with all the potential problems, why don't as many people who can vote absentee? /nt

[still_one]

[Lugnut]

1. There are specific rules about who can vote absentee in PA.

Absentee voting is not available to the general public as a rule.

[still_one]

2. In California anyone can request an absentee ballot. Why would they have special rules?

[Lugnut]

3. That's what I'd like to know.

PA requires absentee requests to provide a reason that's outlined in the valid reason list.

I arranged for my mother to vote absentee after she had a stroke that made it impossible for her to drive to the polls. She was residing in an assisted living facility at that time but she wanted to vote. I helped her fill out her ballot since she couldn't write and she was happy to register her choices.

My son is an over-the-road truck driver who never knows where he'll be on any given day. He always votes absentee because he can show a valid reason.

[muriel_volestrangler]

4. because you typically still need voter ID for an absentee ballot?

See eg http://epic.org/privacy/voting/Wisconsin-voting_by_absentee_ballot_pdf_46357.pdf