National Voter Registration Day puts voting access in focus as mail-in ballot debate continues

THOUSAND PALMS, Calif. (KESQ) - September 15th marks National Voter Registration Day, a nationwide nonpartisan effort encouraging eligible Americans to register to vote, check their registration status and prepare for upcoming elections.

But with the November midterm elections just weeks away, some Coachella Valley voters told News Channel 3 their concerns go beyond simply registering.

Questions about the voting process, political division and confidence in mail-in voting are all weighing differently on voters as Election Day approaches.

For Coachella Valley resident Kim Bechtel, the frustration begins with the country's political divide.

“Everything's so messed up in the air,” Bechtel said. “Each side's blaming the other side and neither side can get back together and vote to improve this country. They're out for themselves.”

That political divide is now colliding with another national legal fight over how Americans cast their ballots.

On Monday, the U.S. Supreme Court declined to allow the Trump administration to enforce new U.S. Postal Service requirements for mail ballots before the November midterms.

The proposed rule would have required states to provide certain voter information to the Postal Service and use USPS-approved, uniquely barcoded envelopes for mail ballots. The Trump administration argued the requirements would strengthen election integrity. States and voting-rights groups challenging the rule argued the changes could disrupt legitimate mail voting and exceeded the federal government's authority over elections.

The Supreme Court's action leaves lower-court orders blocking the requirements in place while the broader legal challenge continues.

For California voters, that means the existing process remains in place for the November 3 election.

Every active registered voter in California will automatically be mailed a ballot. Voters can return that ballot through the mail, take it to an official drop box or voting location, or choose to vote in person instead.

Coachella Valley resident Dan Arguien said he still plans to vote by mail.

“We're going to vote by mail. It's easier for us,” Arguien said. “We don't have to worry about going out or going anywhere.”

When asked about confidence that a mailed ballot would be counted, Arguien acknowledged the debate but said it has not changed his plans.

“I'm hoping it is,” Arguien said. “Mail-in voting has been going on for a long time, so I don't see an issue really, not as far as that's concerned.”

For Donovan Knott, he said that he is still looking into registering to vote. If he does cast a ballot this November, he said he would be more comfortable doing it in person.

“I don't know, I think I'd have to go in person,” Knott said. “I'm an in-person kind of guy.”

Those different preferences are part of the range of options California voters have heading into November.

Veronica Triano said she prefers to personally drop off her ballot, in part because a drop-off location is convenient to where she lives. But she said the national debate surrounding mail voting does not change what she considers most important.

“I think you just have to do what feels best for you,” Triano said. “There's no right or wrong so long as you vote.”

National Voter Registration Day is intended to bring attention to that first step in the process. The annual effort began in 2012 and brings together election officials, nonprofits, schools, businesses and other organizations to help eligible voters register or update their information.

In California, the regular deadline to register online or have a registration application postmarked for the November 3 general election is October 19. People who miss that deadline can still use California's conditional voter registration process through Election Day.

Counties must begin mailing ballots to active registered voters no later than October 5. Secure ballot drop-off locations begin opening October 6, with additional early and in-person voting options becoming available as Election Day approaches.

Election Day is Tuesday, November 3.