Trump has claimed the U.S. is the only country that allows mail-in ballots. He's either a liar or ignorant on what the rest of the world does or both.
Since 2006, when I received my Swiss citizenship I will have voted 80 times, 76 by mail and four in person.
When I took my oath of citizenship, the next voting package was already waiting for me on my seat.
The Swiss mail a voting package to every citizen in the language of their choice: French, Italian, German and Romanish. The format is identical year after year including the colors red for Federal and White for Cantonal. See the photo above.
This package includes:
- Information on the proposal by the sponsor of the Initiative or Referendum. With enough signatures on petitions voters can say if they want a law be withdrawn or a new issue can be put before the entire country.
- A copy of the law or proposal
- The recommendation of Parliament and why on each item
- How every party, and there are many, agree or disagree
- A list of where to vote, although voting stations are only open a couple of hours because most people vote by mail. In many villages coffee, tea and biscuits or croissants are served.
- A return postage-paid envelope
- A numbered verification card to sign
As a voter, there are many sources of info on the issues. Results are usually tallied by late afternoon with results being reported on media and else where.
- The voting package
- Television news including round-table discussions
- Newspaper and magazine articles
- The internet
- Posters created by the pro and con parties. They are identical for all languages and are posted in every village.
Saturday I read the package. Sometimes it's hard going. I checked what the parties were saying. Sometimes that helps. What's hard is when the far right and far left agree.
Sunday, tomorrow, I'll rethink it one last time, mark my ballot, sign the verification card and put it in the envelope.
Monday, I'll mail it well in advance of the mailing deadline. The votation in person would be 8 March.
To see a map of other countries that allow mail-in voting. https://www.newsweek.com/map-shows-countries-mail-ballots-trump-vows-ban-voting-format-2115167
For Saturday lunch, to celebrate my 80th vote we had fondue and champagne from the cave in Môtiers, the first Swiss village where I lived 1990-1993. It just seemed right.
Note: Legally they can't call anything not from the Champagne region in France, champagne, but it seemed more appropriate that I celebrate
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