Mail In Ballots and the Upcoming Election

[billisonboard]

Aug 26, 2020 12:44:21 GMT -5 happyhoix said:

Aug 26, 2020 9:55:43 GMT -5 billisonboard said:

I have yet to see a state that does not have a reasonable process for removing people from voting rolls. Granted if you haven't voted for a while or if you have moved - not updated your registration and then just show up, there might be a problem. Blaming "they" for that is one choice.

Would be interesting to see in my state which counties were most aggressively dumped.

I know for instance the state claimed a lot of minority area polling places did not meet the ADA requirements and were shut down. In my 90% white county we still have the same number of polling places we’ve always had, even the two with steps you have to climb to get into the building (one of the most frequently cited ADA noncompliance reasons for closing polling places in minority areas.

Would the same person who did that also decide not to voter rolls in more affluent areas because those kind of people probably move around less? Suspicious mind want to know.

There is a criteria established for removing a name. Most (all?) require an attempt to notify. There is a greater chance that a person who is still residing at their registered address will receive that notification and, if they are planning on voting again, responding.

I agree that the polling places issue needs constant attention. It is much more difficult to have consistent criteria.

[billisonboard]

ONE: good information at link.

TWO: So Cool technology! Okay youngsters, I know i am old. But the way this site works on my touch screen tablet amazes me.

Understanding mail-in voting in the US

[TheOtherMe]

My county is having difficulties finding polling places for Election Day.  Not only are they short of poll workers, but many of the physical buildings no longer want to host a polling location.

[thyme4change]

Sept 8, 2020 10:58:34 GMT -5 TheOtherMe said:

My county is having difficulties finding polling places for Election Day.  Not only are they short of poll workers, but many of the physical buildings no longer want to host a polling location.

That is why the NBA has stepped in and offered their arenas to cities. It is still a less than ideal solution as getting to the arena isn't always an easy thing to do. But better than no polling places.

[TheOtherMe]

This is rural county.  There is no organization like that to step in.

[Deleted]

Sept 8, 2020 10:58:34 GMT -5 TheOtherMe said:

My county is having difficulties finding polling places for Election Day.  Not only are they short of poll workers, but many of the physical buildings no longer want to host a polling location.

Here the polling places are often at schools which can be a nightmare traffic-wise.  They are using the Houston Texans stadium and parking lot, and the Rockets stadium for voting centers.  The Texans stadium will have drive-through voting which is awesome.

[TheOtherMe]

The schools haven't been used for voting for years.  

We are small and rural.  There are no arenas or stadiums that can be used.  Have been using city halls, senior centers, churches and a few retail locations.  Don't know which category is not wanting them back.

One of the problems logistically is that it's a relatively large county (for Iowa) area wise.  It's very hilly with lots of gravel roads.  It could be snowing on Election Day.  

Another reason for me to vote absentee by mail.  

[thyme4change]

Sept 8, 2020 16:12:33 GMT -5 TheOtherMe said:

The schools haven't been used for voting for years.  

We are small and rural.  There are no arenas or stadiums that can be used.  Have been using city halls, senior centers, churches and a few retail locations.  Don't know which category is not wanting them back.

One of the problems logistically is that it's a relatively large county (for Iowa) area wise.  It's very hilly with lots of gravel roads.  It could be snowing on Election Day.  

Another reason for me to vote absentee by mail.  

If that area is anything like my area, there should be plenty of empty retail. Can you use the defunct JC Penny's for a couple of days? Really, anywhere Spirit would swoop into could be appropriate.

But that sucks, and I really hope you get the facilities you need. Voting is so important.

I signed up to be a poll worker. Since I have never seen a poll worker less than 80 years old, I figure they might be short some hands this year. I told them I could work the day of the election, or days for early voting, or would help process the mail in votes, if that is where their need is. I will do anything to make voting work this year - it may be my last shot to save democracy. 😒

[TheOtherMe]

I don't know the requirements for being a polling site--beyond security.

I am a retired poll worker.  I was one of the younger poll workers and I am in my 60's.  

The biggest irritation was that I would sign up for classes for those with computer knowledge.  Everything is computerized.  There were always one or two people in the class that said "I've never used a computer before".  They had specific classes for those people, which were longer for a reason.

[thyme4change]

Sept 8, 2020 19:02:14 GMT -5 TheOtherMe said:

I don't know the requirements for being a polling site--beyond security.

I am a retired poll worker.  I was one of the younger poll workers and I am in my 60's.  

The biggest irritation was that I would sign up for classes for those with computer knowledge.  Everything is computerized.  There were always one or two people in the class that said "I've never used a computer before".  They had specific classes for those people, which were longer for a reason.

I'm going to be a rock star!!

Except I have to talk to people, and I am quite horid at that, but whatever, as long as I can help people vote, I have done what I need to do.

I told my husband that if we are a swing state, and voting goes badly here, I would never forgive myself. Even if we aren't swing for the President, we have a notable Senate race. I would hate it if the results were questionable because of polling problems and I didn't help.

[TheOtherMe]

The constant talking to people drives me crazy, too.  From 7 AM until at least 9 PM.  Anybody in line can still vote if they are in line at 9 PM.

I was told at the 2016 election, people didn't finish voting until after 10 PM and poll workers didn't leave until about midnight.  Since they have to arrive at 6 AM, that makes for one long day.

[teen persuasion]

Aug 26, 2020 9:38:53 GMT -5 happyhoix said:

Our state does things like remove polling places from minority neighborhoods so voters have to travel to vote. Urban areas have fewer polling places than rural areas so you have to stand in line for hours to vote. They also periodically voting lists so you might show up to vote and find you can’t.

I’d like to do something about it but our current governor is the guy who implemented all these measures in the first place.

Weird, I'd have said rural areas have fewer polling places, because of population density, which makes getting to a polling place more challenging.  I hate that you are assigned an official polling place, and can't use another more convenient one.

Our assigned polling place is probably 10 miles to the west of us, but we live only 3 miles away (other direction) from the village polling place.  Plus, I work in the village, so I'm going that way anyways.  Nope, need to plan a drive out of my route to vote during off hours, just to vote.  A few years back, our designated polling place was moved to outside of our county.  To get there, we had to pass thru a third county!  

NY just began allowing early voting last November, and I was excited to hear that you could vote at any polling place, not just "yours".  Yay, I can use the village!  Nope, there's special early polling places.  There was a total of ONE early polling place in my county, even further west from my home than my assigned polling place.  Phooey!  For this extraordinary election year, there are now 2 early polling places, one central in the county (still father for us), one in the city on the opposite side of the county from us (not not not going there).  But the bigger metro area county south of us? Thirty-seven special early voting polling places.  37! Yes their population is larger, but only 4 times larger, not 18 times larger.

[TheOtherMe]

I live in rural Iowa.  In my county, until last June, there have been polling places in each small town.  In the county seat, there used to be numerous polling places.  They have since combined in to 5 polling places and a resident of the city can go to any polling place to vote.

For the primary,  not enough poll workers could be found.  I know the polling place in my own town was not used.  There is one small town with a population of around 10,000.  If I remember correctly, that location and the 5 in the city were the only polling places open on election day.

The county saw it's highest participation of voters for a primary ever because of absentee ballots.  They expect the same thing to happen in November.

The legislature in June (when it met post pandemic) shortened the time frame for absentee ballots being sent out and returned.  Also shortened the time when the counties can start counting absentee ballots.

The county auditors have requested from the Secretary of State that they be allowed to count absentee ballots earlier so they can be finished on Election Day or early the next day.  I have a feeling it won't be granted.  

ETA:  Until June, I did not realize the absentee ballots were counted before the polls close.  They can not be turned in at the polls.  I had wondered when I checked the county auditor website on election night how the absentee ballots were always the first ones to show up.  

[billisonboard]

Fact-check: Trump White House promotes misleading expectations for election night results

Facts First: McEnany is completely wrong when she says "the system is supposed to" produce a clear winner on election night. That's a modern tradition in US politics, and it's what many expect when watching the results. But it's not required by law and it's not what the system is designed to do.

So how does it work?

Unlike other democracies, there is no national authority in the US that handles election results. That informational void is filled by news organizations, which report vote-counts from the states and project winners based on results, exit polling and mathematical forecasts. When one candidate is projected to win 270 electoral votes, they are anointed as the projected winner of the election.

Anoited by the Trump declared "enemy of the people" .link It will be interesting to see the Trump reaction if they anoint Biden.

[lynnerself]

William Barr flat out lies about mail in voting

""There's no more secret vote, there's no secret vote," Barr said. "Your name is associated with a particular ballot. The government and the people involved can find out and know how you voted. And it opens up the door to coercion."

www.cnn.com/2020/09/11/politics/barr-secret-vote-fact-check/index.html

The scary part is that he is the Attorney General and is either unbelievably uniformed  or more likely purposefully lying to supporting the Presidents narrative.

Also, he personally has used vote by mail.

[Tennesseer]

Sept 12, 2020 13:09:33 GMT -5 lynnerself said:

William Barr flat out lies about mail in voting

""There's no more secret vote, there's no secret vote," Barr said. "Your name is associated with a particular ballot. The government and the people involved can find out and know how you voted. And it opens up the door to coercion."

www.cnn.com/2020/09/11/politics/barr-secret-vote-fact-check/index.html

The scary part is that he is the Attorney General and is either unbelievably uniformed  or more likely purposefully lying to supporting the Presidents narrative.

Also, he personally has used vote by mail.

Barr does't seem concerned trump and family vote by mail and that people will know how they vote and it opens up the door to coercion.

[billisonboard]

Sept 12, 2020 13:09:33 GMT -5 lynnerself said:

William Barr flat out lies about mail in voting

""There's no more secret vote, there's no secret vote," Barr said. "Your name is associated with a particular ballot. The government and the people involved can find out and know how you voted. And it opens up the door to coercion."

www.cnn.com/2020/09/11/politics/barr-secret-vote-fact-check/index.html

The scary part is that he is the Attorney General and is either unbelievably uniformed  or more likely purposefully lying to supporting the Presidents narrative.

Also, he personally has used vote by mail.

Actually he isn't wrong. They could not follow procedures and match name to ballot. It is also possible to have in person ballots marked with an invisible ink that would allow them to be matched up with individual voters. Voting machines could be altered to pass on how individuals vote tied to facial recognition cameras. Etc. Etc. Etc. It would even be possible to establish ahead of time what numbers you want and then create a paper trail to back them up.

Any system can be corrupted.

[The Walk of the Penguin Mich]

Sept 8, 2020 13:56:58 GMT -5 TheOtherMe said:

This is rural county.  There is no organization like that to step in.

You don't have a VFW, a Legion, a K of C, etc. hall to provide these?

[TheOtherMe]

Sept 12, 2020 15:12:04 GMT -5 The Walk of the Penguin Mich said:

Sept 8, 2020 13:56:58 GMT -5 TheOtherMe said:

This is rural county.  There is no organization like that to step in.

You don't have a VFW, a Legion, a K of C, etc. hall to provide these?

This is a town of 2000 people.  If those kinds of places ever existed, they have long closed.  

The Legion place is my mom's hometown was not close to being ADA compliant which is why we chose to host dad's funeral luncheon elsewhere. 

The business buildings here are very old and not remodeled.  The only one I know of that has been remodeled since I have lived here is a building that had a fire that burned half of it down.

[Deleted]

A judge ruled yesterday that our County Clerk can mail an application for mail-in ballot to all registered voters regardless of age.  The ruling will probably be appealed.  The ruling was appealed today by Texas' attorney general.

 

[Deleted]

And, in an amazing first, we will have SEVEN 24-hour polling places across the county operating from October 13 through October 30 and on election day.  We even have drive-through voting at our NFL stadium!

[Deleted]

I "absentee" voted in CA for over a decade. Our poling place was miles away and the weather seemed to always be bad. I think most of the area voted by mail. No one ever cared except the postal people who had to lug all the ballots around. 

Here in OR, everyone votes by mail. 

Every time I hear someone in government cry out about how we should demand in-person voting for the election I wonder how they think some states would even pull that off?

There is no infrastructure to do so. There are no voting machines.

The same can be said for the military, college students living away from home, etc... 

The entire scenario is Trump understanding he isn't going to win the election and to give him a reason to call his cult into the streets and help him retain power. It's in his psychology and everything he does. It's why he's unfit for office.

[Tennesseer]

Watching the NBC evening news and a piece on mail-in ballots. The piece has been a concern of mine too.

The piece was about the signature of the voter on the mail-in ballot not matching the signature on file with state election officials. Thousands of people's mail-in ballots have been rejected because of the signature dispute.

I have thought of that too. I know my signature today doesn't match my signature on the document I signed when I first registered in the state many years ago.

I dropped the idea at least for this election of using a mail-in ballot. I will vote in person.

[TheOtherMe]

I believe when I registered to vote here, I did it online.  

As a poll worker, we checked the signature when the person signed in to the driver's license signature because we can register to vote online or when we are issued a driver's license.  That means the driver's license signature is the valid signature.

[lynnerself]

Here is the process in Oregon

If the signatures don't match, the person doing the initial inspection flags a supervisor. Election officials are even trained by forensic handwriting experts.

"We have fail-safes here in Oregon. If your signature doesn’t match, you’re gonna be contacted by your county election official and you’ll have at least 14 days to come in and correct that," Elections Director Steve Trout said.

Other states aren't as fortunate.

www.kgw.com/article/news/local/verify-what-happens-if-my-ballot-envelope-signature-doesnt-match/283-611433759

[TheOtherMe]

The GOP legislature here made a new law that prohibits the election office from contacting voters by phone, which they used to do.  They can send a letter, but I don't know the rules regarding that.

[Tennesseer]

Sept 13, 2020 17:48:19 GMT -5 TheOtherMe said:

The GOP legislature here made a new law that prohibits the election office from contacting voters by phone, which they used to do.  They can send a letter, but I don't know the rules regarding that.

All these new laws created by GOP legislatures are probably going to bite them in the ass during future elections.

[TheOtherMe]

True.  The legislature also took away the option of voting a straight ticket.  We now have to vote each race.  

Lots of people don't bother with down ballot races or local races.

People would come in, get their ballot and ask how do I vote straight ticket.  That option is gone.

[billisonboard]

The three words that can avert an election nightmare

The most important thing most voters need to know for this fall's election can be expressed in three words: Vote in person.

Well written opinion piece. Point made is that if you aren't at higher risk for the virus, vote in person to maximize the percentage of election night vote count. This is especially important in battleground states.

[jerseygirl]

Sept 14, 2020 8:40:10 GMT -5 billisonboard said:

The three words that can avert an election nightmare

The most important thing most voters need to know for this fall's election can be expressed in three words: Vote in person.

Well written opinion piece. Point made is that if you aren't at higher risk for the virus, vote in person to maximize the percentage of election night vote count. This is especially important in battleground states.

Unfortunately in NJ our governor decreed all registered voters will receive mail in ballots (not absentee ballots). Anyone who wants to vote in person can go but their vote will be provisional because it’s assumed they might have already voted by mail
Primaries in spring were all vote by mail for first time. Problems about 10% were invalidated, see link:
www.google.com/amp/s/www.njspotlight.com/2020/06/one-in-10-ballots-rejected-in-last-months-vote-by-mail-elections/amp/[
This is new information, not the mess in Paterson that was called fraud and Judge called for new election. Not a good sign for voting for NJ senator and President as well as local elections
Doing this because of Covid - won’t there be more exposure to more people who’ll be needed to sit together inside for long time opening and looking at ballots. Many more than if only requested absentee ballots
NJ now allowing indoor restaurants with limits on numbers, surely ballot sites could be dealt with in similar fashion
I’ve already complained to governor and today will complain to my county election board. This stinks!!