Hmmm... New Jersey Early Voters May Retract Old Ballot, Vote Again

[WillyT]

<snip>

On January 31, a New Jersey Superior Court ruled that absentee voters who voted before that date may ask to have their first ballot withdrawn, and then they may vote again. This appears to be the first time any court has permitted early absentee voters to do this, anywhere in the nation.

The lawsuit was filed by the Ocean County Elections Department, and applies statewide. Voters who already voted who want to cast a new ballot must apply by February 4 (Monday). The rationale for the decision is that Rudy Giuliani and John Edwards dropped out somewhat unexpectedly on January 30, after approximately 25,000 New Jersey voters had voted absentee. Presumably many of these voted for one of the candidates who dropped out and would like to vote again.

<snip>

Link: http://www.ballot-access.org/2008/02/02/new-jersey-early-voters-may-retract-old-ballot-vote-again/

Wonder if this will start a trend. A bit late, but...

:shrug:

[Kittycat]

1. Very interesting. I'm surprised they're allowing it.

[MaineDem]

2. Maine allows it if a candidate drops out. n/t

[MonkeyFunk]

3. I don't like this decision

IF you choose to vote early, you know full well that candidates may drop out before the election. That's one of the reasons I'm not fond of early voting - or at least very early voting.

If you choose to take advantage of it, I don't think you should get a do-over when the situation changes.

[saracat]

4. Edwards should fight that if they do.He hasn't dropped out.he has

suspended his campaign.He can still get Delegates.They CAN"T remove him from the ballot without permission and his votes are his votes!

[my3boyz]

5. I wish California would

allow this too.

[saracat]

7. Why? You want to deprive us of our vote?

[THUNDER HANDS]

11. his suspension was just a technicality though

he can't say he's dropping out or else he loses his federal money - thus, his ability to pay people and not be saddled with debt which he himself would have to pay up.

[Maribelle]

6. Absentee voters, not Early voters

And under the judge's ruling they can only request a new ballot if they already voted for one of the candidates on their Absentee Ballot that is no longer in the race.

[lurky]

8. So how do they track down your old ballot

and remove your vote from the count? Sounds like an administrative nightmare.

[MaineDem]

9. Here they are still in envelopes until election day

They are easily pulled and a new one can be given.

[lurky]

12. OK, thanks!

:hi:

[TexasObserver]

10. Thanks for posting. That's big.

Who knows how it plays out?