I just flunked Vote by Mail...or did it flunk me?

[bobpark56]

I'm hearing that some folks like this "vote by mail," as they no longer have to drive their dead relatives to the polls anymore.

 

[Brett]

I looked at the PA voting site and was surprised that there is no advice about what to do if you spoil your ballot.

In CA, the ballot is more like thin cardboard than paper. It has questions on both sides. The instructions say to use ball-point (not gel) black pen.

An instruction sheet is included, and both there and on the mail-in envelope it says what to do if you spoil (mis-mark) your ballot. In some counties you sign a different line on the envelope, enclose the ballot, and send it in for replacement. Other envelopes just say to call, and I've never had to do that.

I realize that your election is Tuesday and it's probably too late for that, so call your county election office and ask what to do!

@bbodb1, your suggestion (as I understand it) would compromise the secrecy of your ballot. When the clerk receives the sealed envelope, she verifies the name, address, and signature against your registration record; if it matches, the envelope is opened and the ballot removed (I think by machine in most places now). At that point the source of the ballot can no longer be identified.

that's what they do in Virginia for absentee voting

 

[Rjbeach2003]

Vote by mail doesn't necessarily increase voting, but it can counteract some common means of voter suppression. A friend told me how the number of black and poor white voters were held down in Georgia. Talking about the 60's here. Restricted hours, 9-5, when many people can't get off work and few polling sites. The reduction of polling locations is a common practice now attempting to lower the turnout in certain communities. With vote by mail, I'm and Oregonian, you can mail it over a two week period, or drop it off in a drop box. We have a permanent one at our local library. Easy.

 

[beejaybee]

In lieu of mail-in voting, when possible, I vote at our county elections board. Not sure if Ohio has a tracking system for mailed ballots, but if so, I'd be more trusting that my votes were recorded, but have voted this way when traveling. Our latest polling place is a nearby nursing home- changed from the VFW Hall, which was changed from the closest school. In-person voting is my last choice, but if it's the only choice I will be there the 3rd of November.