Mail In Voting

[bobnyce]

I don't think anyone in their right mind would be concerned with mail in voting except for timing issues, received on time. However, if anyone is proposing mass mailings to all residents that are not registered voters, then everyone should have a problem.

Right now you must request an absentee ballot. It is checked and confirmed that you are a registered voter and mailed to you where you requested. Then you must return the ballot within a certain time limit or your vote is not counted.

That's fine! But, having the post office mail by reduced price mass mailing to everyone is ridiculous! If you cannot take the time to register to vote by mail, car registration at any county office then you don't deserve to vote. Voting is an obligation of every citizen but not every one in the county is a citizen and they certainly do not have the right to vote.

[hoskinsonrl@gmail.com]

The post office does not/will not mail ballots to everyone. They will mail to registered voters only! If you are not registered to vote you will not receive a ballot. In Florida you have to request a ballot be sent to you

[davem4616]

way I look at it is, if I feel safe going to the grocery store, I can certainly go vote in person

we did early voting on Saturday in Lake County....they're taking all kinds of precaution around social distancing
you keep the pen they give you to mark your ballot, they sanitize the booth area when you finish, the workers are all wearing masks...and have gel to sanitize your hands if you don't have any

we felt perfectly safe.

[sunny56]

I have already heard from people I know that mail in ballots have been sent to dead people, that people that have moved out of state, or just moved towns. Those ballots are now sitting around waiting from someone to fill out and send in. Don't think that is very safe.

[retiredguy123]

The post office does not/will not mail ballots to everyone. They will mail to registered voters only! If you are not registered to vote you will not receive a ballot. In Florida you have to request a ballot be sent to you
How do you define a registered voter? There are people who are listed as registered voters, but who no longer live at the same address, have left the state, have committed felonies, live some place where other people have access to their mail, or they are dead. That is the problem with mail in voting. I consider myself in my right mind, but I have a huge problem with mail in voting. I don't have a problem with absentee voting, if the voter has sent in a specific request for a ballot with verifiable information that they are eligible to vote.

[Bucco]

How do you define a registered voter? There are people who are listed as registered voters, but who no longer live at the same address, have left the state, have committed felonies, live some place where other people have access to their mail, or they are dead. That is the problem with mail in voting. I consider myself in my right mind, but I have a huge problem with mail in voting. I don't have a problem with absentee voting, if the voter has sent in a specific request for a ballot with verifiable information that they are eligible to vote.

Definition and check for legitimacy is the same as if you show up in person.

[retiredguy123]

Definition and check for legitimacy is the same as if you show up in person.
Dead people don't usually show up in person.

[JGVillages]

The post office does not/will not mail ballots to everyone. They will mail to registered voters only! If you are not registered to vote you will not receive a ballot. In Florida you have to request a ballot be sent to you

My Brother-in-Law in California received 2 Ballots for their recent current election. One was addressed to Lawrence ***** and the other to Larry *****.
Even if a ballot is requested, the government and it’s affiliated agencies, will find a way to screw it up often enough to make the accuracy of a mass Presidential vote questionable at best. With the technology available now days, if our lawmakers really wanted prioritize developing an accurate and efficient voting system, it would be in place. Unfortunately government and inefficiency are synonymous so here we are again and again.

[Bucco]

Chief of Staff Meadows this morning when told there is zero evidence on illegal or any kind of election fraud connected with mail in voting, said..."there is no evidence that there isn't any either"

Dazzling (and very confusing logic)

[ithos]

Voting in person provides the highest degree of certainty that your vote will count. Mail in voting if done properly can minimize fraudulent and invalidated votes. Florida has adequate protocols for mail in ballots in my opinion.

Local jurisdictions for the most part have done a terrible of keeping the voter registrations current. So last minute mass mailing of ballots would be plagued with the type of fraud in confusion we have seen in Patterson, NJ and New York City this primary season. And once a vote is counted it can not be undone. The biggest problems with mail in voting is that you lose the chain of custody. And it can be lost in the mail, especially with mass balloting.

Every fraudulent vote counted is a vote denied by someone else. We should have the highest standards. Either with ID in person or a pin number for mail in ballots similar to what you use for debit cards. Too many votes get disqualified by signature verification.

https://www.pewtrusts.org/~/media/legacy/uploadedfiles/pcs_assets/2012/pewupgradingvoterregistrationpdf.pdf
https://www.whitehouse.gov/sites/whitehouse.gov/files/docs/pacei-voterfraudcases.pdf

[davem4616]

My Brother-in-Law in California received 2 Ballots for their recent current election. One was addressed to Lawrence ***** and the other to Larry *****.
Even if a ballot is requested, the government and it’s affiliated agencies, will find a way to screw it up often enough to make the accuracy of a mass Presidential vote questionable at best. With the technology available now days, if our lawmakers really wanted prioritize developing an accurate and efficient voting system, it would be in place. Unfortunately government and inefficiency are synonymous so here we are again and again.


At the heart of the matter is the fact that the individual state voter registration reference files are not being maintained in real time...they are not current. People move, people die, people change their names and the voter registration reference files are not updated/purged in real time.

When we moved to FL and registered to vote here we never notified the state that we left asking them to remove us from their voter registration file. You just trust that the new state will inform the previous state. Well, as Dr. Phil asks: "How's that going for you?"....how high up is that on the priority list given the budget crunch every state is currently dealing with?

Certainly seems like the death certificates aren't being entered into many of the state reference files. Years after my father passed we received a new blue 'handicap' tag you hang on the rearview mirror in the mail for him. If the death certificate didn't purge the state's reference files, certainly you'd have thought that the final income tax filed for a deceased person would have done it. Nope...sounds like every program uses it's own reference file and they're not synchronized across departments.

Remember Florida couldn't convert to the EZ Pass for years because their software was different and they didn't have sufficient funds to make the s/w changes needed. So we had onw device for the FL Turnpike and another for every other state going up the Atlantic seaboard that collected tolls. I still carry both...just to be sure.

I mention that because there's every reason to believe that every state may have a 'home grown' unique voter registration reference file system that isn't capable of talking to another state's system...maybe they're 'mapping' the voter registration change information sent to them from another state, but maybe they're still keying it in somewhere down in the basement too....lol

I oversaw a group that was tasked with managing the timeliness and accuracy of the finance and procurement system's reference files used on a worldwide basis for a Fortune 100 Hi Tech company....took them awhile to get the files under control....but it took years to get everyone around the globe to change their 'unique' programs to be able to use the right worldwide files at the right time....we threw tons of $$$$ at it and I'd put money down that some folks are still 'mapping').

Anyone that thinks the states could clean up their voter registration files in time to accurately generate and send out ballots to only legitimate voters for the upcoming elections never worked in the belly of this beast.

Now, absentee ballots are a different animal...the states should be able to individually verify that the information in the data base is aligned with the information on the request.

Combine the likelihood of outdated/inaccurate reference files with the question of whether the USPS could actually handle this volume on a timely basis and you have a perfect storm on the horizon

[bobnyce]

My point was, without verification, voting by mail is not legitimate. The fact that I can make a credit card purchase and it immediately appears on my account, tells me no one is even trying to keep voter records up to date. Therefore, unless verified, voting by mail is worthless. I support voter id in every state. Even the Villages requires an id for every amenity! Voting is much more important. How to get and keep voter files by state officials is the problem. Heck they can’t even match drivers with car insurance records or tags. That’s why you and I pay for uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage. What do you expect? How many workers did not get their unemployment checks and the same politicians are responsible for voter records. No wonder we question the results when every county does their own voter id in almost every state?

[Kilmacowen]

Mail in voting is the same as absentee in Mass. I received an APPLICATION with a bar code that I signed and mailed back. I am also registered on the 2020 census with my signature. The bar code will be scanned to be certain that there is not a duplicate. I will receive a ballot with the same verification procedures. I also heard that I will be able to check online that my ballot has been received and counted.

[Byte1]

No, mail in voting is not the same as absentee voting. Absentee voting is where one requests/REQUESTS a ballot and it is mailed specifically to them. Mail in voting is a scheme by one party to force voting and do not care whether or not it gets to the right person or not. The ballots are mailed to supposed registered voters (dead, alive or moved out of state, doesn't matter) and then whomever receives the ballot fills it in and mails it back. There are big problems with that idea and easily hosed up. I have moved around many times in my lifetime, and recently moved even here. My ballot does not get to me so I don't get to vote. It goes to someone else and they decide to fill it in and send it along, or it gets forwarded and doesn't get to me in time.

SOrry, but if you can go shopping weekly for groceries or whatever or play golf, you can walk up to a SAFE voters booth and cast your vote. Lets face it, the reasoning is either laziness, fraud, crooked and or abusive to expect mail in voting to be legit. Shoot, the gov can't even get the stimulus checks sent out correctly and sent checks to thousands of dead people.

I have no problem with absentee voting, IF someone cannot get out to vote. Hardly anyone in this country can't get out to vote. Those living overseas, yes.

Get off your duff and go to the polling station. It's going to be safer than anything else you are doing when you leave your home.

[njbchbum]

Dead people don't usually show up in person.

LOL You obviously aren't from New Jersey!

[Marvic 1]

I also heard that I will be able to check online that my ballot has been received and counted.
Will it also let you know if the ballot has been tampered with?

[Kilmacowen]

No, mail in voting is not the same as absentee voting. Absentee voting is where one requests/REQUESTS a ballot and it is mailed specifically to them. Mail in voting is a scheme by one party to force voting and do not care whether or not it gets to the right person or not. The ballots are mailed to supposed registered voters (dead, alive or moved out of state, doesn't matter) and then whomever receives the ballot fills it in and mails it back. There are big problems with that idea and easily hosed up. I have moved around many times in my lifetime, and recently moved even here. My ballot does not get to me so I don't get to vote. It goes to someone else and they decide to fill it in and send it along, or it gets forwarded and doesn't get to me in time.

SOrry, but if you can go shopping weekly for groceries or whatever or play golf, you can walk up to a SAFE voters booth and cast your vote. Lets face it, the reasoning is either laziness, fraud, crooked and or abusive to expect mail in voting to be legit. Shoot, the gov can't even get the stimulus checks sent out correctly and sent checks to thousands of dead people.

I have no problem with absentee voting, IF someone cannot get out to vote. Hardly anyone in this country can't get out to vote. Those living overseas, yes.

Get off your duff and go to the polling station. It's going to be safer than anything else you are doing when you leave your home.

No, I did not request a ballot. As a registered voter , I was sent an application for a ballot from my town, not the government. After approval, a ballot will be sent. Same as absentee. This is being done because of covid. You have to consider the volunteers not only the voters. Just who is going to volunteer? In the past, I have always volunteered to work at the polls. This year I have to consider my wellbeing.

[Kilmacowen]

Will it also let you know if the ballot has been tampered with?

I have worked as a volunteer at the polls for years. Yes, they are checked for tampering same as absentee, no difference.

[mamamia54]

Mail in voting will be a disaster. I see no reason why responsible people just can’t go vote. Wear a mask, social distance and sanitize. If you can go shop in Publix or any other store, than you can go vote.

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

Mail in voting will be a disaster. I see no reason why responsible people just can’t go vote. Wear a mask, social distance and sanitize. If you can go shop in Publix or any other store, than you can go vote.

Mail-in voting is ALREADY done all over the country. It's nothing new, it's nothing you need to "get used to." You're not even required to do it. It's an option, one that has gained in popularity as a result of restrictions nationwide due to a pandemic during election season.

Mail-in voting started during the Civil War. If you aren't comfortable mailing in your ballot, don't. Go to the polls and vote in person.

For those who are not comfortable voting in person, mail-in voting is an option. It's BEEN an option in Florida for 20 years.

It's only a "thing" for people with an agenda, and people who get suckered into buying that agenda.

[mtdjed]

The post office does not/will not mail ballots to everyone. They will mail to registered voters only! If you are not registered to vote you will not receive a ballot. In Florida you have to request a ballot be sent to you

The US Post Office does not mail ballots. Since Ballots vary so much from state to state, county by county, precinct by precinct, city by city, it would seem that the responsibility to mail ballots would be with the lowest common denominator. The US Post Office processes the mail.

[mtdjed]

Mail-in voting is ALREADY done all over the country. It's nothing new, it's nothing you need to "get used to." You're not even required to do it. It's an option, one that has gained in popularity as a result of restrictions nationwide due to a pandemic during election season.

Mail-in voting started during the Civil War. If you aren't comfortable mailing in your ballot, don't. Go to the polls and vote in person.

For those who are not comfortable voting in person, mail-in voting is an option. It's BEEN an option in Florida for 20 years.

It's only a "thing" for people with an agenda, and people who get suckered into buying that agenda.

Absentee voting like you said has been done in Florida for years but not necessarily without problem. See attempt to correct comment.

Florida bill aims to cure balloting woes, streamline counts – WSVN 7News | Miami News, Weather, Sports | Fort Lauderdale (https://wsvn.com/uncategorized/florida-bill-aims-to-cure-balloting-woes-streamline-counts/)

And this is the uncontested issue. Absentee balloting OK.

But the issue being discussed is not ABSENTEE Ballots.

Amazing how some try to use absentee ballot success (with some problems) as the demonstration that state , city, district, mailout of unsolicited ballots. Is it too hard to figure out that they are two different issues.

[DONS999]

People please help me understand !!
The states that want to send a mail in ballot to all registered voters , answer me this , for all those wanting to vote in person there is no way to verify that the voter hasn't already mailed in the ballot he received at is home. So you have millions being able to vote twice "the Chicago way.

This is why you can only do requested absentee mail in ballots and never mass mail out to all registered voters

[J1ceasar]

Just a quick comment concerning mail in balloting and voting. I suggest you Google voting by mail in Paterson New Jersey. Just recently they had a huge scandal with both parties getting arrested I holding back about 20%! Of the votes. I'm not talkin one two or three people, but 4000 + ballots not being provided to be counted out of about 16,000 votes. It's a scary thought when you consider how the state of California has more people registered to vote then they actually have in their population. Was the fact that the common joke in Chicago is that mr. Smith who died 10 years ago just voted 10 times there is no way then mailing in balloting will not have hundreds of thousands of issues was being counted correctly across 87,000 voting districts or even if you'll know ever if your vote counted until they come up with some sort of computerized check and you personally check your own vote I will stick the good old fashioned pulling a lever or blackening a oval on a sheet

[Tom2172]

Many 2020 case of fraudulent mail in voting! There are no safe guards! Pennsylvania is suing to be able to count mail in ballots 10 days after the election, 10 days
So after election night - they will know haw many mail in ballots to find to determine the winner. There will be no election integrity.
Stalin said “he who counts the ballots wins”
2020 he with the largest printing press Churning out mail in ballots will wins
20,000 American drivers licenses from China found the other day in Chicago

[billyb1950]

No, mail in voting is not the same as absentee voting. Absentee voting is where one requests/REQUESTS a ballot and it is mailed specifically to them. Mail in voting is a scheme by one party to force voting and do not care whether or not it gets to the right person or not. The ballots are mailed to supposed registered voters (dead, alive or moved out of state, doesn't matter) and then whomever receives the ballot fills it in and mails it back. There are big problems with that idea and easily hosed up. I have moved around many times in my lifetime, and recently moved even here. My ballot does not get to me so I don't get to vote. It goes to someone else and they decide to fill it in and send it along, or it gets forwarded and doesn't get to me in time.

SOrry, but if you can go shopping weekly for groceries or whatever or play golf, you can walk up to a SAFE voters booth and cast your vote. Lets face it, the reasoning is either laziness, fraud, crooked and or abusive to expect mail in voting to be legit. Shoot, the gov can't even get the stimulus checks sent out correctly and sent checks to thousands of dead people.

I have no problem with absentee voting, IF someone cannot get out to vote. Hardly anyone in this country can't get out to vote. Those living overseas, yes.

Get off your duff and go to the polling station. It's going to be safer than anything else you are doing when you leave your home.

Well said. I voted in-person early last Wednesday @ Laurel Manor. The place was more sterile than any facility I have been to...possibly as sterile as a hospital operating room.

[riley2011]

The post office does not/will not mail ballots to everyone. They will mail to registered voters only! If you are not registered to vote you will not receive a ballot. In Florida you have to request a ballot be sent to you

How does the post office know who’s registered to vote?

[ficoguy]

What’s the point of having an ejection day at all? Make it year round. Why make the effort for a day? 20 percent of the people will lose their ballots and then rush down to the polls only to be told you can’t vote twice - then the cry of “voter suppression” will be howled into the night. And if you can’t read th Ry should have pictures of the candidates where you can put an X instead of fully filling in the circle with black or blue ink - yes that’s right - no orange magic marker....oh wait, but every vote needs to be counted regardless of the instructions...I am still getting ballots from NJ even though I moved to FL 3 years ago.

[Bay Kid]

We are looking more and more like a 3rd world country.

[Jacksig]

Everyone goes to Walmart; Cosco; etc. Easy fix-Put voting stations in the stores!

[oneclickplus]

I don't think anyone in their right mind would be concerned with mail in voting except for timing issues, received on time. However, if anyone is proposing mass mailings to all residents that are not registered voters, then everyone should have a problem.

Right now you must request an absentee ballot. It is checked and confirmed that you are a registered voter and mailed to you where you requested. Then you must return the ballot within a certain time limit or your vote is not counted.

That's fine! But, having the post office mail by reduced price mass mailing to everyone is ridiculous! If you cannot take the time to register to vote by mail, car registration at any county office then you don't deserve to vote. Voting is an obligation of every citizen but not every one in the county is a citizen and they certainly do not have the right to vote.

Well, that may be your local area (FL). In many states including MD where I am at the moment, UNSOLICITED mail in ballots are being mailed to EVERY registered voter whether requested or not. So, ballots are definitely going out to dead people as these rolls are not cleaned up regularly. Furthermore, people who move are not removed from the rolls. I have five(5) ballots here. Me, my wife and three adult children. All three children have moved out of state. It would be beyond easy for me to mail those ballots in with my choices. See the problem. This problem is just about everywhere. And, it is significant.

And, it's not a "timing" issue as you suggested.

[jillv]

I don't think anyone in their right mind would be concerned with mail in voting except for timing issues, received on time. However, if anyone is proposing mass mailings to all residents that are not registered voters, then everyone should have a problem.

Right now you must request an absentee ballot. It is checked and confirmed that you are a registered voter and mailed to you where you requested. Then you must return the ballot within a certain time limit or your vote is not counted.

That's fine! But, having the post office mail by reduced price mass mailing to everyone is ridiculous! If you cannot take the time to register to vote by mail, car registration at any county office then you don't deserve to vote. Voting is an obligation of every citizen but not every one in the county is a citizen and they certainly do not have the right to vote.
If you won a million dollars in the lottery would you mail in your winning ticket or would you redeem it in person? Treat your vote like it's worth a million dollars and vote in person.

[mamamia54]

Everyone goes to Walmart; Cosco; etc. Easy fix-Put voting stations in the stores!

There you go!

[ficoguy]

I can see Cook County in Illinois already making the rounds of the cemeteries to register voters

[Mohawksin]

The post office does not/will not mail ballots to everyone. They will mail to registered voters only! If you are not registered to vote you will not receive a ballot. In Florida you have to request a ballot be sent to you
We need a much better certification process that assures the 'registered' voter is alive and registered in only one jurisdiction, for me to be convinced there is no fraud. Seems very difficult to un-register voters.

[ficoguy]

Same with me in NJ. My son and I both get ballots mailed to us in VA and FL. Nuts

[LG999]

Absentee ballots are controlled. Mail in voting is chaos. The fraud will be in the chaos.

[toeser]

I don't think anyone in their right mind would be concerned with mail in voting except for timing issues, received on time. However, if anyone is proposing mass mailings to all residents that are not registered voters, then everyone should have a problem.

Right now you must request an absentee ballot. It is checked and confirmed that you are a registered voter and mailed to you where you requested. Then you must return the ballot within a certain time limit or your vote is not counted.

That's fine! But, having the post office mail by reduced price mass mailing to everyone is ridiculous! If you cannot take the time to register to vote by mail, car registration at any county office then you don't deserve to vote. Voting is an obligation of every citizen but not every one in the county is a citizen and they certainly do not have the right to vote.


There is a ton of misunderstanding and misinformation out there, partially because of the terms being used.

Absentee ballots - each person has to request one. Few people have a problem with this system.

Mail-in ballots - this should be termed "mail out ballots" because some states are taking their entire list of registered voters and mass mailing them ballots. The problem is that few states do a decent job of keeping those lists current. These ballots go out to dead people, people who have moved, people now in prison, etc. This just makes the whole process wide open for abuse.

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

Absentee voting like you said has been done in Florida for years but not necessarily without problem. See attempt to correct comment.

Florida bill aims to cure balloting woes, streamline counts – WSVN 7News | Miami News, Weather, Sports | Fort Lauderdale (https://wsvn.com/uncategorized/florida-bill-aims-to-cure-balloting-woes-streamline-counts/)

And this is the uncontested issue. Absentee balloting OK.

But the issue being discussed is not ABSENTEE Ballots.

Amazing how some try to use absentee ballot success (with some problems) as the demonstration that state , city, district, mailout of unsolicited ballots. Is it too hard to figure out that they are two different issues.

Because at least in Florida, THERE IS NO UNSOLICITED BALLOTS.

It's not a thing, here.

No one is getting an actual ballot, unless they have actually requested one.

What is being unsolicited is a "request for ballot" form. Registered voters are getting them in the mail. You STILL can't vote by mail if you get one of these forms. You have to physically fill it out, and physically return that form to the Supervisor of Elections, and you have to wait for them to verify it and then mail you the physical ballot. And THEN you can fill that in and mail it in.

YOU have to ask THEM for the ballot. There are two things going on here:

Request for Ballot Form

and

Ballot.

The former is being sent to registered voters, unsolicited.
The latter MUST be requested from the voter, using that form.

[Bill1701]

Mail in voting will be a disaster. I see no reason why responsible people just can’t go vote. Wear a mask, social distance and sanitize. If you can go shop in Publix or any other store, than you can go vote.

Yes, and possibly wait in line for hours to do so because there will not be enough workers to man the voting places. I have used mail-in voting for years and there was never a problem. Some states use only mail-in voting.

[nancymiller217@yahoo.com]

They will mail to registered voters only!

Voter registration lists are not kept up to date. Last time I checked, I was still registered at my two previous addresses. In some jurisdictions they have more registered voters than adults.

[gail swanson]

Well said

[GoPacers]

State and federal governments (i.e. those that we elect to address societal issues) could easily solve the "voting problem" if they really cared to do so. We have proven we can solve almost any problem as a country if we make it a priority. The reason states mail ballots to "everyone" is they have done nothing to keep their voter records current so the only way to ensure you don't leave someone out is you send the ballot to everyone. If you think mailing ballots to everyone gets folks upset, the legal morass of leaving folks out would be far, far worse.

While it may look like governments are encouraging voter fraud/malfeasance, that isn't the problem. It's all about incompetence and CYA by those responsible for ensuring everyone is able to exercise their legal right to vote. This happens every four years and yet most states do nothing in the interim years to make sure this doesn't happen again. If this happened in any business those responsible would be fired. In the case of our elected officials they lie and try to convince us they have done all they can and it's someone else's problem.

[retiredguy123]

The premise for this issue should be that everyone wants a fair and accurate election. But, the problem is that a lot of people don't want the votes to be counted accurately.

[Langwelld]

According to the Wall Street Journal, tens of thousands of people will receive ballots they aren't legally entitled to cast. (Over one million deceased people received stimulus checks. )
There is no way to confirm how many eligible voters never received a ballot.
There is no way to verify how many people received multiple ballots
We cannot guarantee that ballots will be revived on time.
And finally, there is no way to verify that ballots arrive at the location where they can be legally cast.
Absentee ballots avoid all these problems, because the are pre-verified.

[Langwelld]

Sorry about typos

[wiltma]

I have already heard from people I know that mail in ballots have been sent to dead people, that people that have moved out of state, or just moved towns. Those ballots are now sitting around waiting from someone to fill out and send in. Don't think that is very safe.

The signatures won’t match

[chuckpedrey]

For reliable information concerning voter fraud visit www.judicialwatch.com. Tom Fitton is a non-partisan watch dog that could easily be labeled a “pit bull”

[GoPacers]

In Clark County, Nevada they did this for the primary this year and 223,000 ballots were not able to be counted.

223,000 ballots not counted? I'd suggest someone do a bit more research on that. 200,000 ballots were returned as "undeliverable" and just over 10,000 ballots that were returned were not able to be counted for very specific reasons. Claiming that a ballot that was undeliverable was "not counted" is a gross mischaracterization of the actual facts.

Indy Analysis: What led to thousands of uncounted ballots in Nevada’s 2020 primary election? (https://thenevadaindependent.com/article/analysis-what-led-to-thousands-of-uncounted-ballots-in-nevadas-2020-primary-election)

[Kilmacowen]

Because at least in Florida, THERE IS NO UNSOLICITED BALLOTS.

It's not a thing, here.

No one is getting an actual ballot, unless they have actually requested one.

What is being unsolicited is a "request for ballot" form. Registered voters are getting them in the mail. You STILL can't vote by mail if you get one of these forms. You have to physically fill it out, and physically return that form to the Supervisor of Elections, and you have to wait for them to verify it and then mail you the physical ballot. And THEN you can fill that in and mail it in.

YOU have to ask THEM for the ballot. There are two things going on here:

Request for Ballot Form

and

Ballot.

The former is being sent to registered voters, unsolicited.
The latter MUST be requested from the voter, using that form.

EXACTLY. Same in Massachusetts, ballot requests are sent out and signature, bar code checked same as absentee. Get rid of all unless in person.

[Windguy]

Mail-in voting worked great in Colorado and I don’t remember anyone making a big stink out of fraud. And, being a purple state, one would think that the losers would scream “fraud!” but I don’t remember that ever happening.

For those who say it is different from absentee, I don’t get it. We had to request it when we registered. Do some people die after the request? Sure, just like they might after requesting an absentee ballot. But, there are safeguards in place. Signatures are checked. This year, I logged into the Sumter site to request a ballot. When I sent mine in, I checked the box that said I wanted ballots for future elections.

This is just an attempt to disenfranchise voters. I doubt any of us are single parents raising kids while working two or three minimum-wage jobs. People in that position can’t afford to take time off from work (if they are even allowed!). Mail-in voting allows them to have a say in our government. It doesn’t make any difference how they found themselves in that situation. We retired people can smugly sit in our nice houses as we look down our noses at them, but they have just as much right to vote as we do.

[wiltma]

How do you define a registered voter? There are people who are listed as registered voters, but who no longer live at the same address, have left the state, have committed felonies, live some place where other people have access to their mail, or they are dead. That is the problem with mail in voting. I consider myself in my right mind, but I have a huge problem with mail in voting. I don't have a problem with absentee voting, if the voter has sent in a specific request for a ballot with verifiable information that they are eligible to vote.

If someone has committed a felony, they won’t be a registered voter. In Florida, you have to request a ballot, they don’t just send it to everyone and you have to ask again after so many years and utilize it or they won’t send it to you again. Very safe in Florida

[stadry]

if you believe these proposed general mail-in ballots are the same as current requested absentee ballots, you should also believe in voter identification.

[LowOnCash]

I'm in my right mind and I can assure you that mail in voting will be a "Train Crash" if anyone is healthly enough to go out of their hose and fuel up their car or pick up groceries, as important as this election is then "get Out and Vote"!

[donassaid]

And just how do you expect the Post Officd to know who is a registered voter or not? If some one or some Party delivers ballots to be mailed out, the Post Office is going to mail them. Atty. General Barr just said that he had 23 relatives who received ballots from California who no longer live in the State.

[Marvic 1]

223,000 ballots not counted? I'd suggest someone do a bit more research on that. 200,000 ballots were returned as "undeliverable" and just over 10,000 ballots that were returned were not able to be counted for very specific reasons. Claiming that a ballot that was undeliverable was "not counted" is a gross mischaracterization of the actual facts.

Indy Analysis: What led to thousands of uncounted ballots in Nevada’s 2020 primary election? (https://thenevadaindependent.com/article/analysis-what-led-to-thousands-of-uncounted-ballots-in-nevadas-2020-primary-election)

GoPacers,
You made it very clear that MAIL-IN-BALLOT voting does NOT work..
Thank you for your input! :ho:

[meridian5850]

Everyone has heard about fraud being perpetrated on different government bodies, but somehow that won't happen with mail-in ballots. Yeah, right.

We keep being told that masks and social distancing work, so there is no reason not to vote in person or absentee if you're afraid to go out. Check this out (https://www.facebook.com/ken.rowland.338/videos/10221055183468133/)

[SHNOK]

But, someone can show up at the poll using the dead person's name. It has happened many times in some states.

[ficoguy]

My deceased grandfather has voted in 2 elections now. I’m trying to find out who in NJ got ahold of his absentee ballot - the signature is not the same but the county clerk apparently does not verify

[Shoresands]

As a Virginia Assistant Precient Chief I offer an educated opinion.
Mail in and absentee voting are different. Absentee requires a legitimate reason and mail in does not. A big risk to mail in is many,probably hunreds of thousands of votes, may not count. During in person voting a huge number of people make mistakes, marking ballots wrong, voting for 2 or for the wrong person and trying to mark out one, accidentally putting pen tip on ballot, etc. We catch that when they deposit the ballot in the DS200 and it gets rejected. Results, spoiled ballot and a chance at a do over. Mail in, as well as absentee, ballots get ONE CHANCE ONLY! Screw up and your ballot is not counted!! I have seen very intelligent people mess it up. Imagine hundreds of thousands of errors.

[GoPacers]

GoPacers,
You made it very clear that MAIL-IN-BALLOT voting does NOT work..
Thank you for your input! :ho:

Nice try but WRONG. All this proves is if you mail something (anything) to an address that is not valid for the intended recipient it won't be delivered.

As stated, these were not legitmate ballots that were cast and not counted so no voter fraud of any kind was involved and not a single voter was disenfranchised.

All these are nothing more than wasted taxpayer dollars - reinforcing the statement that our elected officials have no interest in solving problems. They are only interested in keeping their jobs by any/all means necessary.

Dig deeper than a headline to learn something.

[EviesGP]

Keep in mind that each state makes their own rules/laws on governing and administering voting! Not all states use the same method. That's why some states were trying to implement universal mail-in balloting(meaning send out ballots to EVERYONE), until they were caught and challenged. The issue with that, is the integrity(i.e. verify ID and signature?), as well as, the handling(harvesting). Harvesting should not be allowed!

Then, there's the timing/dating. Some states/people think they should mail their votes in any time, and it should arrive on time, and/or be counted, regardless? That's not realistic. Unfortunately, the news on USPS lately, is all about timing and delays. That's being clouded by the postal unions complaining about their overtime being cut. USPS, for years, has been in decline, as letters/mail is not used as much, due to email(et al). And, with UPS and Fedex(et al), their parcel service has declined. They(unions) are trying to use the voting as their reason to push back on the overtime restriction. I know of a few folks that worked in USPS. Most of them rely(ed) on overtime, and purposely used a system to almost guarantee it. The gig is up.

Unlike Absentee voting, Mail-in voting should be by exception, not rule. If we can all go to Walmart and stand in a line, we can go to the polling stations.

Remember..."in Chicago, 5 out of every 4 voters, vote Democratic!" Cheers! :) :) :)

[CanTho]

At the heart of the matter is the fact that the individual state voter registration reference files are not being maintained in real time...they are not current. People move, people die, people change their names and the voter registration reference files are not updated/purged in real time.

When we moved to FL and registered to vote here we never notified the state that we left asking them to remove us from their voter registration file. You just trust that the new state will inform the previous state. Well, as Dr. Phil asks: "How's that going for you?"....how high up is that on the priority list given the budget crunch every state is currently dealing with?

Certainly seems like the death certificates aren't being entered into many of the state reference files. Years after my father passed we received a new blue 'handicap' tag you hang on the rearview mirror in the mail for him. If the death certificate didn't purge the state's reference files, certainly you'd have thought that the final income tax filed for a deceased person would have done it. Nope...sounds like every program uses it's own reference file and they're not synchronized across departments.

Remember Florida couldn't convert to the EZ Pass for years because their software was different and they didn't have sufficient funds to make the s/w changes needed. So we had onw device for the FL Turnpike and another for every other state going up the Atlantic seaboard that collected tolls. I still carry both...just to be sure.

I mention that because there's every reason to believe that every state may have a 'home grown' unique voter registration reference file system that isn't capable of talking to another state's system...maybe they're 'mapping' the voter registration change information sent to them from another state, but maybe they're still keying it in somewhere down in the basement too....lol

I oversaw a group that was tasked with managing the timeliness and accuracy of the finance and procurement system's reference files used on a worldwide basis for a Fortune 100 Hi Tech company....took them awhile to get the files under control....but it took years to get everyone around the globe to change their 'unique' programs to be able to use the right worldwide files at the right time....we threw tons of $$$$ at it and I'd put money down that some folks are still 'mapping').

Anyone that thinks the states could clean up their voter registration files in time to accurately generate and send out ballots to only legitimate voters for the upcoming elections never worked in the belly of this beast.

Now, absentee ballots are a different animal...the states should be able to individually verify that the information in the data base is aligned with the information on the request.

Combine the likelihood of outdated/inaccurate reference files with the question of whether the USPS could actually handle this volume on a timely basis and you have a perfect storm on the horizon

You have spelled it out clear, concise, and in my view accurate and common sense.

And yet their are some who will argue the exact opposite simply because they just don't want to listen to the truth.

Nothing at all will change their mind, nothing at all. 1+1= 2 nope. Looking outside it's pouring with rain, nope even though it is.

[Scorpyo]

I love it. Mail-in or no mail-in voting is the most newsworthy event in our lives today. What a bunch of crap. I'm surprised they haven't come up with VVM. Voters Votes Matter. If the people who represent us are really concerned about getting an actual and honest vote count, which I firmly believe they aren't, they could ask people with brains for their opinions. For example they could extend the voting period to say 5 days. Then they could have seniors only from 8 AM to 10 AM each day (or something like that). Costco did that for shoppers and it seemed to work out fine. I'm sure there's other great ideas out there. But then again, why would I compare a successfully run private enterprise with a blankety blank run you know what.

[goldseekur]

I have already heard from people I know that mail in ballots have been sent to dead people, that people that have moved out of state, or just moved towns. Those ballots are now sitting around waiting from someone to fill out and send in. Don't think that is very safe.

I know for fact that if the signatures don't match on the mail in ballot, the ballot is kicked out! Signature is checked same as if you go vote personally.

[MandoMan]

I don't think anyone in their right mind would be concerned with mail in voting except for timing issues, received on time. However, if anyone is proposing mass mailings to all residents that are not registered voters, then everyone should have a problem.

Right now you must request an absentee ballot. It is checked and confirmed that you are a registered voter and mailed to you where you requested. Then you must return the ballot within a certain time limit or your vote is not counted.

That's fine! But, having the post office mail by reduced price mass mailing to everyone is ridiculous! If you cannot take the time to register to vote by mail, car registration at any county office then you don't deserve to vote. Voting is an obligation of every citizen but not every one in the county is a citizen and they certainly do not have the right to vote.

There are mass mailings that go to everyone with a mailbox, and then there are selective mass mailings that are sorted by zip code and street to facilitate machine stamping. These get a much lower postage rate than regular first class. This is how subscriber’s magazines are sent: only to subscribers. But they are still mass mailings. I do NOT believe ballots will go to every mailbox. Only to the mailboxes of registered voters, and to the NAME of those voters.

If you are voting by mail, as will I, and you want your vote to count, return your ballot by mid-October. There are some states that won’t open any mail-in ballots until Election Day, but most will open them secretly and check their veracity in advance.

If you figure you can post your ballot on Election Day and it will get postmarked that day, well, that may not happen, and your vote may not count. Deadlines are deadlines, and we want to know who wins. I suspect that a lot of votes will be disqualified because they are late, but so it goes. People have been warned. It’s easy to pop the ballot into the mailbox.

[GoPacers]

I love it. Mail-in or no mail-in voting is the most newsworthy event in our lives today. What a bunch of crap. I'm surprised they haven't come up with VVM. Voters Votes Matter. If the people who represent us are really concerned about getting an actual and honest vote count, which I firmly believe they aren't, they could ask people with brains for their opinions. For example they could extend the voting period to say 5 days. Then they could have seniors only from 8 AM to 10 AM each day (or something like that). Costco did that for shoppers and it seemed to work out fine. I'm sure there's other great ideas out there. But then again, why would I compare a successfully run private enterprise with a blankety blank run you know what.

There are so many rational and easily adopted ideas for solving this issue. But, as you state, we're asking people (elected officials) who have no idea how to actually get anything accomplished to enact legislation that might cost them their job since the only way they can keep their job is to ensure those that don't like/agree with them are not allowed their legal voice (vote). If our elected officials were actually held accountable to voters they might just start doing their job(s).

I also agree that everyone should be responsible for casting their OWN VOTE in person, by mail or in the future via the internet (it's coming - just maybe not in our lifetime). If you are going to vote by mail then there needs to be a reasonable cutoff to allow states to validate your vote. Ballot harvesting or anything remotely related to such a practice should never be allowed.

[davem4616]

No, I did not request a ballot. As a registered voter , I was sent an application for a ballot from my town, not the government. After approval, a ballot will be sent. Same as absentee. This is being done because of covid. You have to consider the volunteers not only the voters. Just who is going to volunteer? In the past, I have always volunteered to work at the polls. This year I have to consider my wellbeing.


actually, you did receive the application from the government....every incorporated town in Massachusetts is part of the government of the Commonwealth

that said, kudos to you for choosing to play it safe and honoring your decision to do so

[Holpat39]

Mistakes are made. For instance I get mail in ballots for myself and husband, then we go and vote at a polling place and then my dog gets a mail in ballot so I fill that out also, then my husband and myself request absentee ballots, get them and vote again. Are there enough people to cross check each person's name to make sure they only receive one ballot to vote. This is hypothetical only.

[jbrewer70]

Actually the post office is mailing ballots to everyone who is a resident. Not just to registered voters. They are also sending them to cats , dogs , deceased people and several to some people. So it’s not a reliable method to have a legally accurate system and can be used for fraud. Not something we would want for something as important as an election.

[MaxCat]

There is much inaccurate and incorrect "information" being put out there about mail in voter fraud -- with the only intent to scare people and suppress the vote. Don't fall for it. Fraud -- in all methods of voting, including mail -- is extremely low aa validated by The Heritage Foundation, which is a conservative organization known to be reliable and accurate. The fact is that, in Florida, every citizen in our state is afforded, by law, the right to vote early or by no excuse absentee mail ballot. And it has been this way for a number of years and has a proven track record of being safe and secure. To vote by no excuse absentee mail ballot, the registered voter must request a ballot be sent to them. A reason why you want to vote by that method is not required (this is the no excuse part) so also you do not have to succumb to others who may be pressuring you to vote they way they want you or badgering you to tell them why you can't go to the polls. Again, state law guarantees your right to early voting and no excuse mail in absentee voting.

For more info, go here: Vote-by-Mail - Division of Elections - Florida Department of State (https://dos.myflorida.com/elections/for-voters/voting/vote-by-mail/)

By the way, I am not a Republican or a Democrat -- but a lifelong registered Independent who is passionate about every American citizen having their right to vote protected. And am appalled at some of the shenanigans going on right now in an attempt to suppress our vote. Don't let it happen. Pick the method of voting that feels right and safe to you and go for it -- whether it is in person, early, or by mail -- exercise your right to vote. What is important is to CAST YOUR VOTE!

[ficoguy]

If it is checked it is minimal, or very liberal lee-way is given to the signature.
Also, an "X" counts as a legal signature.

[ficoguy]

In Atlantic County, NJ, a bag of 600 ballots was delivered to the election board, but the ballots were all postmarked he day after election. The post office said it made a mistake. The ballots were accepted. The late ballots turned the tide the the Democrat. What a surprise. So the post office can't even get the postmark date right. They will be finding bags of ballots up to January 20, 2021...

[xNYer]

I have already heard from people I know that mail in ballots have been sent to dead people, that people that have moved out of state, or just moved towns. Those ballots are now sitting around waiting from someone to fill out and send in. Don't think that is very safe.

Ballots are sent to those who requested them. There is a procedure fill them out in a privacy sleeve and sign them. Signatures are checked against the ones on file. I’ve been doing this for years and this is the first election I have heard of any controversy regarding it.

[ficoguy]

You can vote absentee, and then go to the polling place on election day and claim you never got it your ballot, or misplaced it - you will then get a provisional ballot - which is supposed to be cross checked, but as we know, every vote must be counted ( at least twice ). This is how elections are stolen at the municipal level and county level in New Jersey. Then there are the famous "messenger ballots" engineered by the Callaway brothers, that flip close elections every time.

[tonycirocco@me.com]

"People I know",....right.

[Marvic 1]

Nice try but WRONG. All this proves is if you mail something (anything) to an address that is not valid for the intended recipient it won't be delivered.
That's BS, I still get mail intended for the person that use to live in this house before me...
Hummmm, I might get their ballots.... :coolsmiley:

As stated, these were not legitmate ballots that were cast and not counted so no voter fraud of any kind was involved and not a single voter was disenfranchised.
So the persons those ballots were intended for lost their votes or had to show up in person..
This that anyway to run an election! :ohdear:

All these are nothing more than wasted taxpayer dollars - reinforcing the statement that our elected officials have no interest in solving problems. They are only interested in keeping their jobs by any/all means necessary.
I agree, waste for printing and distributing ballots and the cost of stamps.
Just imagine these older thousands upon thousands of volunteers comparing and matching millions upon millions of signatures.... :popcorn:

Dig deeper than a headline to learn something.
Try a little harder and use some common sense, it's all you need to figure this out on your own..... :ho:

[RMarkland]

The post office does not/will not mail ballots to everyone. They will mail to registered voters only! If you are not registered to vote you will not receive a ballot. In Florida you have to request a ballot be sent to you
Please don't get voting by mail (mass mailing to all registered voters) confused with absentee ballots. Absentee ballots are requested by the voter, and are verified both prior and after. Mass mailing has no protections, plus can you imagine the time spent checking to make sure that some people are not voting twice? If $3.5 billion will solve this issue with the USPS and assuming that they have 50 million to deliver the cost will be about $70 each to deliver. Maybe we should consider Uber?

[jebartle]

I'm not sure its possible to comment on this thread and still be in good graces with TOTV moderator, soooooo, I'll hope that in a few months, my hopes and prayers will be answered. So much misinformation, please folks, factcheck, Google, don't spread lies. Remember that bar of soap your parents threatened those that told lies.

[rstebbins]

well in some states i hear they are giving illegals a drivers license. Then guess what is the requirement to register to vote a drivers license. Why can all states adopt the florida system. you prove you are a citizen to register to vote. they give you like 10 days to cast your ballot- weekend, evening etc. Do there is no excuse not to be able to get to a poll unless you are out of town. They had wonderful precautions in place at the voting location. very save

[jimjamuser]

At the heart of the matter is the fact that the individual state voter registration reference files are not being maintained in real time...they are not current. People move, people die, people change their names and the voter registration reference files are not updated/purged in real time.

When we moved to FL and registered to vote here we never notified the state that we left asking them to remove us from their voter registration file. You just trust that the new state will inform the previous state. Well, as Dr. Phil asks: "How's that going for you?"....how high up is that on the priority list given the budget crunch every state is currently dealing with?

Certainly seems like the death certificates aren't being entered into many of the state reference files. Years after my father passed we received a new blue 'handicap' tag you hang on the rearview mirror in the mail for him. If the death certificate didn't purge the state's reference files, certainly you'd have thought that the final income tax filed for a deceased person would have done it. Nope...sounds like every program uses it's own reference file and they're not synchronized across departments.

Remember Florida couldn't convert to the EZ Pass for years because their software was different and they didn't have sufficient funds to make the s/w changes needed. So we had onw device for the FL Turnpike and another for every other state going up the Atlantic seaboard that collected tolls. I still carry both...just to be sure.

I mention that because there's every reason to believe that every state may have a 'home grown' unique voter registration reference file system that isn't capable of talking to another state's system...maybe they're 'mapping' the voter registration change information sent to them from another state, but maybe they're still keying it in somewhere down in the basement too....lol

I oversaw a group that was tasked with managing the timeliness and accuracy of the finance and procurement system's reference files used on a worldwide basis for a Fortune 100 Hi Tech company....took them awhile to get the files under control....but it took years to get everyone around the globe to change their 'unique' programs to be able to use the right worldwide files at the right time....we threw tons of $$$$ at it and I'd put money down that some folks are still 'mapping').

Anyone that thinks the states could clean up their voter registration files in time to accurately generate and send out ballots to only legitimate voters for the upcoming elections never worked in the belly of this beast.

Now, absentee ballots are a different animal...the states should be able to individually verify that the information in the data base is aligned with the information on the request.

Combine the likelihood of outdated/inaccurate reference files with the question of whether the USPS could actually handle this volume on a timely basis and you have a perfect storm on the horizon
That was a GREAT post. Kudos squared.

[Andyb]

The outside of the mass mailing ballots has identification that you are either a Democrat or Republican. Would anyone want to take a chance on that? With all the hands touching these ballots, what the chances yours is going to be thrown out? Marked with a D or an R after the number listed on the outside of the mailing.

[Jayvee]

Who’s going to check signatures to make sure they match?

[rmd2]

Yes, and possibly wait in line for hours to do so because there will not be enough workers to man the voting places. I have used mail-in voting for years and there was never a problem. Some states use only mail-in voting.

What States do only mail-in voting?

[sunny56]

I know for fact that if the signatures don't match on the mail in ballot, the ballot is kicked out! Signature is checked same as if you go vote personally.

I don't know about you, but my signature has changed over time and I was able to vote for years on the same old signature. I doubt they were checking them as it should have been flagged many times.

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

Mistakes are made. For instance I get mail in ballots for myself and husband, then we go and vote at a polling place and then my dog gets a mail in ballot so I fill that out also, then my husband and myself request absentee ballots, get them and vote again. Are there enough people to cross check each person's name to make sure they only receive one ballot to vote. This is hypothetical only.

You can't get an absentee ballot on election day. Absentee ballots are available only until 10 days before election day. After that, you can't get them at all.

So your hypothetical is irrelevant.

[mtdjed]

I know for fact that if the signatures don't match on the mail in ballot, the ballot is kicked out! Signature is checked same as if you go vote personally.

How could you know that ?? Each and every voting precinct in the US has their own system. As stated before, many of the election personnel are volunteers and have their own standards

When I lived in Massachusetts, they did not even check my ID and certainly not my signature. I was asked to give my address and name. They then checked the voting role which was listed by address. They would go to the stated address and would cross off my name, and hand me a ballot.

[mtdjed]

You can't get an absentee ballot on election day. Absentee ballots are available only until 10 days before election day. After that, you can't get them at all.

So your hypothetical is irrelevant.

Not so. In Florida you can get an absentee ballot the day before the day before the General Election in person. At least that could be mailed by Nov 3

Absentee voter deadlines
Application by mail - Oct 24
Application in person - Nov 2
Submission by mail - Nov 3
Submission in person - Nov 3


In Connecticut, you can request the Application by mail on Nov 2 and you must mail it by Nov 3. Now that would work well.

Absentee voter deadlines
Application by mail - Nov 2
Application in person - Nov 2
Submission by mail - Nov 3
Submission in person - Nov 3

It varies by state. So to that effect, the whole crisis concerning the US Post Office is again a red herring. The states don't even have requirements that make sense.

[bpascani]

Not only that, but, now you can vote IN PERSON, at polling places, before 3Nov. Requesting absentee ballot, early voting, or, on day voting, is plenty of options...AND, as a poll watcher, there are still cheaters...

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

Not so. In Florida you can get an absentee ballot the day before the day before the General Election in person. At least that could be mailed by Nov 3

Absentee voter deadlines
Application by mail - Oct 24
Application in person - Nov 2
Submission by mail - Nov 3
Submission in person - Nov 3


In Connecticut, you can request the Application by mail on Nov 2 and you must mail it by Nov 3. Now that would work well.

Absentee voter deadlines
Application by mail - Nov 2
Application in person - Nov 2
Submission by mail - Nov 3
Submission in person - Nov 3

It varies by state. So to that effect, the whole crisis concerning the US Post Office is again a red herring. The states don't even have requirements that make sense.

From the Florida Department of State website:

What is the Deadline to Request that a Vote-by-Mail Ballot be Mailed
The deadline to request that a vote-by-mail ballot be mailed is no later than 5 p.m. on the 10th day before the election. A Supervisor of Elections must mail the ballot out within 2 business days after a request and the last day for a Supervisor to be able to mail out a ballot is 8 days before the election.

Vote-by-Mail - Division of Elections - Florida Department of State (https://dos.myflorida.com/elections/for-voters/voting/vote-by-mail/)

No idea where you got your information but that's from the state government website, as linked above.

The Connecticut absentee ballot application must be RECEIVED by November 2. And, if you wait that long, you might not get your ballot in time and you'd have to either vote in person or forfeit your vote. Ballot requests are available October 2, so you have plenty of time to submit the request. If you need an emergency ballot up to 6 days before the election there's a whole separate form for it.

FAQ - Absentee Balloting (https://portal.ct.gov/SOTS/Election-Services/FAQ/FAQ---Absentee-Balloting)
Absentee Voting (https://portal.ct.gov/SOTS/Election-Services/Voter-Information/Absentee-Voting)

[mtdjed]

From the Florida Department of State website:



Vote-by-Mail - Division of Elections - Florida Department of State (https://dos.myflorida.com/elections/for-voters/voting/vote-by-mail/)

No idea where you got your information but that's from the state government website, as linked above.

The Connecticut absentee ballot application must be RECEIVED by November 2. And, if you wait that long, you might not get your ballot in time and you'd have to either vote in person or forfeit your vote. Ballot requests are available October 2, so you have plenty of time to submit the request. If you need an emergency ballot up to 6 days before the election there's a whole separate form for it.

FAQ - Absentee Balloting (https://portal.ct.gov/SOTS/Election-Services/FAQ/FAQ---Absentee-Balloting)
Absentee Voting (https://portal.ct.gov/SOTS/Election-Services/Voter-Information/Absentee-Voting)

I was responding to your statement that said that all requests for Absentee ballots must be submitted 10 days in advance. My assumption was that you were referring to all requests in the USA. When I fact checked it, I found that in Florida a request for absentee ballot by mail is required 10 days early, but , you can get an absentee ballot in person , the day before in Florida.

My point is that in Connecticut they say you can request the ballot by mail by Nov 2. And you have to submit it by Nov 3. Obviously you can ask earlier, but for a state to have a deadline for a mail in request, shows that they are not ready for the election or simply do not understand that mail delivery takes time.

For your information, I am providing a website where you can get information for elections in all US voting areas. Cannot vouch for the accuracy, but shows that 10 days is not universal.

Regards

absentee voting application Florida - Bing (https://www.bing.com/search?q=absentee+voting+application+Florida&FORM=HTVSTA&tf=U2VydmljZT1HZW5lcmljQW5zd2VycyBTY2VuYXJpbz1Ib3d Ub1ZvdGUgUG9zaXRpb249VE9QIFJhbmtpbmdEYXRhPVRydWUgR m9yY2VQbGFjZT1UcnVlIFBhaXJzPXNjOkZMO2k6Q2hlY2tBYnN lbnRlZTtwOnJlcXVlcnk7IHw%3d&hs=esMsI7%2fKFiUR%2fiu%2fY%2fvCRRo3nyYVQ1PRYGFGUnq %2fCU8%3d)

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

For your information, I am providing a website where you can get information for elections in all US voting areas. Cannot vouch for the accuracy, but shows that 10 days is not universal.

Regards

absentee voting application Florida - Bing (https://www.bing.com/search?q=absentee+voting+application+Florida&FORM=HTVSTA&tf=U2VydmljZT1HZW5lcmljQW5zd2VycyBTY2VuYXJpbz1Ib3d Ub1ZvdGUgUG9zaXRpb249VE9QIFJhbmtpbmdEYXRhPVRydWUgR m9yY2VQbGFjZT1UcnVlIFBhaXJzPXNjOkZMO2k6Q2hlY2tBYnN lbnRlZTtwOnJlcXVlcnk7IHw%3d&hs=esMsI7%2fKFiUR%2fiu%2fY%2fvCRRo3nyYVQ1PRYGFGUnq %2fCU8%3d)

Your link is to a search results page from Bing.

1. I don't use Bing, and don't click on links to Bing search results.
2. It's a search result which means - it's a listing of every website that Bing found containing the words "absentee voting application Florida." It's not a link to a singular website.

I know 10 days isn't universal, however it's not uncommon in this country. Connecticut is a weird one for sure. But we're not in Connecticut. And most people who vote by mail would request their ballot LONG before that 10-day period, even if they were allowed to request it the day before. Absentee voters tend to be pretty savvy about that kind of thing :)

[Carlsondm]

Vote by mail or absentee ballots are used by nursing home residents without cars, by Americans who must work out of town on Election Day, by many traveling retirees. I used it when I was healing from surgery, and found I qualified later to continue voting by mail. It was very convenient, legal and monitored. President Trump has requested to vote by mail this November also. It is a safe and well tested system that has been around for decades.

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

Vote by mail or absentee ballots are used by nursing home residents without cars, by Americans who must work out of town on Election Day, by many traveling retirees. I used it when I was healing from surgery, and found I qualified later to continue voting by mail. It was very convenient, legal and monitored. President Trump has requested to vote by mail this November also. It is a safe and well tested system that has been around for decades.

Not decades. It's been around since the Civil War, in 1864. So that'd be - for 156 years.
Florida had officially become a state only 20 years prior.

[golfing eagles]

Your link is to a search results page from Bing.

1. I don't use Bing, and don't click on links to Bing search results.
2. It's a search result which means - it's a listing of every website that Bing found containing the words "absentee voting application Florida." It's not a link to a singular website.

I know 10 days isn't universal, however it's not uncommon in this country. Connecticut is a weird one for sure. But we're not in Connecticut. And most people who vote by mail would request their ballot LONG before that 10-day period, even if they were allowed to request it the day before. Absentee voters tend to be pretty savvy about that kind of thing :)

Even the dead ones?????:1rotfl::1rotfl::1rotfl:

[Tom2172]

Absentee Ballots are controlled

Mass mailings of Mail in ballots are for stealing elections. There are no controls no safe guards, No chain of custody to ensure that ONLY every qualified voter gets only one vote

Voter nullification is when one honest vote

Is nullified by 5,000 fictitious random mail-in votes

[Alaska Butch]

How does the post office know? Answer: They dont. It depends on the state and even county actually in most jurisdictions.on how their system works.

[alfredpopcorn@gmail.com]

Mail in ballots are voters that also need to register. Not these mass mailings. It’s third world BS .

[egmcaninch]

I don't think anyone in their right mind would be concerned with mail in voting except for timing issues, received on time. However, if anyone is proposing mass mailings to all residents that are not registered voters, then everyone should have a problem.

Right now you must request an absentee ballot. It is checked and confirmed that you are a registered voter and mailed to you where you requested. Then you must return the ballot within a certain time limit or your vote is not counted.

That's fine! But, having the post office mail by reduced price mass mailing to everyone is ridiculous! If you cannot take the time to register to vote by mail, car registration at any county office then you don't deserve to vote. Voting is an obligation of every citizen but not every one in the county is a citizen and they certainly do not have the right to vote.

I could be wrong, but I think the issue is with states that send out ballots to everyone on their voter registration rolls, whether they as for them/register or not. Can you imagine the number of people on the rolls who are either deceased r no longer live in the state, etc? The way Florida does it seems to be working well.

[Windguy]

If it is checked it is minimal, or very liberal lee-way is given to the signature.
Also, an "X" counts as a legal signature.
Only if that’s what you used for a signature when you registered.

[skarra]

Because at least in Florida, THERE IS NO UNSOLICITED BALLOTS.

It's not a thing, here.

No one is getting an actual ballot, unless they have actually requested one.

What is being unsolicited is a "request for ballot" form. Registered voters are getting them in the mail. You STILL can't vote by mail if you get one of these forms. You have to physically fill it out, and physically return that form to the Supervisor of Elections, and you have to wait for them to verify it and then mail you the physical ballot. And THEN you can fill that in and mail it in.

YOU have to ask THEM for the ballot. There are two things going on here:

Request for Ballot Form

and

Ballot.

The former is being sent to registered voters, unsolicited.
The latter MUST be requested from the voter, using that form.


You summed it up well - that’s how it works in MA.

No problems with that. Standing in a long line on polling day does not make any sense whatsoever in today’s environment.

Give people the option. It’s not rocket science.

[Snowprint]

I see nothing “ridiculous “ about making it easy to exercise your voting franchise. You make think someone should have to request something that is their right, but I don’t think you should have to make any extra effort to vote. Instead of making voting more difficult, what’s the problem with making voting as easy possible?
The “problem” is that there are many people, and ewe know who they are, that don’t believe everyone should be able to vote and try their best to make voting difficult. They talk about “voter fraud”, for example, when it doesn’t exist to even be a statistic. They make thousands and thousands of people, as seen in Georgia, vote at a single spot with impossibly long lines while more affluent White areas have plenty of voting sites that have no lines or minimum wait.
As Joseph Goebbels said, if you repeat a big lie long enough, people will start to believe it. We see that teaching being practiced today.
Everyone should be able to vote with the least effort possible. The only people against doing that are those who don’t want everyone to vote.
Another thing that should be eliminated is the Electoral College. It’s a remnant of slavery that was used to count each slave as 3/5ths of a person for counting votes to elect a President. No other elected office in the country allows a person who gets less votes get elected! If it wasn’t in the Constitution, it’d be unconstitutional because it violates the equal protection clause. Your vote carries more or less weight depending on where you live...talk about ridiculous! That’s why you never see a Presidential candidate campaign in Alabama or the most populous state, California. Instead they only appear in states like Florida, Ohio, etc. There shouldn’t be “battleground” states, only states with voters whose votes count the same as everyone else, not mattering where they live. Why should a Republican’s vote in New York be meaningless or a Democrat’s be the same in Alabama?
The Electoral College has no place in America and disenfranchises millions of Americans, It has no valid reason to exist today because slavery ended a long time ago. If you believe in democracy, and many of you don’t, you should rise up and have the stain of the Electoral College placed into the ash heap of history where it belongs.

[noslices1]

The post office does not/will not mail ballots to everyone. They will mail to registered voters only! If you are not registered to vote you will not receive a ballot. In Florida you have to request a ballot be sent to you

The post office doesn’t mail ANYTHING except, occasionally news about the postal service. Ballots are sent by A completely different government entity. The post office only DELIVERS what is sent to them to deliver.

[Mohawksin]

I have already heard from people I know that mail in ballots have been sent to dead people, that people that have moved out of state, or just moved towns. Those ballots are now sitting around waiting from someone to fill out and send in. Don't think that is very safe.

Although the proponents state that you must reqest your vote by mail ballot, the return envelop states that you can check the box to CONTINUE TO VOTE BY MAIL. (Caps for emphasis) So how long after death will that continue?

[kendi]

I don't think anyone in their right mind would be concerned with mail in voting except for timing issues, received on time. However, if anyone is proposing mass mailings to all residents that are not registered voters, then everyone should have a problem.

Right now you must request an absentee ballot. It is checked and confirmed that you are a registered voter and mailed to you where you requested. Then you must return the ballot within a certain time limit or your vote is not counted.

That's fine! But, having the post office mail by reduced price mass mailing to everyone is ridiculous! If you cannot take the time to register to vote by mail, car registration at any county office then you don't deserve to vote. Voting is an obligation of every citizen but not every one in the county is a citizen and they certainly do not have the right to vote.

So you are saying anyone with a different opinion is not in their right mind?

[KRM0614]

It’s not an obligation.

[DeanFL]

.
.
.
it's like this...

Universal Mail-in voting is like 'Cremation Society' doing a mail-out of all registered 'The Villages' addresses.

Absentee voting is like 'Cremation Society' ONLY mailing to those who request the information.

The 'Universal' recipients could already be dead and buried, moved to nursing homes, new owners, young & healthy with no reason to die, pass the mailing on to somebody else, you get the idea.

The 'Absentee' recipients asked for the mailing, are confirmed to be on the rolls, and a high % to take action.

It's Passive vs Active. comprende'???
.
.
.

[LG999]

Personally, I think if it’s too inconvenient for a person to show up in person, they are just not that interested & may not even know the issues or ppl running for office. Absentee voting is fine; its something you care enough to plan for. The pandemic is just a convenient excuse for fraud bcs we are able to protect ourselves adequately when we go out for all other errands and tasks large & small.

[Stormylc]

Mail in ballots begins with mail going to everyone on the “active voter” list. The problem is w the list. Judicial Watch completed a painstaking investigation in LA County and discovered more Registered Voters than their were voter age citizens.California was taken to court by Judicial Watch and they agreed to clean up their voter rolls by REMOVING 1.6 MILLION names of people Judicial showed were either deceased, or had moved from the state.Unfortunately, the courts gave California until January 2022 to clean the list. that means that 1.6 MILLION names that should not receive ballots will have ballots sent to them in the mail. Judicial is now completing investigations of voter rolls in 2 other states, where preliminary scans indicate hundreds of thousands of folks on lists are dead or have moved. In many states that claim mail in votes from mass mailings to registered voters are fine without problems, the problem is that independent investigations have not and will not be conducted. Judicial Watch haslimited funding and is a non-profit dependent on donations. I am a proud contributor to JW.

[Kilmacowen]

Once again, absentee and mail in both require a request. I received my request and mailed it back for authorization. Then I will be mailed a ballot. SAME as absentee.

[mtdjed]

Absentee ballots are available only until 10 days before election day. After that, you can't get them at all.



The original statement regarding not being able to get an absentee ballot after the 10 day reference is not correct. In Florida, you can get a ballot (in person) up to 1 day before election. That might be important to someone who has a need develop within that additional time period.

Voters should check their registered home states voting requirement because there may be considerable difference from Florida. Certainly, don't go by what we posters say.

[Byte1]

Almost ALL voting is technically illegal. The Constitution mandates that ONLY American citizens be allowed to vote in national elections. Kind of hard to have a legal election if you are not requiring a proof of citizenship. Are they supposed to take your word for it that you are a citizen? The honor systems? Don't tell me that they check your citizenship when you register, because I have NEVER had to prove my citizenship. They just asked me to check the box saying that I am a citizen.
In order to vote one should have to provide proof of citizenship in some form or another, PERIOD. If that supposedly "disenfranchises" some, too friggin' bad, get over it. There is no excuse today that anyone living in this great country cannot obtain some form of identification. Anyone telling you different is a liar. And this pandemic is no reason for some to think they can get away with manipulating or cheating in the voting of this election. If you have left you home for any reason in the last six months, then you can put on a mask and gloves and vote. In Florida as well as many other states, we have early voting. I have never had to stand in line more than a few minutes, if at all. There is plenty of safe space in the actual voting area, and always has been. The room is always large and folks are always asked to wait well back from one another when processing their ballots.

Forcing someone to vote is not an option. Some folks should not vote, period. They have no idea who is running for office or they do not even care. Mandating voting is not American. Many folks are so ignorant that they base their vote on race or gender, knowing nothing of important details like policies or record.

Mandate voter ID that requires verification by citizenship. Vote in person if you are able. Absentee voting is an option and should only be done by personal ballot request, not by mass mailing of ballots.

[DeanFL]

Once again, absentee and mail in both require a request. I received my request and mailed it back for authorization. Then I will be mailed a ballot. SAME as absentee..

NOPE - In MANY states, it's PASSIVE.

Nine states and the District of Columbia so far plan to hold universal mail-in elections – in which ballots are automatically mailed to all registered voters without needing to first request one. And with early mail-voting set to begin as early as September in some states, election experts say it's unlikely many more states would have time to make that switch.
Colorado, Hawaii, Oregon, Utah, Washington were the only universal vote-by-mail states before the pandemic. California, Nevada, Vermont and New Jersey have since signed on for the November election. In addition, Montana, North Dakota and Nebraska allow individual counties to decide whether to mail ballots to all registered voters.

In Florida - NOT UNIVERSAL. Voters must REQUEST vote-by-mail. I did and works for me. BUT - after I vote, I will bring the completed ballot to a county office (not sure which one for now) to MAKE SURE my vote counts - no mail for me...
.
Oh, I also firmly believe that NO VOTING should occur BEFORE applicable debates. It's only FAIR for ALL Parties. And the voters/constituents.
.
.

[mrf6969]

Yes, and possibly wait in line for hours to do so because there will not be enough workers to man the voting places. I have used mail-in voting for years and there was never a problem. Some states use only mail-in voting.
We have lived in The Villages for 15 years now. Never ever have we been in a long line to vote. If most would use early voting then it is super easy to get out and vote with no hassle. Get out of the house and vote. It will feel good.

[sallybowron]

Mail in voting will be a disaster. I see no reason why responsible people just can’t go vote. Wear a mask, social distance and sanitize. If you can go shop in Publix or any other store, than you can go vote.

Your reply mamamia shows me that you have a limited over vision of TV. Many people her can no longer go to Publix to shope. Someone shops for them. I finds your remark about "responsible people" going out to vote. Maybe it is time to get your head out of the "Bubble" in which you live and look around and see the numbers of elderly people who still live in TV but would never have been able to stand in line to vote.
I have recently been confined to a wheelchair, and I would never be able to stand in line to vote.

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

Absentee Ballots are controlled

Mass mailings of Mail in ballots are for stealing elections. There are no controls no safe guards, No chain of custody to ensure that ONLY every qualified voter gets only one vote

Voter nullification is when one honest vote

Is nullified by 5,000 fictitious random mail-in votes

Mass mailings of mail-in ballots are not a thing. They are going ONLY to registered voters. Fictitious random mail-in votes would be discounted. They are caught, and discounted, and whoever submits them is prosecuted. It's a waste of time, but it doesn't change the final result.

Look into actual historical precedence. What you suggest is a concern, is not a concern, because it has never happened, and mail-in voting has existed in one form or another since the Civil War.

[17362]

I don't think anyone in their right mind would be concerned with mail in voting except for timing issues, received on time. However, if anyone is proposing mass mailings to all residents that are not registered voters, then everyone should have a problem.

Right now you must request an absentee ballot. It is checked and confirmed that you are a registered voter and mailed to you where you requested. Then you must return the ballot within a certain time limit or your vote is not counted.

That's fine! But, having the post office mail by reduced price mass mailing to everyone is ridiculous! If you cannot take the time to register to vote by mail, car registration at any county office then you don't deserve to vote. Voting is an obligation of every citizen but not every one in the county is a citizen and they certainly do not have the right to vote.
Not every state does mail in like Florida.
I came from a state that mailed them without consent. And in fact, my father in law and mother in law died there last year. Guess what they got in the mail THIS year? Yup. Their ballots. This is why there is a problem. And that is only the beginning of THAT system in place.

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

Although the proponents state that you must reqest your vote by mail ballot, the return envelop states that you can check the box to CONTINUE TO VOTE BY MAIL. (Caps for emphasis) So how long after death will that continue?

For the next two elections.

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

You are wrong about universal mail in voting. For the 2020 primary in Clark.County, Nevada, they did universal mail in ballots and mailed ballots to everyone who was on their registered voter rolls. It turned out that 223,000 of those ballots they mailed were not able to be counted for one reason or another. Many of those people no longer lived there or had died. In California, if you apply for a drivers license, you are automatically registered to vote. Illegal aliens are allowed to get a driver’s license in CA. Many States have tried to “clean.up” their voter rolls, but invariably the Democrats have blocked the efforts in court, A primary in New York, this spring, had an incident where it took more than six weeks to declare a winner as ballots kept showing up and they just got so frustrated that they declared a winner without an accurate count.

In California, the mistake was discovered. The people who were unintentionally, automatically registered to vote, who weren't actually eligible to vote, were not allowed to actually vote. Most of those 1500 (less than .01% of the state population) who received that automatic registration but weren't supposed to, didn't even try to vote. California is in the process of fixing that.

Pennsylvania had the same problem, only worse, and they've since changed the system. If you are NOT a US Citizen, the system doesn't automatically register you to vote when you get your license. If you are, you get the registration.

[ficoguy]

Not on the scale of tens of millions has it ever been done.

[jebartle]

Are there any drop boxes for mail-in ballots in the villages, fl?

[NoMoSno]

Are there any drop boxes for mail-in ballots in the villages, fl?
All the polling locations have a drop box.

[big guy]

I have already heard from people I know that mail in ballots have been sent to dead people, that people that have moved out of state, or just moved towns. Those ballots are now sitting around waiting from someone to fill out and send in. Don't think that is very safe.


Not true. You have to request a ballot and information is obtained when you request the ballot.

[big guy]

No, mail in voting is not the same as absentee voting. Absentee voting is where one requests/REQUESTS a ballot and it is mailed specifically to them. Mail in voting is a scheme by one party to force voting and do not care whether or not it gets to the right person or not. The ballots are mailed to supposed registered voters (dead, alive or moved out of state, doesn't matter) and then whomever receives the ballot fills it in and mails it back. There are big problems with that idea and easily hosed up. I have moved around many times in my lifetime, and recently moved even here. My ballot does not get to me so I don't get to vote. It goes to someone else and they decide to fill it in and send it along, or it gets forwarded and doesn't get to me in time.

Where do you get your information? If you go to the Board of Elections and ask for an absentee ballot or tell them that you want to vote by mail, you are given the exact same ballot.

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

Not on the scale of tens of millions has it ever been done.

On the scale of tens of millions it has been possible, for many years. It is NOT likely that tens of millions will be mailing in their ballots. More than previously, yes. But most people who have access to the physical polls, who would have voted in person without COVID-19 as a threat, will still show up to vote in person.

This was proven true in the primaries already. People are getting into a tizzy over something that just isn't a "thing."

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

Are there any drop boxes for mail-in ballots in the villages, fl?

Every single postal station in the Villages has an outgoing mail receptacle.

[wamley]

Mass mailing is the problem, not just to those that requested a ballot but all thatall those that were in the 2010 census. The problem is people move, die, etc and that persons ballot would be mailed to their last known address. Literally milloins of votes.
Good luck opening, verifying and counting them. In NY they had that problem in one Electin District it took 6 weeks.

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

Mass mailing is the problem, not just to those that requested a ballot but all thatall those that were in the 2010 census. The problem is people move, die, etc and that persons ballot would be mailed to their last known address. Literally milloins of votes.
Good luck opening, verifying and counting them. In NY they had that problem in one Electin District it took 6 weeks.

That has zilch, nada, nothing to do with election ballots. Even in states that already send ballot requests to all registered voters - it's going to - [drumroll] registered voters.

Sets and subsets time again:

The set of "all people included in the census" does not equal "all registered voters."

The set of "all registered voters" only includes a small part of "all people included in the census."

"All registered voters" is only a subset of "all people included in the census."

[Kilmacowen]

[QUOTE=17362;1819341]Not every state does mail in like Florida.
I came from a state that mailed them without consent. And in fact, my father in law and mother in law died there last year. Guess what they got in the mail THIS year? Yup. Their ballots. This is why there is a problem. And that is only the beginning


And just what state was that?

[Marvic 1]

YI have recently been confined to a wheelchair, and I would never be able to stand in line to vote.

:ohdear: Another excuse, you can always sit in line on your wheelchair and vote, or request a absentee ballot...

[Kilmacowen]

Not every state does mail in like Florida.
I came from a state that mailed them without consent. And in fact, my father in law and mother in law died there last year. Guess what they got in the mail THIS year? Yup. Their ballots. This is why there is a problem. And that is only the beginning of THAT system in place.

And just what state was that?

[jimjamuser]

Mass mailings of mail-in ballots are not a thing. They are going ONLY to registered voters. Fictitious random mail-in votes would be discounted. They are caught, and discounted, and whoever submits them is prosecuted. It's a waste of time, but it doesn't change the final result.

Look into actual historical precedence. What you suggest is a concern, is not a concern, because it has never happened, and mail-in voting has existed in one form or another since the Civil War.
Prosecution on voter fraud charges carries a max penalty of 1 year in prison. Seems to be enough deterence for US citizens. Now, Russian HACKERS are a different situation. They are clear to taxi!

[mtdjed]

Mass mailings of mail-in ballots are not a thing. They are going ONLY to registered voters. Fictitious random mail-in votes would be discounted. They are caught, and discounted, and whoever submits them is prosecuted. It's a waste of time, but it doesn't change the final result.

.

This is another statement that is not likely true. It ignores the fact that registered voters change addresses and the voter data base is not kept up to date. If a piece of mail is sent to a person not residing at an address, then the registered voter does not get the ballot. Perhaps the writer meant "sent Only" as opposed to "going ONLY". There is not likely anyone on this forum who can legitimately make the claim "going ONLY".

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

Prosecution on voter fraud charges carries a max penalty of 1 year in prison. Seems to be enough deterence for US citizens. Now, Russian HACKERS are a different situation. They are clear to taxi!

Except they don't need no stankin mail-in ballot. All they need are electronic voting machines at the polls.

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

This is another statement that is not likely true. It ignores the fact that registered voters change addresses and the voter data base is not kept up to date. If a piece of mail is sent to a person not residing at an address, then the registered voter does not get the ballot. Perhaps the writer meant "sent Only" as opposed to "going ONLY". There is not likely anyone on this forum who can legitimately make the claim "going ONLY".

Semantics. Yes they are SENT only to registered voters at their last known address.

This is not a thing. You can nitpick every single word, individually, in every single post, in every thread on this subject. It won't change the fact: mail-in ballot fraud is not a thing.

It is propaganda spread by those who know that the more people who actually vote, the less likely their person is to win. So they are creating a brouhaha to suppress votes.

That is all. Like it or not, believe it or not, that is what's going on. Not actual mail-in ballot fraud on ANY significant level, at all.

[bpascani]

so did I, at Colony Cottage today

[Carlsondm]

I worked the 2016 polls in Michigan. Most states are computerized and keep records of when and how you vote. A double vote was impossible. The second vote would not count. We are not dummies. Btw, people were pushed in with wheel chairs and on mobile beds in the last 3 hours. A lot of sick people came in. I am TB positive (latent) as a result.

Given the contagion of the corona virus, and the abundance of “symptomless carriers”, I would suggest non-contact voting this year. Vote by mail is one option. If you have problems with that, suggest another non-contact option to the leaders. Let’s solve problems, not complain about them.

If you choose to show up At the polls in person, we will assume you are positive and treat you as instructed. (I work in Florida now.)

[jimjamuser]

Except they don't need no stankin mail-in ballot. All they need are electronic voting machines at the polls.
Yes and they can hit any totals sent to a summary central area. Anywhere votes are digital, they are vulnerable. They can be "flipped". And the mail-in ballots are a paper trail. So we must preserve and count them, no matter how long it takes.

[tedquick]

I don't think anyone in their right mind would be concerned with mail in voting except for timing issues, received on time. However, if anyone is proposing mass mailings to all residents that are not registered voters, then everyone should have a problem.

Right now you must request an absentee ballot. It is checked and confirmed that you are a registered voter and mailed to you where you requested. Then you must return the ballot within a certain time limit or your vote is not counted.

That's fine! But, having the post office mail by reduced price mass mailing to everyone is ridiculous! If you cannot take the time to register to vote by mail, car registration at any county office then you don't deserve to vote. Voting is an obligation of every citizen but not every one in the county is a citizen and they certainly do not have the right to vote.

Everything you said is dead nuts on! Nicely done.

ted

[MandoMan]

I don't think anyone in their right mind would be concerned with mail in voting except for timing issues, received on time. However, if anyone is proposing mass mailings to all residents that are not registered voters, then everyone should have a problem.

Right now you must request an absentee ballot. It is checked and confirmed that you are a registered voter and mailed to you where you requested. Then you must return the ballot within a certain time limit or your vote is not counted.

That's fine! But, having the post office mail by reduced price mass mailing to everyone is ridiculous! If you cannot take the time to register to vote by mail, car registration at any county office then you don't deserve to vote. Voting is an obligation of every citizen but not every one in the county is a citizen and they certainly do not have the right to vote.

Useful article by the former Chair of the U.S. Postal Regulatory Commission. She says the main thing to be done is to process the ballots sent out as regular first class mail—the way it has historically been done—instead of as Non-Profit rate Mail, which usually takes 7-10 days to deliver. She says the Post Office is entirely capable of doing that. It just has to be told to.
Opinion | I Was a Postal Service Regulator for 18 Years. Don’t Panic. - The New York Times (https://www.nytimes.com/2020/08/18/opinion/usps-vote-by-mail.html?campaign_id=2&emc=edit_th_20200819&instance_id=21393&nl=todaysheadlines&regi_id=58623110&segment_id=36478&user_id=025ec4a03ccfc15efcd68d00b480f13b)

[Byte1]

Your reply mamamia shows me that you have a limited over vision of TV. Many people her can no longer go to Publix to shope. Someone shops for them. I finds your remark about "responsible people" going out to vote. Maybe it is time to get your head out of the "Bubble" in which you live and look around and see the numbers of elderly people who still live in TV but would never have been able to stand in line to vote.
I have recently been confined to a wheelchair, and I would never be able to stand in line to vote.

Not to be harsh but doesn't your wheelchair allow you to "sit" in line to vote? And won't you get head of the line privilege if you are handicapped? No one has said anything about limiting absentee voting for those that cannot get to the polls. The problem is with mass mailings of ballots to an unverified list of voters.

[Byte1]

Yes and they can hit any totals sent to a summary central area. Anywhere votes are digital, they are vulnerable. They can be "flipped". And the mail-in ballots are a paper trail. So we must preserve and count them, no matter how long it takes.

I guess you did not know of the problem of some states that will not allow verification of mail in ballots. When there has been question about voter fraud, states have refused to allow investigators in to check and verify the ballots.
I have no problem with absentee voting, IF the ballot is certified/verified. Overseas, the absentee ballot has to be verified by a third party. At least, when it comes to the military. All voters must be American citizens by law, and the honor system as proof is not sufficient.

[Bay Kid]

Virginia decided this year to end voter id. Dumbest thing ever. A great opportunity to cheat.

[hipplepi]

I don't think anyone in their right mind would be concerned with mail in voting except for timing issues, received on time. However, if anyone is proposing mass mailings to all residents that are not registered voters, then everyone should have a problem.


Right now you must request an absentee ballot. It is checked and confirmed that you are a registered voter and mailed to you where you requested. Then you must

return the ballot within a certain time limit or your vote is not counted.

That's fine! But, having the post office mail by reduced price mass mailing to everyone is ridiculous! If you cannot take the time to register to vote by mail, car registration at any county office then you don't deserve to vote. Voting is an obligation of every citizen but not every one in the county is a citizen and they certainly do not have the right to vote.

on the outside under the bar code you will see Rep or Dem
also your bame and email plus your phone number
does not seem so confidential

[tvbound]

on the outside under the bar code you will see Rep or Dem
also your bame and email plus your phone number
does not seem so confidential
Since I have never heard of the envelope for a mail-in ballot identifying the voter's party or other personal information, in any state, I looked it up. Here's what I found.

Ballot envelope barcodes showing party affiliation were for primary only (https://www.apnews.com/afs:Content:9239671244)


"CLAIM: Vote-by-mail ballot envelopes have barcodes that reveal what party you are registered with.

AP’S ASSESSMENT: Missing context. Envelopes for mail-in ballots from the Aug. 18 primary in Palm Beach County, Florida, did identify whether the voter was a registered Republican or Democrat, but this will not be the case for envelopes used in the Nov. 3 general election.."

[Byte1]

Because at least in Florida, THERE IS NO UNSOLICITED BALLOTS.

It's not a thing, here.

No one is getting an actual ballot, unless they have actually requested one.

What is being unsolicited is a "request for ballot" form. Registered voters are getting them in the mail. You STILL can't vote by mail if you get one of these forms. You have to physically fill it out, and physically return that form to the Supervisor of Elections, and you have to wait for them to verify it and then mail you the physical ballot. And THEN you can fill that in and mail it in.

YOU have to ask THEM for the ballot. There are two things going on here:

Request for Ballot Form

and

Ballot.

The former is being sent to registered voters, unsolicited.
The latter MUST be requested from the voter, using that form.

Easier and safer to just vote in person during an early voting period. I don't wait in long lines and always vote early. Haven't waited in an election day line for decades.

[Byte1]

I know for fact that if the signatures don't match on the mail in ballot, the ballot is kicked out! Signature is checked same as if you go vote personally.

Nope, signatures are NOT checked for a match. Signatures are only checked to make sure the ballot is signed, period. Volunteers are not FBI trained signature experts.

[eyc234]

What will be the outcry from either party when ballots are found 10 days after the election and were not counted! If you thought the "hanging chad" was a catastrophe wait until ballots are not counted due to invalid signatures, not arriving in time and bundles found with postmarks after the close of polls.

This is not an issue of whether the USPS can process mail timely it is an issue of not all states being prepared for 100% mail in voting with all the twist and turns that could happen. How long would we have to wait for a resolution of our presidential election and would anyone trust the process now or in the future?

[Byte1]

I see nothing “ridiculous “ about making it easy to exercise your voting franchise. You make think someone should have to request something that is their right, but I don’t think you should have to make any extra effort to vote. Instead of making voting more difficult, what’s the problem with making voting as easy possible?
The “problem” is that there are many people, and ewe know who they are, that don’t believe everyone should be able to vote and try their best to make voting difficult. They talk about “voter fraud”, for example, when it doesn’t exist to even be a statistic. They make thousands and thousands of people, as seen in Georgia, vote at a single spot with impossibly long lines while more affluent White areas have plenty of voting sites that have no lines or minimum wait.
As Joseph Goebbels said, if you repeat a big lie long enough, people will start to believe it. We see that teaching being practiced today.
Everyone should be able to vote with the least effort possible. The only people against doing that are those who don’t want everyone to vote.
Another thing that should be eliminated is the Electoral College. It’s a remnant of slavery that was used to count each slave as 3/5ths of a person for counting votes to elect a President. No other elected office in the country allows a person who gets less votes get elected! If it wasn’t in the Constitution, it’d be unconstitutional because it violates the equal protection clause. Your vote carries more or less weight depending on where you live...talk about ridiculous! That’s why you never see a Presidential candidate campaign in Alabama or the most populous state, California. Instead they only appear in states like Florida, Ohio, etc. There shouldn’t be “battleground” states, only states with voters whose votes count the same as everyone else, not mattering where they live. Why should a Republican’s vote in New York be meaningless or a Democrat’s be the same in Alabama?
The Electoral College has no place in America and disenfranchises millions of Americans, It has no valid reason to exist today because slavery ended a long time ago. If you believe in democracy, and many of you don’t, you should rise up and have the stain of the Electoral College placed into the ash heap of history where it belongs.

The problem is that making something "easy" is not an option for something so serious. However, how could voting in person not be "easy?" After all, I have seen churches and other organizations actually transport or bus voters to the polls. Anyone that shops, or even walks a dog can vote in person. Absentee voting takes care of those that can't get out or are out of town. Forcing someone to vote is not American.
By the way, we are not a "democracy" we are a Republic. Electoral votes are necessary so that ALL states have an equal say in how our country is run, not just those states with the most bodies. I haven't seen anyone "disenfranchised" in close to a hundred years, so parroting talking points is a bit disingenuous.

[Byte1]

Verification of EACH mail in vote is a GREAT idea, this year. By the time all the votes are counted and verified those presently in office will get an extra year at least to continue their work. Now, politicians can count on three or five years per term instead of two and four years. Great idea!

[tvbound]

I question why so much emphasis and effort is being put toward stopping mail-in voting by American residents and almost no effort or public comments, toward stopping outside influence or meddling by other countries into our democratic process? It's almost as if_____.

[Aloha1]

I see nothing “ridiculous “ about making it easy to exercise your voting franchise. You make think someone should have to request something that is their right, but I don’t think you should have to make any extra effort to vote. Instead of making voting more difficult, what’s the problem with making voting as easy possible?
The “problem” is that there are many people, and ewe know who they are, that don’t believe everyone should be able to vote and try their best to make voting difficult. They talk about “voter fraud”, for example, when it doesn’t exist to even be a statistic. They make thousands and thousands of people, as seen in Georgia, vote at a single spot with impossibly long lines while more affluent White areas have plenty of voting sites that have no lines or minimum wait.
As Joseph Goebbels said, if you repeat a big lie long enough, people will start to believe it. We see that teaching being practiced today.
Everyone should be able to vote with the least effort possible. The only people against doing that are those who don’t want everyone to vote.
Another thing that should be eliminated is the Electoral College. It’s a remnant of slavery that was used to count each slave as 3/5ths of a person for counting votes to elect a President. No other elected office in the country allows a person who gets less votes get elected! If it wasn’t in the Constitution, it’d be unconstitutional because it violates the equal protection clause. Your vote carries more or less weight depending on where you live...talk about ridiculous! That’s why you never see a Presidential candidate campaign in Alabama or the most populous state, California. Instead they only appear in states like Florida, Ohio, etc. There shouldn’t be “battleground” states, only states with voters whose votes count the same as everyone else, not mattering where they live. Why should a Republican’s vote in New York be meaningless or a Democrat’s be the same in Alabama?
The Electoral College has no place in America and disenfranchises millions of Americans, It has no valid reason to exist today because slavery ended a long time ago. If you believe in democracy, and many of you don’t, you should rise up and have the stain of the Electoral College placed into the ash heap of history where it belongs.

So much here to comment on, but I'll leave you with this thought.Please go read some history on WHY we have the Electoral College, then come back and tell us WHY it should be eliminated in today's context. Have the small States gotten bigger?