Posted on 10/28/2004 7:31:05 AM PDT by soccermom
I have been reading several comments where people have stated that they've already mailed their absentee ballots. I can understand that if you are out of your state, in a body cast etc. However, if you are voting absentee out of convenience, a desire to vote early or because, even though you are in-town now you will be out-of-town on election day, PLEASE DO NOT MAIL YOUR BALLOTS!!!!! With all the reports of voter fraud and missing absentee ballots, we can't afford to take any chances. Either hand-deliver your ballot to your polling station on election day (you won't have to wait in line -- just drop it in the box) or hand-deliver the ballot to your county registrar/elections board etc. (I don't know the specific location for your state but it should have that infomation on the ballot.) PLEASE DON'T MAIL YOUR BALLOT and DON'T GIVE IT TO ANYONE ELSE TO DELIVER (other than a spouse, trusted friend etc.)
lol
Geez. A bit paranoid aren't we.
Seems that because there are two ballots this year in California (LOTS of propositions) some of the envelopes weigh 1.1 oz. Thus, if they weigh more than one ounce and only have a 37 cent stamp they will be returned. I've been telling everyone to make sure they put 56 cents on their envelopes, but NOTHING in the instructions indicated that the absentee mailing could require additional postage.
Marked ballots must be mailed or delivered in person reaching the supervisor of elections’ office not later than 7 p.m. on the day of the election. Do not return your voted absentee ballot to a polling place.
:-)
I decided this last night. I asked my husband if he wanted to mail the ballots or drop them off. He said he wanted to mail them. I had a bad feeling about it and told him since the polls open about the same time he leaves for work in the morning (6 am), he could just drop them off on the way. Hope he listens to me.
In some states a hand-delivered absentee ballot IS VOID and cannot be accepted!! Be sure to check your local laws -- you do not want your ballot challenged because it was hand-delivered and did not carry a post mark.
Sorry, but if there isn't a good reason for voting absentee (note the name "absentee") just don't be lazy and go vote on Tuesday.
We can't even have elections that go right and they think this horrible bureaucracy can handle our health care.
I suppose they might have changed the law since then, but you should check your local laws first, before assuming hand delivery is the best route.
Did they take your sign as well?
The postage was a problem here in AZ, also. The post office has agreed to cover the expense for anyone who only posted 37 cents.
Don't listen to the advice here -- you are in danger of having your ballot tossed out!
Read this from the Tennessee Election Commission regarding absentee ballots:
10. Can the ballot be hand delivered?No. The by-mail ballot must be received by the county election commission office through the postal mail.
IF you do your ABSENTEE ballot will be tossed out! Here is the rule for Alabama:
Absentee Voting Eligibility
In the 2004 elections, a voter may cast an absentee ballot if he or sheWILL BE ABSENT FROM THE COUNTY on election day
If the election commission finds a ABSENTEE ballot in the box from the polling location on election day -- it will at least be challenged as fraudulent or even be discarded!!
DON'T FOLLOW THE ADVICE IN THIS POSTING!
Good counsel -- to check out one's state's policies. These do differ state to state. Now I hate to bring up another sore point... however, years ago I was involved in a major initiative in a large state. We experienced problems with the US mail due to some anti-our-initiative activists working at the Main PO in that area. Post Office like all other bureacracies are being infiltrated by anti-Americans. Just a past experience, I'm bringing up here...
I vote absentee and (almost) always deliver it my polling place.
Extremely bad advice.......
An absentee ballot with no postmark is invalid.
At least that is the law in Tennessee and Florida.
Best pay attention before giving advice.
For express mail that would be $13.65.
I ALREADY MAILED MINE IN!!!!
But I'm in Iraq....
I talked yesterday with a friend in Rota, Spain.
He mailed his three days ago. I asked if it would get here in time, and he said he thought so.
He is stationed there with the Navy.
He says that most everyone he knows over there is voting Bush.
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