You tear off the strip and that is your receipt. That would be equivalent to signing in at the polls. Yes No ???
Go back to the absentee ballot only and stop the mail in ballot. Get to the polls....that is YOUR duty. It is not the duty of the state to drag a vote out of you.
Early voting....Federal Election...should all be the same. One week before (7 days) and no more. Absentee ballots valid if postmarked on or before election day and received no later that 5 days (incl Sat & Sun) after the polls close.
No votes to be opened or counted until the close of election day.