Center for Civic Design

7 questions about what it will take to scale up vote-by-mail for 2020 elections from our brief guide to the decisions and policies needed to support the implementation of mail-in ballots for the 2020 elections: https://civicdesign.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/VBMresourcespage-CCD-Guide-to-mail-voting-3-24.pdf … (Thread)

1. What is your starting point? If the percentage already voting from home is low, you’ll need more voter outreach and education along with scaling up procedures.

2. Who gets a mail-in ballot? Do voters have to request one, or will everyone get a ballot in the mail automatically? Either way, you’ll need forms and a system for managing the process efficiently.

3. How are ballots sent to voters? Do you put the ballot packages together in your office, or do you have printing and mailing vendor partners who can help you manage the new volume and make sure the post office can deliver all those ballots?

4a. How are ballots returned? In all-mail states, over 70% of voters drop off their ballots rather than mail them. Without neighborhood polling places, can you set up drop boxes or other places for voters to return their ballots safely?

4b. What is the deadline for voters to return their ballots? Received by the end of Election Day? Or postmarked by Election Day. Either way, make sure it's widely and clearly publicized.