For mail-in voting, Erie County residents won't need to add stamps. Here's why

Erie County voters will not have to pay for postage when returning their mail-in or absentee ballots in the upcoming November election.

On Friday, the Erie County Board of Elections voted to authorize the use of county funds to pay for postage on mail-in and absentee ballots. That means voters who choose to vote by mail will be able to complete and return their ballots in their included envelopes without incurring any postage costs.

“I feel very strongly about providing the best opportunity for everyone to have their vote counted,” Erie County Councilman Rock Copeland said. “In my view, it’s free to vote on Election Day. I’m not sure that people should have to incur any cost or to give money to the government ― in effect, the Postal Service ― to have their vote counted.”

Copeland added, "People that are experiencing a disability and an inability to leave their home request a mail-in ballot because they’re not able to get to a polling place, and therefore, may also have a hard time going to get postage. This is an opportunity to make sure that everybody’s vote is counted and they don’t have needless restrictions on their right to vote.”



https://www.goerie.com/story/news/politics/elections/local/2024/09/10/early-voting-ballot-postage-to-be-paid-by-erie-county/75107266007/