Ballot secrecy is being eroded

The spirit of free elections has been gradually but consistently whittled away over the last decade or two in our state and needs to be addressed.

The onset of electronic voting machines, while helpful for charting voter accountability and fighting voting fraud, brought into question the sincerity of the “secret ballot.”

Then there was the period where voters were forced to declare a party, also a threat to the concept of the “secret ballot.”

Now we have a court ruling allowing release of the names of individuals signing petitions, which is a necessary check on our state legislative system to get voter initiated issues on the ballot. Signing such petitions is an indirect part of the voting process. Logic would follow, then, that the concept of the secret ballot is being violated by the vengeance of out-of-state activist Tom Lang.

The mandatory mail-in ballot, once reserved for the infirm, jet setters, college students and military, has robbed our community of the very concept of “election day.” Gone is the solemn ritual of coming together as a community to cast a secret ballot. More importantly, gone is voter confidence in the secret ballot. How plausible is it that a mail-in ballot could be “lost” due to suspicions of the vote contained, due to what might be known about the voting practices of the person whose signature is on the envelope? The mandatory mail-in ballot is a threat to the secret ballot concept of our American democracy, and so is publishing names of petition signers.

Elizabeth S.K. Thoreson

Snohomish

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Opinion

toon
Editorial cartoons for Saturday, July 12

A sketchy look at the news of the day.… Continue reading

Authorities search for victims among the rubble near Blue Oak RV park after catastrophic flooding on the Guadalupe River in Kerrville, Texas, on Sunday, July 6, 2025. The half-mile stretch occupied by two campgrounds appears to have been one of the deadliest spots along the Guadalupe River in Central Texas during last week’s flash floods. (Jordan Vonderhaar/The New York Times)
Editorial: Tragic Texas floods can prompt reforms for FEMA

The federal agency has an important support role to play, but Congress must reassess and improve it.

Comment: Reforms to involuntary committment law can save lives

Washington state should consider changes New York made to protect those who can’t protect themselves.

Comment: Medicaid reforms will keep it for those most in need

Beyond the ‘sky is falling’ claims, the BBB’s reforms to Medicaid are fair and necessary to save it.

Forum: ‘The vibrations hit you deep. You can feel it in your body.’

How the far-off cadence of a marching band’s drums caught a 10-year-old’s ear with the rhythm of the beat.

Harrop: Trump Country should brace for less federal disaster aid

Red states have been among the largest recipients of FEMA aid. Trump says he’ll end that help.

toon
Editorial cartoons for Friday, July 11

A sketchy look at the news of the day.… Continue reading

2024 Presidential Election Day Symbolic Elements.
Editorial: Retain Escamilla, Binda on Lynnwood City Council

Escamilla was appointed a year ago. Binda is serving his first term.

The Buzz: What the mainstream media don’t want you to know

They’re not, but we just liked how that looked at the top of the page and thought you’d read it.

Schwab: Yes, your Medicaid’s gone but you can gloat over gators

What Trump is taking from the social safety net, he’s adding to the cruelty against working immigrants.

Congress’ passage of tax cuts bill marked shameful day for GOP

This July 3 was one of the most shameful days in American… Continue reading

Tell senators to keep vaccine aid by rejecting recissions bill

The Senate could vote on a Trump administration-proposed rescissions package before July… Continue reading

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.