You and the Absentee Ballot
UPDATE: You can drop your absentee ballot off at the polls on voting day.
I know very little about you; but I can say this with absolute certainty: Out of all the variety of demographic types that visit this Blog each day; all of you have this one thing in common: you’re short on time.
Now, I’m going to take you back in time, in my little world, to the day the polls were open for the last Presidential election; November, 2004. My Mom was still alive, and we were arguing about who to vote for. The day was blustery cold, and I took two of my children to our Middle School to vote with me. The lines were out… the…. door. And it was only 8:30 in the morning.
I left, thinking I would come back around 10, after the work crowd had left.
At 10, the lines were out… the … door.
I hate voting late in the day. By then, the media is already announcing the clear winner, and they’re basically telling you to throw in the towel and call it a day; don’t even think about voting now.
So, I came back to the polls at 10 that morning, and waited. My husband joined me; and we discussed how our votes were just going to cancel each other’s out anyway, so we should just go home and save ourselves the time. Instead, we voted, and spent a delightful 2.5 hours standing in line with our 3 and 4-year-olds.
You may not have toddlers to entertain at the polls. But I know time is important to you. The absentee ballot was made for you: No lines. No worries. I know what you’re thinking; I like the camaraderie of seeing the neighbors on a cold November morning; sticking it out in the lines and doing our patriotic duty. I’m old-fashioned like that too– I feel like I’m in a Jimmy Stewart movie.
But, let’s get real. If there’s a slight chance that maybe that line could corrupt your entire day; and heaven forbid, stop you for voting — it’s just not worth it. Rent the Jimmy Stewart movie, skip the poles, and vote early. This election is too crucial to leave to fate.
Each state has different guidelines regarding absentee ballots. Absentee voting by mail is allowed in 28 states, with an excuse in 22. No-excuse permanent absentee voting is allowed in 4 states. Early voting in person is allowed with no excuse required in 31 U.S. states, with an excuse in 3, and not at all in 16.
I simply went on-line to request an absentee ballot be mailed to me. (Didn’t even have to talk to someone and be put on hold!) The ballot is set to arrive in a minimum of 7 days. Then, I vote, and I’ll mail it off, and no worries.
To get your own absentee ballot, simply Google search, “absentee ballot YOUR COUNTY board of elections.” They’ll explain what to do, step by step.
Absentee Ballot: It’s a good thing: A nice little way to pamper yourself this election year.
Washington and Oregon solved this problem: We can only vote via the mail.
I agree with you about how easy it is, but I miss the pageantry…
(Or the option, I guess.)
Well, color me stupid today. I had no idea that a person could do this “just because”. That’s some mighty useful information there! Thanks for sharing.
One of the perks of living out in the sticks is that there is no line on voting day.
I think you mean YOUR COUNTY right?
I couldn’t agree more – just put mine in the mail today. Bonus – I got to take my time and research some of the candidates that I wasn’t familiar with. I am still feeling guilty that I didn’t make it to the polls last year – it was rainy and cold and I took one look at my hungry, grumpy toddlers and decided not to go.
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