[GoPacers]

Originally Posted by Marvic 1

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

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]

Originally Posted by davem4616

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]

Originally Posted by 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.

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]

Originally Posted by 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.

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]

Originally Posted by 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.

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]

Originally Posted by Kilmacowen

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

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]

Originally Posted by 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.

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.