Domestic absentee voting predicament

October 27, 2004 5:25 PM

Domestic absentee voting predicament: So I sent away for an absentee ballot, from a county elections office 8 hours away. They goofed, mistakenly thought it was a registration to vote at the local polls -- and mailed me a sample ballot instead. Now it's too late to get an absentee ballot. Am I pwned, or is there some (federal?) backup form I can use? I live in California.
posted by inksyndicate to law & government (4 answers total)

I think you can get an emergency absentee ballot. Check this page at the CA League of Women Voters site and give them a call tomorrow for more information. They say this "During the 6 days before the election you may go to the office of your County Elections Official, apply for and vote an emergency absentee ballot at that office" Find your election official here.
posted by jessamyn at 5:41 PM on October 27, 2004

It might not necessarily be a goof- I think they mail out sample ballots regardless. I got one, and got my absentee ballot about 10 days later. It took a long time for my absentee ballot to arrive this time around, so it might still be on its way.

It wouldn't hurt to contact them to confirm it, however.
posted by ambrosia at 6:20 PM on October 27, 2004

Some info from a MoveOn PAC email:

If you're an eligible voter, you have the following rights:

-If your name is not on the official voter list but you believe you are eligible to vote in that precinct, even if an election official challenges your vote, you have the right to cast a "provisional ballot."
-If you're in line when the polls close, you should stay in line because you're entitled to vote.
-In many states, your employer must allow you time to vote at some point during the day. You can't be fired for being late due to long polling lines.
-You have the right to vote without being intimidated by anyone.
-For your rights in your own state, check out this website: http://www.ourvote.com/

If your eligibility to vote is questioned, ask if you can cast a regular ballot by providing additional ID or by going to another polling place. Only cast a provisional ballot if there's no alternative available.
posted by rushmc at 6:24 PM on October 27, 2004

Thanks.
posted by inksyndicate at 11:39 AM on October 28, 2004