Why would anyone whose state allows mail-in and early voting, not do it?

[JohnSJ]

Another reason I like voting early is if the unexpected happens and I cannot physically be there to vote in person.

[Island Blue]

1. Did you mean "whose state"?

[lizardkingjr]

4. If you're on mushrooms...

it makes plenty of sense.

[H2O Man]

47. Wait a minute ......

are you here?

[JohnSJ]

8. Yes, stupid autocorrect. I really need to turn it off . Thanks

[Island Blue]

12. Autocorrect definitely drinks too much sometimes, lol.

To answer your question. I have no idea why anyone would wait! I plan to vote next week as soon as early voting starts open North Carolina. I don’t want to take a chance!

[JohnSJ]

30. I am in California and mailed my vote in yesterday and received an acknowledgement that it already was received and

Last edited Fri Oct 11, 2024, 06:57 PM - Edit history (1)

counted.

In your situation the storms might make it more difficult, though I would hope they would have it remedied soon, and hope everyone there is ok

[Island Blue]

41. Thanks. I'm on the coast, so far away

from where Helene hit. I do hope that everyone in the western part of the state are able to vote.

[JohnSJ]

42. +++

[niyad]

2. ummm, guessing you meant "state"?

[mahatmakanejeeves]

3. I enjoy the ceremony of going to a polling place. NT

[Girard442]

6. My GF said that she'd go on E-day for the experience.

We're in NY state though. Probably not much drama there, although there is a hotly contested House race.

[JohnSJ]

63. If something happens where you cannot physically be there to vote on ED, voting

early avoids that.

[Mark.b2]

9. I'm the same. I'll go vote early...

But in-person.

I just don’t trust giving my ballot over to anyone except a poll worker at my precinct. If I’m able, I’m going in-person.

But, I’m glad vote-by-mail is available to those that are OK doing so or it’s their only option.

[bottomofthehill]

28. I am with you

I hate to say I no longer trust the mail, but, I no longer trust the mail. If they mail me the ballot and I can drop it in a drop box or directly at an early vote site, I would be fine but relying on the mail…..sadly not any more.

[Diamond_Dog]

57. I'm exactly the same, bottomofthehill.

[Mossfern]

18. Agree

I like the "feel" of actually voting in a booth.

Unfortunately, we don't have those voting machines where you pull the curtain and then
flip the little levers of your choice. Now it's these cardboard "stations", markers on ballots
that you feed into the counter.

I'm just an old fuddy duddy who likes tradition.

[RandomNumbers]

65. You are fortunate to have hand-marked paper ballots.

Less subject to data fraud. Can be recounted by hand if needed.

https://verifiedvoting.org/

Your polling place should offer an alternative marking system (probably a touch screen) that will print out your marked ballot. This is for people who have difficulty hand marking their ballot, but in my state at least, they have to allow anyone to use that machine if the request it. (Like a handicapped parking spot, I wouldn't use it unless I really needed it - but in this case it isn't illegal.)

[Poiuyt]

25. I do too

It's like a community event for me. I enjoy seeing my neighbors.

[soandso]

34. I do, too

[RidinWithHarris]

43. With early in-person voting you get the best of both worlds

This is new for me since moving to Ohio from NH a couple of years ago.

Another nice thing about the way they do early in-person voting here is that it's always done at the same place for everyone in the county: at the county election office. You don't have to worry about all the various scattered and sometimes shifting voting locations that are used on the final election day.

[jimfields33]

58. I do too.

It’s exciting to vote on Election Day. I wouldn’t feel the same sending in a ballot in the mail.

[Dennis Donovan]

5. NC? They have enough problems. I'm sure you could say your dog ate it, and leave your son out of it. n/t

[SheltieLover]

7. Maybe some regions have unreliable mail delivery?

I can attest to the mail in the Memphis post office sitting for sometimes up to a couple of weeks. For packages with tracking.

That's not counting all the mail that absolutely disappears from the Memphis post office, FedEx, and UPS in this region. (It is a huge problem that nobody seems willing to address and has been going on long before DeJoyless removed 5 high-speed mail sorting machines.)



Interestingly, in Shelby County (Memphis and surrounding area), if you get an absentee ballot, the ONLY way to return it legally is through the USPS.

Yeah, I'll be voting in person on election day.

[Quakerfriend]

13. Hi SheltieLover

That’s nuts about Shelby Co. !!

My DH always goes to the poles on Election Day- likes the experience.
(It literally takes 5 minutes in/out) at our location in PA.

I always vote by mail. - Mailed my ballot in on 9/24 via USPS & it was recorded by 9/30.

[SheltieLover]

15. My GS & I like the experience of going to polls on election day as well.

It's a 5-min in and out thing for us too.

Yes, the mail service here is...like everything else -- truly like a 3rd world country. You know you're in a depressed area when MS & Arkansas have lightening fast internet, far fewer power outages, and much better roads than TN.

Wouldn't it be wonderful if the Rs got kicked out of all offices in TN and nationally? Holding the vision...

I love that you were able to vote by mail, track the results, and that it arrived safely so quickly!

Nice to see you again, Quaker!

[Quakerfriend]

22. 😂. GO Gloria Johnson!!!! It would be so awesome to see her pull off a win! 💙

[SheltieLover]

24. I sure hope she does!!!

You know I'll be voting Blue all the way down the ticket!!!

blackburn refused to debate her, but lots of thugs are pulling that crap this election...

I detest ruskie loving blackburn!

Frankly, it's embarrassing to live somewhere that people are so ignorant as to have voted blackburn into the Senate by such an overwhelming majority.

Planning my escape...

[jimfields33]

59. It can be successful not debating. Arizona didn't have

debates last election and it worked out very well.

[WarGamer]

10. I'm in California... I've had my ballot for a few days.

I don't mail-in or use drop boxes.

For 40 years, I've marched into a polling place... whether it's a Library, Church or Community Center and waited in line... and either voted in person or dropped off my ballot in person.

It gives me the feeling that I have DONE something.

That I have skin in the game.

And I walk around with my "Just Voted" sticker all day

[ecstatic]

11. I'm going to hold back and wait until day 3 of early voting

I figure Days 1 & 2 will be crazy! Hopefully nobody else is thinking the same thing.

[Coexist]

14. PSA, if you don't mind! PLEASE vote on Day 1 or by Day 3 of early voting

Campaigns have GOTV priorities. Those who have a healthy voting record - P1
Occasional voters - P2
and so on

Until records are updated to say P1 people have voted, campaigns will focus their GOTV efforts on this first, most reliable tier.

The earlier those who are passionate Dems vote, efforts will be output to urge this. If you Vote early on Day 1, 2, or 3 - then the campaign can move on down the line and focus their limited last-minute resources on turning out less frequent voters.

If you can, PLEASE vote on Day 1, 2, or 3. The Obama campaign had so many identified supporters vote on Day 1 they were able to refocus their GOTV effort resources to push deeper into their bench depth and VIOLA! they kicked serious butt.

So pretty please, with sugar on it, Vote as early as you can!

[Emile]

16. We are going to our county courthouse next week

and cast our votes early.

[JustAnotherGen]

17. I'm committee

In my Borough. Voting scheduled for 5 PM. I get my number then we compare in my precinct to determine who is outstanding, who needs a ride, etc etc

[BlueInPhilly]

19. Greater Philly here

Never requested for a mail-in ballot. Will work from home and vote in person.

[orange jar]

20. This might sound dumb

but I think a lot of the, "I am tuned out but still vote every presidential election" types just aren't aware that early or mail-in voting is still a thing they can do. I think many view it as a pandemic-only thing, as strange as that may sound.

[Nanuke]

21. I like to go to our local precinct voting center in order to flirt with the handsome election judge, who is my husband.

[milestogo]

23. Now we're hearing that the Repukes plan to contest all mail-in ballots.

That's why.

[LisaL]

26. Well, my state has mail in and early voting, but I am going to vote on election day, because

that's the best option for me as far as I am concerned. Our early voting only allows one location per county, and I live in a large county. Last general election my county screwed up a lot of mail in ballots by sending some ballots to wrong precincts, so it was a mess.
So election day voting seems the most convenient way to vote for me. My vote will still count just like those who voted early or by mail.

[spooky3]

27. I'll do early voting but several reasons not to do mail/early

Mail

1) you don't trust DeJoy and the postal service to deliver your ballot or your vote
2) your state requires a witness or other hassle
3) you're afraid you may make a tiny mistake (e.g., leave off the date) and your vote won't be counted

In-Person

Voting on election day is within a mile of my house with short lines and free parking, but early voting requires a 10 minute drive and paid parking.

[kerry-is-my-prez]

32. Yep - this.

In one state they’re tossing out ballots “because the signatures don’t match.” A lot of funny things happened in Florida during Gore vs. Bush.

[Dulcinea]

29. I've voted early for years.

In 2020 I used an absentee ballot & a drop box, but other than that, I always vote early in person. Early voting in GA begins next week! My husband & I will vote early in person & our college daughters will vote absentee.

[kerry-is-my-prez]

31. I'm going to early vote. I'm afraid a mail-in ballot will be disqualified.

You do hear about these Repub states who toss out ballots because the signature doesn’t match, or some other excuse. I’m from Florida and have little trust in the Reps here.

[notemason]

51. Wise decision

Voted last by mail, witnessed and notarized, but after listening to Sen. Grahams advice to Georgia I became uncertain as to whether my vote was counted or not. Never again.

[Mz Pip]

33. I do mail in

Our ballots in CA tend to be really long with all the measures, propositions and local offices. It takes awhile and I like the relaxed environment of my dining room table.

[Maeve]

35. Some people take great pleasure voting on election day

It's a tradition they cherish, a practice that has power and just feels good. That's fine; it means I have a job two days most years.
Personally, I like in-person early voting for the chance to vote with Hubby, and the pleasure of joining other citizens in upholding democracy.

[llmart]

36. I always vote absentee.

I'm in Michigan where anyone can ask for an absentee ballot with no excuses required. This doesn't mean that you have to mail it in if you don't trust the mail. I live in a small township whose offices are about one mile from my house, so I drive there and hand it to the township clerk. Doesn't get more secure than that. I turned mine in on Wednesday.

I don't get all the people saying they don't trust the mail. You can always check to see if it was received or not.

[DeepWinter]

37. I simply

don't trust the mail. I've had too much delayed and lost mail over the years. And it has nothing to do with DeJoy, it's gone on for decades. I'll vote in person all day every day.

[LiberalFighter]

38. Beats me

I sent in my app last week Friday. Got it on Monday and it shows they received my ballot today.

I'm going thru Chemo and just didn't feel I could go vote in person this time.

They have in person voting the week before the election but couldn't be sure I could handle it.

[TommyT139]

39. Because my signature varies

From the years ago when I signed whatezver they are comparing it against. My arthritis comes and goes. I voted early in-person a few years back, and on the way out, asked them to check my ID. I was told it was good I did, because my ballot would likely have been rejected as not matching.

I would never have found out.

[Johonny]

40. Just did it.

Don't have to give a crap anymore. A nice feeling. It's over I voted.

[Retrograde]

44. These are all solved problems - if the states want to solve them

Don't trust the mails? Afraid the ballot will go missing? California tracks ballots from the time they're sent out to the time they're counted and voters can opt to get email notifications when key milestones are met.

Signatures vary? California updates the signatures on file with data from other agencies - notably the DMV - so they're looking at the most recent ones. In addition, election workers are trained in how to match signatures - the more experienced ones in at least my county get FBI training on what to look for, per our registrar's interview last cycle.

Need a witness or two? States can change that if they really want to encourage new forms of voting.

All the i's not dotted or t's not crossed? Election officials know who and where the voters are. Again from an interview with the county registrar, they can and do try to contact the voter to resolve problems (which is why California can take so long to certify results)

The West Coast states manage to run mail-in elections with millions of voters in big geographic areas, and much as I'd like to think otherwise, we're really not smarter than people in the rest of the country. If Westerners (ok, and the couple of states back east) can run smooth elections so can the rest of the country. It comes down to wanting fair and easy elections and making it easier for voters to cast their ballots for the people they want, not the people that the entities who control the states want.

Step one: start with the states' Secretaries of State, or whoever controls elections. Get Democrats in those seats!

Now to narrow down the seemingly identical city council candidates so I can send in my ballot this weekend

[JohnSJ]

48. Yup. I am in California. Got a notice when the ballot was received at post office, and the ne

when it was received and counted. Best in the country.

[Tribetime]

45. I don't trust the mail and there's only 1 polling location downtown for 1.25 million

Long lines and parking far away makes it less desirable for me. I did it in 2020 no more 4hrs total. With drive time to and from, trying to find a parking place(a mile away) standing outside in rain etc.

[DET]

46. Always Voted in Person

Right now, there are only three places for early voting in my county of a million people. The lines can be horrendous. If I vote on Election Day, it’s a ten minute drive and no wait to vote. Plus, I really like feeling a part of the process in the community. And, like others, I don’t trust mail in voting.

[scarletlib]

49. I did Vote by Mail in last election cycle. I liked it.

However, i live in Florida where DeSantis has established his own police force. I don’t trust him or his police. He/they will be looking to cancel as many Democratic mail in votes as possible. I will vote early and in person.

[Bluedawgbill]

50. I vote in person on Election Day

Call me old fashioned

[Jersey Devil]

54. I used to feel that way but

I have grown to really like early in person voting. That way, on election day, if I am sick or need to do something really important I don't have to worry about it. Also, it makes the lines shorter on election day and makes it less likely that people will leave long lines and not vote if they have other things they have to get done.

[spanone]

52. I enjoy going to vote on voting day.

[notroot]

53. I just like to vote in person on Election Day. It's an American civic ritual I have always enjoyed.

I encourage everyone else to vote early if they can and want to.

But, to me, Election Day is the most holy of secular holidays. I enjoy the ritual experience, tying me to my American ancestors who fought a bloody revolution to establish this right of citizens to choose our government, and the subsequent generations of my ancestors who fought to expand the franchise -- and full citizenship -- to a universal right to participate in our democracy.

(My ancestors came over in the colonial era -- the Mayflower on my mom's side. We've been here for 400 years.)

[Scrivener7]

55. Some like to, some don't. As long as they vote, why do you care how they vote?

Is it the issue of resource allocation in those last days of a campaign? If so, I can see the point, but I don't think it makes all that much of a difference.

[Conjuay]

56. We fill out the form on our kitchen table and then I drive

to the county's Election office. No postal delays, no RW 'observers'.

[lark]

60. Lots of people do. Some don't care and some just proscrastinate and some just like election day voting.

My daughter, who's 35, always voted on election day until 2020, she just liked the experience. She got busier and voting early made more sense so that;s how she now votes. The rest of the family always early voted or voted by mail and we continue to do so. I can vote next week or week after (not sure) and can't wait to do so. I will be looking up the info today and also seeing where I can early vote. They changed all our voting places last time, mfers. Guess my area is too purple/blue so they had to make it harder - boo!!

[JohnSJ]

62. Another reason to vote early is if something unexpected happens where you cannot be at the

polling place on Election Day, you don’t have to worry about that by voting early.

[elocs]

61. I will vote early, in person, at my City Hall which is also the home of the PD.

I've had too many negative experiences with the USPS to trust them with what I consider to be my most important ballot in my over 50 years of voting. Plus, if something happens to me or with me on the day I go to vote I have time for a do-over.

[Ping Tung]

64. I moved from California to Oregon in 1980. Then we moved to Wahington in 1993.

We've been voting by mail for about 25 years and have not suffered any significant injury doing so.

[Polybius]

66. I hate mail-in because it's possible that it can be lost (although very unlikely)

As for early voting, no. We never had it until recently. I like voting in-person on Election Day. I like to see how the turnout is looking.