Posted on 11/01/2004 4:49:46 PM PST by repub_phdstudent
I am a 22-year old living and attending school in New York City, and I have been an avid supporter of our President from day one. I re-registered to vote two months ago in my hometown, which is located in Essex county, New Jersey, after having been registered in the town of my undergraduate institution for the last four years. I also applied for an absentee ballot, anticipating that because I had just moved to NYC to begin my graduate school career at NYU, I would probably not have the opportunity to return to New Jersey on election day. My registration card came, but I never received my absentee ballot. Now, I am at a loss and it appears as if I will be unable to vote.
As if my inability to be heard as a young American who stands to inherit this wonderful country some day is not upsetting me enough, to hear of other young college-aged students who are currently attending Rutgers University in the middle portion of New Jersey, not receiving their ballots angers me more. These are students who will get to vote for the first time--I had my chance four years ago when I turned 18. These are students who also come from New Jersey and have the opportunity to show the rest of the country that 911 was a real event, that Homeland Security is a real issue, and that even a state that historically votes the Democrat ticket is not blinded by the letter next to each candidates' name. Is it not strange that some of my Democrat constituents have received their ballots?
I did my part and 'wrote my Senator' but he has not responded. I hope and pray that it has not been a significant number of residents who have been disenfranchised in New Jersey. Every vote for President Bush will count and it is deterring and disheartening that many of our voices will not be heard, simply because we are trying to become educated and productive citizens.
It's not that simple, sorry to say. If you have applied for an absentee ballot you cannot vote at the polls. An "A" will be stamped in the book next to your name.
You should go the the county courthouse and get a court order allowing you to vote a provisional ballot since you did not receive the absentee ballot. When they check and find that you haven't voted absentee, they'll validate and count your provisional ballot.
Call your county board of elections to find out which judge to see.
Given the closeness of the race, your vote will make a difference here in NJ.
Vote in person.
Swim the Hudson if you must, but vote.
It's that simple.
It is that important. If Kerry wins and loses NJ by a slim margin, you'll be kicking yourself afterwards if you don't vote!
It's not that simple, sorry to say. If you have applied for an absentee ballot you cannot vote at the polls. An "A" will be stamped in the book next to your name.
Is that true because I secured a means in to NJ and I can't afford to go all the way there if they won't let me vote....
Does that mean you could explain scientifically why liberals have such poor cognition of the facts and such a skewed perception of reality? :)
I actually have a book idea about that and have been seriously considering it for a long time...
If your form hasn't turned up, there's a chance your name has ben marked on the rolls.
If it's been marked, affirm that you haven't seen the form and demand your democratic right to elect the next president, or rather, re-elect this one.
They can't deny you that right. But you have to be prepared to make a fuss.
As for losing school time, don't let it bother you. Buses and trains are fine places for studying.
My son had the exact same problem. He is a grad student in New Haven. He didn't get his absentee ballot until last Tuesday. I hope it makes it back to Illinois in time. BTW, I am an election judge in Illinois. We don't count the absentee ballots until after the polls close. We then check the books to see if the person voted on election day in person. If that happens, the absentee ballot is thrown out.
It's not that simple, sorry to say. If you have applied for an absentee ballot you cannot vote at the polls. An "A" will be stamped in the book next to your name.
If I received a sample ballot, does that mean that I am able to vote in person?
"It's not that simple, sorry to say."
Take the train to jersey and vote. It is that simple. If there is some bureaucratic problem, howl disenfranchisement and stand your ground. Jersey is a battleground state.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.