The day after President Trump announced he would lead a movement to get rid of mail-in ballots, I was at a senior living facility with the League of Women Voters. We were there to help seniors request vote-by-mail ballots in upcoming elections.
Even before we set up our table, we were bombarded with questions about the president’s announcement. Is their vote being taken away? Will their vote-by-mail request be honored?
They were truly terrified they would no longer be able to vote because many can no longer tolerate waiting in line or can’t travel to a polling place. The questions came from seniors across the political spectrum; they were not partisan.
It’s already a burden for seniors, and all voters, to have to request a vote-by-mail ballot every
two years (previously it was every four). Many are not computer literate, so requesting a ballot online is not an option. They can call to make a request, but they first have to find the number.
Elected officials must be careful in their grandiose pronouncements. Words have consequences.
Florida ranks first among states in population 65 years and older (20%), and that is projected to continue to increase. We need to make voting access easier for all Floridians, but especially for seniors, who have consistently voted in the past and want to continue as they grow older.
Monica Elliott, Southwest Ranches
The writer is Voter Services Chair for the League of Women Voters of Broward County.
Jay Collins for governor
Florida Lt. Gov. Jay Collins (AP Photo)
Jay Collins, Florida’s new lieutenant governor, is a former state senator, decorated combat veteran, husband and father.
As a Vietnam veteran, I encourage all, especially veterans, to support Jay, especially if you also support our governor. Jay will continue supporting the America First Agenda in President Trump’s last two years. As a decorated veteran, he will not back down from the enemy on the left, as too many politician do. Many politicians are all show and no substance.
Jay has not been focused on planting his face in front of TV cameras. He did an outstanding job as a state senator sponsoring legislation for the good of Florida. As governor, he will continue to work toward making Florida greater.
Richard C. Russell, Port Charlotte
The GOP has lost its way
Republicans in Florida, the U.S. and in the Trump administration have focused their considerable ire at DEI (diversity, equity and inclusion).
I don’t understand why. These three concepts would seem to be aspects of human behavior to be encouraged, not disparaged. To acknowledge that society is made up of different people, and to treat them fairly, is a fundamental principle, one we try and teach our children at an early age.
The opposite of DEI is separation by race or class, inequality and exclusion. How did these become the hallmarks of Republican policy?
Jeff Light, Coconut Creek
Beall’s brilliance
While composing this letter in my head, how my stomach turned watching Putin and his dancing bear on their blood-red carpets. Then I read columnist Pat Beall’s brilliant take-down of the half-baked humiliation in Alaska.
The best insults are those that take a moment to land (e.g., from Beall, “Surely the whole world, and certainly the ketchup bottlers association, wants to keep him happy”).
The only thing she left out was the spectacle of the anti-Christ and the False Prophet giddy in the Biblical beast.
While I greatly miss columnist Fred Grimm, Beall and Scott Maxwell are worthy replacements, with Maxwell’s heavy research and exposure of topics others fear to tread and Beall’s witty, insightful take on current events.
Stuart Goldberg, Parkland
Please submit a letter to the editor by email to letterstotheeditor@sunsentinel.com or fill out the online form below. Letters may be up to 200 words and must be signed with your email address, city of residence and daytime phone number for verification. Letters will be edited for clarity and length.
https://www.sun-sentinel.com/2025/08/28/dont-disrupt-voting-by-mail-letters-to-the-editor/
