If there is a 2% error rate on mail in ballots

[Cattledog]

2.15 million votes would be cast aside – roughly the population of New Mexico.

https://www.usatoday.com/in-depth/news/investigations/2020/10/08/rejected-mail-ballots-projected-major-factor-2020-election/3576714001/?fbclid=IwAR1nwI2qCrU0FS5BhXzSUGwspk0SFn5GeJNWNaBCRFXJCANJ0LfQyrq3hEA

[still_one]

1. That is why people have to carefully follow the instructions based on their state for submitting

their mail in ballots, including signing and dating the ballot

[Hoyt]

2. Following instructions ain't that hard. Personally, I believe Democrats are smarter than GOPers. So

it's not like all the votes that have an issue will be for Democrats.

[PTWB]

3. Actually it is going to be a bigger problem for us.

Assuming voters from both parties spoil their ballots at roughly the same rate, if Democrats are 5 times more likely this year to vote by mail due to Covid, we will lose 5 times more ballots than them.

It is a big deal.

[Hoyt]

4. A bigger problem would be telling Democrats not to vote by mail, at this point. Plus, I'm sorry,

but it's not that hard to follow directions and I don't think we are as stupid as some folks seem to think.

I know Democratic organizations are, even in my rube-state, helping people follow the requirements and putting out PSA.

[Jersey Devil]

5. But what % of those votes would not be cast at all if it had to be in person?

If more people vote overall due to mail in ballots there would still be a net gain in total votes.

[Awsi Dooger]

6. This is why Biden's poll lead is likely inflated from actual

It's not merely a matter of preference and voter intent. Those mail ballots have to bypass all the road blocks to be received and counted.

Some won't arrive in time, no matter the emphasis. Others will be spoiled. Since Democrats will vote by mail probably double to Republicans, more of our votes won't count. Basic math and logic. That is especially true since so many first time mail voters will make careless mistakes like not using the security envelope.

I don't know how to estimate the loss rate. Hopefully it will be somewhat offset by prior non-voters deciding they'll try it if all they have to do is stick something in the mail.

Drop boxes are not a factor. Only a fraction will go that route. Let's default to real world common sense and not fanciful visions. Specialized forums like this one inflate outlier mode to absurd degree.

[Rice4VP]

7. That's why I voted in person

I don’t have the patience to fill out most forms and I don’t like going to the post office and we don’t have drop boxes.

[LisaL]

8. My guess is going to be more set aside.

As mail in vote became much more popular because of covid.
But by the same token, if not able to vote by mail, how many people would not vote at all?