no reason someone can not vote in Georgia. Each county has early voting on weekends and weekdays for several weeks prior to election day," a commenter said. "Additionally absentee voting has always been available."