A menos de 60 días de las elecciones primarias de Pensilvania, un grupo no partidista está acelerando el ritmo para educar a las personas sobre el voto por correo y en ausencia. La boleta por correo, rediseñada, debutará en todo el estado en abril, para más de ocho millones de votantes registrados. Los materiales electorales tienen un código de barras, por lo que no se puede identificar a ningún votante individual, dice Jessica Myers de la Liga de Mujeres Votantes de Pensilvania. La nueva boleta tiene gráficos e instrucciones actualizadas para ayudar a los votantes a comprender el proceso de envío por correo.

"El sobre secreto tiene un fondo amarillo con una especie de marca de agua de color gris azulado que dice "Boleta Oficial Secreta". Hay algunos códigos de colores e instrucciones adicionales en el exterior del sobre, incluido dónde está la declaración de los votantes. Está preescrito con un '2-0', para que haya menos personas escribiendo sus fechas de nacimiento," mencionó también Myers.

Myers agrega que es recomendable que escriba la fecha en la que votó en la boleta antes de enviarla por correo o dejarlo en un buzón. Los habitantes de Pensilvania deben ser votantes registrados para solicitar una boleta por correo. La fecha límite para registrarse para votar es el 8 de abril y las solicitudes de boletas por correo deben recibirse antes del 16 de abril. Después de que el votante la complete y la envíe por correo, la boleta debe recibirse antes de las 8 p. m., hora del este, el día de las elecciones.

La directora ejecutiva de la Liga de Mujeres Votantes de Pensilvania, Amy Widestrom, dice que la integridad del voto es una prioridad absoluta y sostiene que el proceso electoral en Pensilvania es seguro. Añade que en elecciones anteriores, los análisis de más de 31 millones de votos emitidos no encontraron ninguna incidencia significativa de fraude electoral.

"Creo que solo se encontraron 21. La mayor parte de ellos fueron errores. La gente simplemente pensó que estaban votando en el lugar correcto, pero no fue así. Solo hubo cinco incidentes de intento real de fraude electoral entre 31 millones de votos emitidos. Por lo tanto, el fraude electoral no suele ser un problema," enfatizó además Widestrom.

Widestrom agrega que los votantes no están permanentemente en las listas de votación por correo o en ausencia, pero para permanecer en ellas durante el año, los residentes deben devolver el formulario de solicitud. Si no lo hacen, entonces el votante debe solicitar una boleta por correo o en ausencia para cada elección específica. La Liga también tiene un sitio web, 'Vote 411.org', donde las personas pueden ver una boleta de muestra antes de dirigirse a las urnas o enviarla por correo.

With the Independence Day holiday weekend here, North Dakotans might be out at parades, fireworks shows and barbecues. However, new polling indicates that many Americans are struggling to feel optimistic about the state of the country.

A new Gallup survey shows 58% of U.S. adults say they're proud to be an American. While there are some partisan splits, the overall percentage is a record low for the annual poll question.

Barbara Headrick, president of the League of Women Voters of North Dakota, said it's not surprising, given the sharp divides between the two major parties. But she feels there's something else at play.

"There is still an after effect, I believe, from the pandemic from that separation from each other that we had," she said.

That the pandemic was so politicized is another complicating factor that prevented the country from healing, Headrick said, adding that it's understandable some Americans are very concerned about various rights being taken away. However, she noted the U.S. has deep flaws throughout its history, and there are still many more rights afforded today than in past decades.

If heated rhetoric clouding U.S. politics has got you down, Headrick said, you can still show American pride through actions.

"Find a way to love your country by making it better," she said.

Headrick said it can involve showing support for civil workers or volunteering at a local homeless or animal shelter. She added that expressing pride through elections doesn't just involve voting, noting that there are opportunities to stay informed about how your local government is addressing pressing issues, such as affordable housing.


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A new Indiana law, starting today, allows school board candidates to list their political affiliation on the ballot.

Candidates may choose to register with a political party, as independents or not disclose any affiliation. Those who do not select will have a blank space next to their name and straight-ticket voting will not apply to school board races. Those opposed to the new law said it injects unnecessary politics into a role traditionally focused on education.

Leslie Jacobs, a school board member for the Fayette County School Corporation in Connersville, is against the new law.

"In my 10 years, I couldn't tell you the political leanings of anybody on my board. Never comes up," Jacobs explained. "Our discussions are purely about educational opportunities, picking a superintendent, looking at budget."

She warned requiring party labels might discourage qualified candidates from running. Supporters of the new law said it increases transparency.

Jennifer Blackburn, a school board member for the East Allen County Schools near Fort Wayne, also opposes the new law.

"The scenario that there are four candidates potentially running and three are Democrat, one is a Republican -- this last school board election -- none of us were opposed," Blackburn pointed out. "As big as our county is, there are not a lot of people running."

The law will first affect school board elections in November.


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A three-part online training series on how to run for office and govern effectively begins Monday, designed for people running at any level of government office in Western states, including Wyoming.

The training is part of the Grassroots Democracy Program under the Western Organization of Resource Councils, a group organizing in rural parts of the West and includes Wyoming's Powder River Basin Resource Council.

Gwen Lachelt, political director for the group, said the series will help answer a broad range of questions.

"Everything from, 'Am I ready to run for office? How do I organize my campaign?' To, 'how do I govern, and how can I be an effective elected official?'" Lachelt explained.

As of Friday, Lachelt noted about 50 people had signed up for the training. Registration is still open until the event starts Monday at 5:30 p.m. MT.

Lachelt added she is seeing a lot of interest in running for office from people of all age groups and all backgrounds. She emphasized the group hopes to connect with Westerners who care about natural resources.

"Our goal is to build a bench of elected officials across our regions who will champion democracy and also work to protect the West's land, air, and water," Lachelt stressed.

Guest speakers at the event include Rep. Katie Sullivan, D-Missoula, who is the House Minority Leader, and Kevin Williams, a board member of Colorado's Delta-Montrose Electric Association.


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