Gov. Brown pushing for prepaid mail ballots

SALEM, Ore. (AP) – Gov. Kate Brown is urging Oregon lawmakers to pass a measure that would pay for prepaid postage on mail-in ballots.

Oregon became the first state in the nation to conduct elections exclusively through mail. The switch was meant to boost voter turnout and the state now boasts one of the highest electoral participation rates in the country.

But the governor says that the postage stamp can act as “a functional barrier” for voters, especially for low-income and young people who are less likely to have stamps.

California and Washington state have already passed measures requiring election officials to provide prepaid mail ballots.

The United States Postal Office has said that it will still deliver mail-in ballots without a stamp.

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News release from Gov. Kate Brown’s office:

Governor Kate Brown Details Support for Expanding and Defending Democracy Legislation

(Salem, OR) — Governor Kate Brown testified in support of SB 861, a legislative proposal for paid postage on Oregon ballots. The Governor identified defending and expanding democracy, including through paid postage, as one of her key priorities in her budget and policy agenda. She was proud to co-introduce this legislation with Secretary of State Dennis Richardson, the Bus Project, and 41 additional co-sponsors.

“While Oregon is at the forefront of voter access, to maintain a strong democracy, we must take further actions to ensure voter accessibility,” said Governor Brown. “And frankly, the stamp is a functional barrier for voters with disabilities or rural voters who may live far from any drop box. It’s time to make everyone’s mailbox a drop-box–at no cost to the voter.”

Governor Brown’s testimony can be found here.