Cost to Mail an Election Ballot

[mtdjed]

For all of those concerned about the US Post Office timely delivery of Ballots, please make sure you use the proper postage to insure that your local government does not incur additional cost. To do that you might have to go to the Post Office to determine what the cost is. Make sure you wear your mask and maintain your social distance while you wait in line to mail your Ballot.

But see the following;

The U.S. Postal Service’s official policy is to deliver all absentee and mail-in ballots, regardless of whether they have proper postage, according to spokeswoman Sue Brennan. If there’s no stamp or not enough postage, the Postal Service charges the local board of elections instead.

Can you imagine the USPO had to bill the local government for insufficient mail from thousands of offices to Sumter County Election commission and countless others.

No wonder they need money. Pay your fair share.

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

For all of those concerned about the US Post Office timely delivery of Ballots, please make sure you use the proper postage to insure that your local government does not incur additional cost. To do that you might have to go to the Post Office to determine what the cost is. Make sure you wear your mask and maintain your social distance while you wait in line to mail your Ballot.

But see the following;

The U.S. Postal Service’s official policy is to deliver all absentee and mail-in ballots, regardless of whether they have proper postage, according to spokeswoman Sue Brennan. If there’s no stamp or not enough postage, the Postal Service charges the local board of elections instead.

Can you imagine the USPO had to bill the local government for insufficient mail from thousands of offices to Sumter County Election commission and countless others.

No wonder they need money. Pay your fair share.

According to Reuter's fact checking team Fact check: U.S. Postal Service will deliver mail ballots even with insufficient postage - Reuters (https://www.reuters.com/article/uk-factcheck-two-stamps-ballots/fact-check-us-postal-service-will-deliver-mail-ballots-even-with-insufficient-postage-idUSKCN2571X3)


“In cases where a ballot enters the mail-stream without the proper amount of postage, the Postal Service will collect postage from the appropriate Board of Elections,” it told Reuters via email.

The NCSL confirms this policy, stating that USPS “will deliver a ballot envelope even if it does not have sufficient postage” (see bit.ly/3fNMbzq ). The NCSL explains that the Postal Service will “typically” bill the local election office for postage, which could represent a “significant expense”.

[EdFNJ]

Just going to drop mine at the election board here in Sumter on Powell Rd. Drop off points are on Powell Rd or at any Rec center that has early voting Don't want to wait in line to "manually" vote and at this time don't have 100% faith in USPS and won't have to worry about postage. Mail from here usually goes all the way up to Orlando and back to be delivered locally.

MAIL IN BALLOTS can be dropped off at Early Voting Locations including:


Laurel Manor Recreation Center, 1985 Laurel Manor Drive, The Villages
Allamanda Recreation Center, 1515 Saint Charles Place, The Villages
Rohan Recreation Center, 850 Kristine Way, The Villages
Tierra Del Sol Recreation Center, 808 San Marino Drive, The Villages
Villages Sumter County Service Center, 7375 Powell Road, Room 102, Wildwood
Bushnell Elections Annex, 316 East Anderson Avenue, Bushnell


Link for above info: Vote By Mail Information (https://www.sumterelections.org/Ways-to-Vote/Vote-By-Mail-Information)

[tophcfa]

According to Reuter's fact checking team Fact check: U.S. Postal Service will deliver mail ballots even with insufficient postage - Reuters (https://www.reuters.com/article/uk-factcheck-two-stamps-ballots/fact-check-us-postal-service-will-deliver-mail-ballots-even-with-insufficient-postage-idUSKCN2571X3)

So you can mail in your ballot without proper postage no problem. Does that mean they will reimburse people for their gas and parking if they actually vote in person?

[Dana1963]

This is an invitation for CHEAP VILLAGERS to save $.55 cents. Actually there shouldn’t be a charge to mail in ballot for congressional or Presidential elections, I will gladly attach a $.55 stamp or $1.10 if necessary for postage.

[Mortal1]

The absentee ballot instructions state they will not accept ballots with not enough postage.

As to : "Can you imagine the USPO had to bill the local government for insufficient mail from thousands of offices to Sumter County Election commission and countless others." that's a statement designed to cause trouble.Also it's USPS.

[davem4616]

Our experience with primary voting in Lake County was that it actually felt much safer than going grocery shopping at Publix or W-D

We see no reason to not vote in person...and we'll take advantage of the early voting window...we'll go around mid afternoon when there's no crowds

[Jimjane]

We voted early at the polling location and no issues. Very
Few there and ran very efficient. We also brought our own pen and pencil.
Voting in person will not be an issue if you practice safe measures. If you feel you would prefer to vote my mail. Request an absentee ballot. Been done for years and works very well.

[Mrprez]

So you can mail in your ballot without proper postage no problem. Does that mean they will reimburse people for their gas and parking if they actually vote in person?

Yes, but you have to submit your application for reimbursement by mail. It’s a 100 page form and can’t be mailed first class.😂

[justjim]

This is an invitation for CHEAP VILLAGERS to save $.55 cents. Actually there shouldn’t be a charge to mail in ballot for congressional or Presidential elections, I will gladly attach a $.55 stamp or $1.10 if necessary for postage.

If we vote by mail that’s exactly what we will do. I think most will. :coolsmiley:

[mtdjed]

We voted early at the polling location and no issues. Very
Few there and ran very efficient. We also brought our own pen and pencil.
Voting in person will not be an issue if you practice safe measures. If you feel you would prefer to vote my mail. Request an absentee ballot. Been done for years and works very well.

Thanks for the input. Just for public knowledge, did they require a mask, and if so, did they offer one. I am not suggesting they should but would be interested.

Also, a lot of folks suggest that it would be hard to find workers due to COVID. Did that appear to be a problem?

Thanks

[MandoMan]

For all of those concerned about the US Post Office timely delivery of Ballots, please make sure you use the proper postage to insure that your local government does not incur additional cost. To do that you might have to go to the Post Office to determine what the cost is. Make sure you wear your mask and maintain your social distance while you wait in line to mail your Ballot.

But see the following;

The U.S. Postal Service’s official policy is to deliver all absentee and mail-in ballots, regardless of whether they have proper postage, according to spokeswoman Sue Brennan. If there’s no stamp or not enough postage, the Postal Service charges the local board of elections instead.

Can you imagine the USPO had to bill the local government for insufficient mail from thousands of offices to Sumter County Election commission and countless others.

No wonder they need money. Pay your fair share.

I voted by mail in the Pennsylvania Primary. The ballot package I received was oversized for a standard envelope, but not overweight, and as it was sent by the state, it didn’t come with a regular stamp.

What I returned was in a regular size envelope with a slightly smaller envelope and ballot inside that. It only needed one first class stamp. Have any of you voted by mail in Florida before and noted the postage needed?

[camaguey48]

For all of those concerned about the US Post Office timely delivery of Ballots, please make sure you use the proper postage to insure that your local government does not incur additional cost. To do that you might have to go to the Post Office to determine what the cost is. Make sure you wear your mask and maintain your social distance while you wait in line to mail your Ballot.

But see the following;

The U.S. Postal Service’s official policy is to deliver all absentee and mail-in ballots, regardless of whether they have proper postage, according to spokeswoman Sue Brennan. If there’s no stamp or not enough postage, the Postal Service charges the local board of elections instead.

Can you imagine the USPO had to bill the local government for insufficient mail from thousands of offices to Sumter County Election commission and countless others.

No wonder they need money. Pay your fair share.
Show up in person. It will get you out of the house and a little exercise will do you good. So much potential for fraud. Make your vote count.

[randykw]

I believe masks are required inside all Rec Centers. At Saddlebrook, everyone had masks. No lines. Plenty of FRIENDLY staff. Showed our ID, signed, got ballot, filled out ballot, put ballot in machine, got 'I Voted' sticker, walked out. 5 mins or less. Bing. Bang. Boom.
If at all possible, vote in-person.

[lober652]

We voted on Election Day. No crowds; in fact we were the only people voting. Everyone wore masks. The stylus used to sign in was personal and thrown away. Felt safer than going grocery shopping. And, we knew our vote was counted because we put it in the machine.

[randykw]

I believe masks are required inside all Rec Centers. At Saddlebrook, everyone had masks. No lines. Plenty of FRIENDLY staff. Showed our ID, signed, got ballot, filled out ballot, put ballot in machine, got 'I Voted' sticker, walked out. 5 mins or less. Bing. Bang. Boom.
If at all possible, vote in-person.

[wilkinson]

In elections over 52 years I vote in person - the Covid risk with a mask and distancing is non-existent. Do your duty and vote in person.

[Bridget Staunton]

I understand the code on the back of the envelope tells anyone handling the envelope whether you’d republican or Democratic. For example it may say 4395d or 4385r. Don’t know if it’s true I don’t have an envelope

[Bay Kid]

What a mess this is going to be. The old mail in ballots were one thing, even though we were at the mercy of the people delivering, counting and losing them. This is going to be the biggest dog and pony show ever.

[Ken Lee]

Just vote in person.

[tonycirocco@me.com]

Thanks for the input. Just for public knowledge, did they require a mask, and if so, did they offer one. I am not suggesting they should but would be interested.

Also, a lot of folks suggest that it would be hard to find workers due to COVID. Did that appear to be a problem?

Thanks

Mask required . Very easy to VOTE!!!!

[JanetMM]

I understand the code on the back of the envelope tells anyone handling the envelope whether you’d republican or Democratic. For example it may say 4395d or 4385r. Don’t know if it’s true I don’t have an envelope

That is for Primary elections when one votes for only Dem candidates or Rep candidates.

And last ballot mailed was $.55.

But this coming election I will deliver personally or vote in person. You know, Just in case.

[4557Spahr]

We voted in Lake County with absent ballots. They came with postage affixed to the return envelope.

[Snorkl46]

For the election in November, I would expect a much larger crowd than for the primary where the candidates were already ordained.

[Astron]

Show up in person. It will get you out of the house and a little exercise will do you good. So much potential for fraud. Make your vote count.

Election fraud on a scale to effect the outcome of an election in the USA is an urban myth:
Will the 2020 election be a 'fraudulent mess'? The science says no. | Live Science (https://www.livescience.com/vote-by-mail-not-fraudulent-mess-science.html)

[HIgolfers]

We voted in Lake County with absent ballots. They came with postage affixed to the return envelope.

That was for the Primary. For the General Election you have to affix postage.

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

I understand the code on the back of the envelope tells anyone handling the envelope whether you’d republican or Democratic. For example it may say 4395d or 4385r. Don’t know if it’s true I don’t have an envelope

It is partly true, and fully out of context. Facts matter. Here's some:

Do Ballot Envelopes Reveal the Party of the Voter? (https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/ballot-envelopes-reveal-party/)

[OhioBuckeye]

For all of those concerned about the US Post Office timely delivery of Ballots, please make sure you use the proper postage to insure that your local government does not incur additional cost. To do that you might have to go to the Post Office to determine what the cost is. Make sure you wear your mask and maintain your social distance while you wait in line to mail your Ballot.

But see the following;

The U.S. Postal Service’s official policy is to deliver all absentee and mail-in ballots, regardless of whether they have proper postage, according to spokeswoman Sue Brennan. If there’s no stamp or not enough postage, the Postal Service charges the local board of elections instead.

Can you imagine the USPO had to bill the local government for insufficient mail from thousands of offices to Sumter County Election commission and countless others.

No wonder they need money. Pay your fair share.

I think the biggest fear is they’ll be to much under the table dealings going on! Because who pays for it would be worth it for some unnamed party! There’s more to it than just mailing them in, because going to your precinct always worked before!

[HIgolfers]

Since arrival in FL 3 years ago we always vote absentee. I like being able to look up candidates online before deciding who to vote for. I just wish they would just tell you how many stamps to put on the envelope, which at least in Lake COunty is an oversized envelope. After all everyone's ballot is the same. You either have to affix too much postage or else go to the PO. That piece is not very convenient.

[BarryD]

Does anyone know what the correct postage is? They will all be the same size and weight.

[Matzy]

Thank you for this information(s).

[Scorpyo]

This is an invitation for CHEAP VILLAGERS to save $.55 cents. Actually there shouldn’t be a charge to mail in ballot for congressional or Presidential elections, I will gladly attach a $.55 stamp or $1.10 if necessary for postage.

Me too. But what is the true cost of mailing your ballot? Imagine for a moment a bunch of cheapskates intentionally do not put enough postage or none at all and their ballot is rejected and returned without being counted. The actual cost could be the failure of your candidate to win. Pretty hefty price. If you have to mail it do as Dana suggested put more than enough postage on it. Preferably as many have suggested, vote in person and know your vote is going to be counted (well maybe not "know" but assume).

[nikonuser1]

Drop off at the early voting locations can only be done during the early voting period.

[jimjamuser]

In elections over 52 years I vote in person - the Covid risk with a mask and distancing is non-existent. Do your duty and vote in person.
Non-existent risk - NOT according to Medical Science!

[Byte1]

For all of those concerned about the US Post Office timely delivery of Ballots, please make sure you use the proper postage to insure that your local government does not incur additional cost. To do that you might have to go to the Post Office to determine what the cost is. Make sure you wear your mask and maintain your social distance while you wait in line to mail your Ballot.

............................................

So, wait in line and social distance while wearing a mask? And that is different than voting in person....how?

Voter ID should be mandatory and voting in person unless physically unable should be also. This virus seems to be an excuse for LAZINESS.

[sjeffries]

I read that the postage is $.62 if you include the privacy folder.

[Byte1]

Voting in person costs nothing.

[jklfairwin]

One of the biggest advantages of mail in ballots is the ability to study them and make careful, considered decisions not only on candidates but on initiative measures too. One even has time to consult trusted friends and others more knowledgeable on particular candidates and/ or issues.

[Dana1963]

I’d gladly pay more

[Ladygolfer93]

[QUOTE=EdFNJ;1821393]Just going to drop mine at the election board here in Sumter on Powell Rd. Drop off points are on Powell Rd or at any Rec center that has early voting Don't want to wait in line to "manually" vote and at this time don't have 100% faith in USPS and won't have to worry about postage. Mail from here usually goes all the way up to Orlando and back to be delivered locally.



So exactly where/how do you drop them off ? Do you take them to the reception desk person in the rec centers ? What about Powell Rd (?) Is there some kind of mailbox for ballots in front of the Library ? Do you go into the county building and then what ? Up the stairs ? In the lobby ? what ?

[parchiba49]

[QUOTE=EdFNJ;1821393]Just going to drop mine at the election board here in Sumter on Powell Rd. Drop off points are on Powell Rd or at any Rec center that has early voting Don't want to wait in line to "manually" vote and at this time don't have 100% faith in USPS and won't have to worry about postage. Mail from here usually goes all the way up to Orlando and back to be delivered locally.



So exactly where/how do you drop them off ? Do you take them to the reception desk person in the rec centers ? What about Powell Rd (?) Is there some kind of mailbox for ballots in front of the Library ? Do you go into the county building and then what ? Up the stairs ? In the lobby ? what ?

You drop it in the same room where the voting machines are during Early Voting. If there is no dedicated box you give it to the Clerk on duty.
In Lake County our Supervisor of Elections chose to prepay postage so we don't have to worry about postage if we decide to mail it. Getting a mail-in ballot will accomplish two things, one, if something should come up and you are suddenly unable to get to the polls you can then mail or drop off your ballot and two, the ballot for November will be 2 pages. You will be able to see and review not only the candidates up for election but also the 6 Amendments that will be presented this year. Yes, you could look up all that information on your County website but it's nice to have it in front of you to make informed decisions.

[sallybowron]

We see no reason to not vote in person...and we'll take advantage of the early voting window...we'll go around mid afternoon when there's no crowds[/QUOTE]:clap2:

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

I submitted a request for a mail-in ballot, so that I'd have one available when it comes time to consider voting (probably in the first half of October).

I haven't received it yet, and I haven't seen anything saying when they'll be sending them out to people who've requested it.

I'll probably end up just going to the polls and casting an early vote to avoid the lines on November 3.

I've also submitted my name for consideration in working at the polls this year. I think that'd be pretty awesome, to be an integral part of the process in addition to casting my vote.

[TimeForChange]

35,000,000 people a day go to Walmart but you cannot vote in person?

[NoMoSno]

Wonder if we'll see this happening...
POSTAL SERVICE ALREADY CAUGHT THROWING AWAY CAMPAIGN MAIL / MAIL DUMP - YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hxu3FfpGcNo&feature=youtu.be)

[Bay Kid]

This is a slippery sloop our country is on. How quickly life changes.

[davem4616]

This is a slippery sloop our country is on. How quickly life changes.


we're on a sailing ship that has a slippery deck???

[JoMar]

I see no reason to vote in person....well maybe the tootsie roll at the end could be an incentive. I have no guarantee that my ballot is counted either way, just need to have faith but the mail in ballot does provide an incentive to vote. Primaries had a 25% turnout in the State, maybe an alternative to in person could increase that number. I suspect when the figure out how to do online voting the percentage will also go up but that will take another generation or two for them to make it happen.

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

Voting in person costs nothing.

Time is money, as businesspeople tend to say. If the polls end up being especially busy this year, you could see yourself waiting in line outside to get INTO the polling place for a couple of hours.

I doubt that will happen in the Villages, there aren't enough people and there are plenty of polling places.

But in some communities outside the bubble, in other states especially, the polling places have been closed down, eliminated, forcing people who live in one district to vote in a different district. That means they have to GET from point A to point B, which might be many miles away. Some of these people might only be able to get there via public transport, which might not be available in their own community. Or they might have to take a bus to one location, then transfer to a different bus - thus resulting in an entire day spent just to exercise their right to vote.

Again, this is not a thing in the Villages. But just because you don't see it happening here, doesn't mean it's not happening at all. It happens more often than some people might want to believe it happens. But that's what it means to live in a "bubble." It means being oblivious to the world outside your own community. Also known as only seeing as far as the end of your nose.

[Topspinmo]

So, how they going to know if you mailed in vote and voted in person. Does you requested mail in vote cancel you’re walking vote?

[NoMoSno]

So, how they going to know if you mailed in vote and voted in person. Does you requested mail in vote cancel you’re walking vote?
Yes, It shows when they look you up if a mail-in was received.
My wife works the elections and was surprised how many tried to vote twice, then apologized saying "oh I forgot I mailed it in".
This is for Florida.
You can also go online and check if your ballot was recieved.
You can still request a mail-in, but decide later to vote in person or drop the mail-in off at a polling station.

[jimmemac]

Thanks for the input. Just for public knowledge, did they require a mask, and if so, did they offer one. I am not suggesting they should but would be interested.

Also, a lot of folks suggest that it would be hard to find workers due to COVID. Did that appear to be a problem?

Thanks

I am a poll worker here in Sumter Co, yes we offered masks to anyone who did not have one. We had plenty of workers. You can drop off your mail in ballot at any early voting location in the county.

[jimmemac]

So, how they going to know if you mailed in vote and voted in person. Does you requested mail in vote cancel you’re walking vote?

I work the polls, If you have been issued a mail in ballot we will know it, if you have mailed it in we will know it. If you were issued a mail in and did not use it and you vote at the polls and then try to mail it in, it will not count they will know that you have already voted. You can always check the status of a mailed in ballot by going to the election site on line, it will tell you when your vote was received.