NJ Patch Readers Split On Fairness, Vote-By-Mail System

NEW JERSEY — Most Patch readers across the nation were pleased with the vote-by-mail system instituted across the country. But those who responded to Patch's survey in New Jersey had a different viewpoint.

A slight majority of the nearly 4,000 people who responded to Patch's non-scientific voting survey this week were not confident in the vote-by-mail system, and there’s a split as to whether the election results are fair and accurate.

The survey, which appeared in questionnaire form Tuesday on Patch, is meant not to be a scientific poll but only to give a broad idea of public sentiment.

An overwhelming majority, or 81 percent, of the 3,922 people who responded said they used a secure vote-by-mail drop box. The next largest group, more than 14 percent, said they used the postal service. Another 4.3 percent said they voted in-person, using a provisional ballot, on Election Day.

Most Patch readers who voted in person said things went smoothly at the polls. About 58 percent said things went well, but 23.9 percent said things went poorly. Another 18.1 percent said some things went well and other things went poorly.

Mail-in voting

More than 91 percent of Patch readers who responded said they received their mail-in ballot automatically, while only 8.1 percent said they received their ballot after requesting one online or by mail.

Of those who voted by mail, 53.4 percent said they were able to track the progress of their ballot online. Another 27.8 percent said they weren’t able to, while 18.8 percent said they didn’t know.

Those who tracked their ballot online were probably happy they did, because 55.2 percent said they didn’t receive confirmation that their ballot had been received. However, 44.8 percent said that they did.

So with 55.2 percent not receiving confirmation, and 46.6 percent saying they weren’t able to or weren’t sure if they were able to track their ballot online, it may come as no surprise that 58.5 percent are less confident in the vote-by-mail system.

The rest were split, with 21.9 percent saying their confidence level was unchanged and 19.6 percent saying they were more confident about voting by mail.

While many Patch readers expressed confidence in vote-by-mail system, New Jersey was different. Almost 48 percent believe voting by mail is not safe, reliable or generally free of fraud. However, 35 percent think that it is, while the rest fall somewhere in the middle.

Despite a lack of confidence in the system, 40.9 percent don’t think voting by mail should be made easier in future elections, while 34.9 percent believe that it should. The rest fall somewhere in the middle.

And maybe because of the lack of confidence in the vote-by-mail system, there’s a split as to how fair and accurate voting in the state was, with 41.2 percent saying they weren’t and 40.4 percent saying they were.

People are even less confident in the fairness and accuracy of the national vote, with 47.8 percent expressing their concern that it wasn’t and 38.4 percent saying they believe that it was.

How'd it go?

Here's a sampling of comments, both positive and negative, shared by readers:

• I want to vote by machine.
• The election was fair.
• I will never vote by mail.
• Voting should be done in person.
• Voting by mail is so much easier. I’m never voting in person again.
• This was my first year doing vote by mail and would continue to use this method in the future.
• I want to vote at my polling place, where my signature and ID are verified.
• I have zero faith in the Vote By Mail system.
• I did not try to track my ballot. I was very comfortable with what I did.
• Voting machines are much safer.
• Voting for me was easy and seamless
• Absolutely flawless voting, easy and safe!
• There should only be one envelope less complicated.
• Voting should always be via home ballot. This ensures everyone is heard.