[daltec]

Generally I would agree, but not everybody can make it to an official polling place on Election Day. My father, for example, got sick and was confined to the hospital for a few weeks and missed Election Day 2012. He was able to vote via absentee ballot, but leaving the hospital for any reason was absolutely out of the question. Nor could he schedule his stay around elections (he didn't choose when he got sick, after all).

Likewise, there are situations when otherwise healthy people simply cannot make it to the polls on Election Day. Suppose an out-of-state parent or sibling dies, and you need to travel for the funeral? I believe a person in that situation should be allowed to vote via absentee ballot.

But I agree 100% with "those who put PERSONAL PLEASURE before DUTY should not be allowed to vote."

[5th MEB]

An absentee ballot must be requested by the potential voter, I agree with you that there are occasions when an absentee ballot is appropriate.
Your fathers case is a good example; also the issue of a death in the family, family being Grand Parent, Mother, Father, Sibling, Aunt, Uncle, Cousins. My point being Immediate Family.
All of these cases and requests are verifiable through a doctor’s orders or a death or funeral notice.
Same verification I required of all my employees, and my employer required from me when the occasions came up.
Don’t have any problem with that; these are legitimate reasons and verifiable.