The Hartley Sentinel-The Everly/Royal News - Serving O'Brien & Clay Counties

Two months from today, Americans will vote in what is arguably the most important election in our lifetime. Yet, 62 days out, the ballot is awash in a sea of controversy. Due to safety concerns during the pandemic, many do not want to go to the polls and prefer to vote by mail instead. With the future of this country at stake, we must ask ourselves if the mailbox can be a reliable substitute for the ballot box.

There are two ways to cast a ballot by mail: Universal mail-in voting and absentee voting. Many assume they are the same, but they are not. While both ballots are exactly alike, the pro...