Youngkin’s Paper Ballot Mandate

Let’s just say Governor Youngkin is making a splash with his latest move to mandate paper ballots for Virginia’s November elections. The measure, positioned as a silver bullet for election integrity, is meant to buffer voter confidence (ahem, especially conservatives’ confidence) in the state’s electoral process. But let’s get down to brass tacks: Is it working?

Governor Youngkin’s directive, wrapped in layers of patriotic enthusiasm, appears to be gaining traction among Virginians. Why? Because after the chaotic mess of the 2020 elections, who wouldn’t want more transparency? The lingering doubts about electronic voting systems have cast a shadow over recent elections, pushing folks to demand a tangible method of voting.

Voter Education and Confidence

But here’s the kicker, folks. It’s not just about the ballots themselves. A study by Mara Suttmann-Lea and Thessalia Merivaki reveals that voter education significantly boosts confidence during elections. Their research highlighted the role of social media, particularly Facebook, in improving voters’ trust in the election process. Turns out, “Use of Facebook by EOs increases voter confidence at personal, local, and state levels.”

The message is clear: Educate the voters, and they’ll feel better about casting their ballots. Youngkin’s mandate is a step in the right direction, but without proper voter education, it’s akin to tossing a stone into a pond and expecting tidal waves.

Confidence in Election Administration

According to Pew Research, the confidence in local election administration is higher than at broader levels. A substantial 90% of voters trust their local election processes, which is leagues better than how they feel about national elections. This local trust is bipartisan, with 96% of Democrats and 89% of Republicans expressing confidence.

That’s a good sign, but let’s not pop the champagne yet. While confidence has improved since the roller-coaster 2020 elections, it’s still not back to the high levels of trust seen in 2018.

The Trump Effect

Let’s not ignore the elephant in the room. The 2020 elections brought a tidal wave of skepticism, particularly among Trump supporters. Yet, states with active Facebook outreach by Election Officials (EOs) saw heightened confidence even among these skeptical voters.

Moreover, the overall confidence in U.S. elections rose from 62% in 2020 to 70% in 2022. However, it’s worth noting the partisan divide here. A mere 56% of GOP voters remain confident in U.S. election administration—a far cry from the 87% in 2018.

Historical Context and Improvements

Going back to the debacle of the 2000 presidential election, we learned a vital lesson: flawed voting systems erode public trust. Up to six million votes were lost due to registration errors and absentee ballot issues, according to the Caltech/MIT Voting Technology Project.

“The butterfly ballot in Florida’s Dade County confused voters, leading to incorrect voting.”

Fast forward to 2022, and while considerable strides have been made, there’s still room for improvement. Youngkin’s paper ballot mandate is a throwback to simpler, presumably safer times. But let’s not kid ourselves; reforms need to be coupled with advanced voter education strategies to be truly effective.

So where does this leave us? Governor Youngkin’s paper ballot mandate is a step—perhaps a small but vital step—in restoring voter confidence. However, this won’t single-handedly fix deep-seated issues in our election system. Adequate voter education, transparency, and proper handling of absentee ballots are essential layers that cannot be ignored.

With less than stellar confidence from GOP voters and a history of election mishandlings, it’s clear that any reform must be multifaceted. Youngkin’s move may seem like a perfect antidote for some, but without addressing these other elements, it’s little more than a Band-Aid on a bullet wound. Stay informed, remain vigilant, and, for the love of democracy, let’s make our elections something we can all trust again.