Letters: Will you vote by mail?

With Monday's Question of the Week, we asked our readers whether they planned to vote by absentee ballot this year. Here are some of the responses we received.It's a rightI don't know if I'm going to vote by mail. But I do know, beyond any shadow of doubt, that I should have the right to vote by mail.LOGAN MCCABEBristolVoting should be easyWhy would anybody that wants a free and fair election have any objections as to persons voting my mail, unless their motive is to suppress the vote?My plans to vote are the easiest way, which will probably be early voting, because our state government has created too many hoops to jump through to even get a mail ballot. Why not just mail the ballots to everybody registered and let them either send them back by mail or present them at their election polling place of choice to vote?We live in the 21st century. Why not have an online option in addition to mail and actual physical voting? We do this with all other types of services, including automobile registration, property tax payments and state and federal income tax payments, why not voting too?WILLIAM PRENDERGASTElizabethtonNot worried about fraudI will vote by mail, confidently. I am not concerned about voter fraud. Data on voter fraud indicate single digit cases in billions. Republican suppression and specious disqualification of African-Americans and others is documented.RUFUS MORISOBristolEveryone should have optionI feel everyone in this state should be able to vote by mail, especially at this time while we are fighting COVID-19. I believe we are guaranteed that right as citizens of the great state of Tennessee.Why would most politicians in Tennessee be worried at all about being either elected or re-elected? Most all have the "R" in front of their name. We all drank the Kool-Aid. Most will be re-elected by a landslide, no matter what they stand for.Voting by mail could save lives and prevent thousands from getting sick.Let's do it. In a few years, it could be the norm. Everyone should be able to vote. Everyone counts.DON WILLIAMSPiney FlatsThese letters we received from readers who shared their opinions on other topics.Brock's doing the right thingI do not know Mayor Jenny Brock personally, but I have read many articles about her leadership in our community and I have heard her speak in person about the future of Johnson City and the challenges we face.During the troubles our country and our community faced last week, I was comforted by the pictures in the paper of the deputy sheriff and the young Black man embracing and by Jenny Brock and the police chief supporting the peaceful demonstration. So I was astonished by the letter calling for her to resign. I can think of no leader in public service from the smallest community to the leader of the country whom I think should resign less than Mayor Jenny Brock.JUDY CHAMPNEYJohnson CityA hug for hopeThe photograph of Black Lives Matter protester Mark Karluah, and Washington County Sheriff's Deputy and SWAT team member David Cate embracing on the front page of the June 4th edition, along with the accompanying story "A hug for hope" did much to breach the wall of stereotyping.It becomes easy in the midst of protests to label a group and use stereotypes, but it all comes down to relationships and treating one another with respect.Both story and photograph deserve to go viral.Well done!TIMOTHY FAULKElizabethtonWant to have your voice heard? Send a Letter to the Forum. Authors must sign their letters and include addresses and phone numbers for verification. Letters may be no longer than 300 words and will be edited for grammar, style and length. Send your submission to Mailbag, P.O. Box 1717, Johnson City, TN 37605-1717 or mailbag@johnsoncitypress.com.