Definition:
The gathering and submitting of completed absentee or mail-in ballots by third-party individuals, volunteers or workers rather than submission by voters themselves directly to ballot collection sites. It occurs in some areas of the U.S. where voting by mail is common, but some other states have laws restricting it.  Proponents of ballot harvesting promote it as enfranchising those who live in remote areas or lack ready access to transportation, are incapacitated or in hospital or jail. Critics of Ballot Harvesting claim there is a high probability for misappropriation or fraud. 


“Ballot Harvesting” had limited use in the 1950’s but in recent years has gained widespread usage and recognition in the United States. In preparing this website we found many articles from the year 2000 forward discussing the controversies associated with Ballot Harvesting.


The following data is from “MAP (Movement Advancement Project – data valid on 1/5/2024)”. MAP has analyzed each state law to determine how restrictive each state is concerning Ballot Harvesting. The following are their findings:
• Group 1 – States that do not overly restrict ballot harvesting or have no restrictions (17 states plus D.C.)  –  35% of all states including D.C.
• Group 2 – States with some restriction greater than Group 1 (28 States) – 55% of all states including D.C.
• Group 3 – States that allow only the voter to return mail ballots (5 States) – 10% of all states including D.C.


Note:
35% of the States including the District of Columbia have little to no control over ballet harvesting, another 55% of the States impose some control over ballot harvesting and only 10% of States do not allow ballot harvesting.


Questions That Should Be Asked:
The following questions need to be asked and further investigated and/or studied:
• The lack of control over Ballot Harvesting in many States raises the question – Why?  
• It is reasonable to assume that certain elements of our government support Ballot Harvesting due to the fact it supports manipulating the outcome of our elections, if so, – Why?
• Some States support unrestricted Ballot Harvesting – Why?
• In many States voter rolls are not updated annually to remove deceased citizens, non-citizens and non-residents —  Why?  
a). Are ballots mailed to these non-existing residents — If so, – Why?
b). Are these ballots harvested and cast as votes — If so, Why?
c).Are these methods used in our Federal elections – If so, Why?
• Are ballots being harvested from citizens that choose not to vote – If so, why?
• Are extra ballots being printed ahead of the election?  If so, Why ?
• Do some candidates buy harvested ballots before election day – If so, Why? 
• How much do “Harvested Ballots” cost?


Ballot harvesting should not be allowed in our elections for President (popular vote), US Senators and US House of Representatives. The potential for fraud and cheating is too great. Alternative secured methods can be developed to ensure all citizens, that what to vote, have the ability to vote if they cannot get to a State sponsored voting station. For example:
1. Request mail in / absentee ballots
2. State sponsored “Mobile” voting stations, that are secure, for remote locations
3. State sponsored local transportation to official “Voting Sites” for citizens that do not have transportation. 




A “Note” from the author:
It is my opinion that our “Founding Fathers” would have never approved of “Ballot Harvesting”.  These were very wise men and they would have realized that Ballot Harvesting would be abused and taken advantage of by those who do not love and cherish this amazing country and our Democratic Republic.�