Requesting an absentee ballot for November election? It will be a while before you get it

[SheltieLover]

https://www.localmemphis.com/mobile/article/news/politics/elections/shelby-county-absentee-ballots-november-elections/522-852d9254-ddd7-41ce-9174-dd27cea72f33

The state wants to make sure there are no mistakes, not to mention it takes a while to print millions of ballots.

Author: Mike Matthews
Published: 1:02 PM CDT August 21, 2020
Updated: 1:02 PM CDT August 21, 2020
MEMPHIS, Tenn. — The mail must get through!!!

At least some of it.

Shelby County Elections Administrator Linda Phillips says for the most part, the US Postal Service did a pretty good job handling all those absentee ballots for the August 6th election. Pretty good isn’t good enough.

300 ballots were received after the election. Some voters say they never received their absentee ballots in the first place.

More at link.

[Iliyah]

1. Question . . .

requesting a absentee ballot that is never rec'd or comes too late, would that negate that person from voting in person?

[LisaL]

2. Yes. Exact rules depend on the state. I requested an absentee ballot in OH.

If it doesn't show up, I would only be able to vote provisional.

[SheltieLover]

3. In the not so great state of TN, the vote would be provisional

Convenient, right?

And absolutely no allowance for voter, or anyone else, to hand deliver ballet to any location.

[frazzled]

4. Rules in Illinois

(Or at least in my jurisdiction) are that if you get a ballot but decide instead to vote in-person, you can surrender the ballot to an election official at the polling place, have it spoiled, and then receive a new ballot to vote in person.

If, however, you lost your ballot or didn't receive it, you'll have to vote a provisional ballot. It's not the end of the world, I guess, it's just that your provisional ballot will be last in line. They'd have to check to make sure you hadn't voted already before processing and counting it.

[subterranean]

5. Which state?

I know that in some states, even if you request and receive an absentee ballot, you are not required to use it. You can still go vote in person if you change your mind, or if your ballot never arrives. (Of course, you can't do both.)

But different states have different rules.

[Hoyt]

6. Some DUer posted a link to a compilation of when states would start sending out ballots,

just a few days ago.

Many -- including my rube state -- are supposed to send out ballots beginning September 19th. That seems plenty of time, especially since I will use county ballot boxes to return it.

But, there were a few states that won't begin mailing ballots requested until way into October. That seems a problem.

[LisaL]

7. OH doesn't start mailing absentees until Oct 6th.

Which normally would be plenty of time. But of course if the mail is slow, it might not be enough time this election.

[Hoyt]

8. Sounds like Ohioans are going to have to use drop boxes or vote in-person.

But, I bet the ballots -- if mailed on the 6th -- get to people in a few days. Hope they fill it out quickly and return it.