Domestic absentee voting predicament
October 27, 2004 5:25 PM Subscribe
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.
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
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
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
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by jessamyn at 5:41 PM on October 27, 2004