Hazmat suit up! If you are brave and able...vote in person.

[Laura PourMeADrink]

It is critical that we are close or winning on election night.

[Ilsa]

1. That's what we're doing in Georgia. nt

[Laura PourMeADrink]

3. Me too in TX. I do think people should check their rules

Because read that if you ask for a mail in ( don't use) and then vote in person...it's a red flag. Not sure what state.

Since Dems got more mail-ins ballots, trump supposedly will be ahead on election night.

[LisaL]

6. Well my state counts absentee first.

So he is not going to be ahead on election night in my state.
And in TX many people really have no choice but to vote in person because TX doesn't allow no excuse absentee voting.
But exactly why I shouldn't vote absentee? Must I expose myself to infection for no good reason?

[themaguffin]

87. I'm going to vote early in GA in person.

[Ilsa]

90. Have you seen a printed hard copy of your vote?

It's a giant QR code and you can't tell if it's for the person you voted for.

[themaguffin]

92. what..??

[LisaL]

2. You should really worry more about proper respiratory protection.

Covid is mostly transmitted by air, not as much through touch. And I don't think a regular cotton mask is going to cut it.

[Laura PourMeADrink]

4. Huh? Thought hazmat suits were the full monty? Was just a

metaphor anyway.

[LisaL]

5. Not all hazmat suits include respiratory protections.

You have to buy mask separately.

[Laura PourMeADrink]

30. My bad :)

[Demsrule86]

39. You know what, I go to the grocery store with a mask. I can do my part to save the Republic

by wearing a mask. My opinion is that no one should vote absentee this year if they are physically able to vote. Trump is going for a fascist takeover. I don't care when votes are counted if Trump gets some court to rule they can't be counted than they won't be counted.

[consider_this]

53. Yeah, but if you already ordered an absentee ballot - bring it with you!

You have to surrender that to vote in person. I think this might be another trick to invalidate people's votes - imagine if you throw out the absentee and then are not allowed to vote - same effect, they have taken your vote away. BE SMART!

[Demsrule86]

54. We have not received our ballot...in Ohio they don't send it out until I think

one month before the election...

[consider_this]

59. If in OH, IMO, use the mail in and do it early - see my post #58 below!

[Demsrule86]

83. I am taking my ballot and voting in Person,

[consider_this]

86. You might get stuck with provisional ballot

someone else from OH here posted to say if you do that, they make you vote with a provisional ballot that gets counted much later after election.

My plan now is to chill out for a few days and get all the facts of what is really the best way to vote that cannot be messed with before i do anything in an urgent rush and make a mistake that effs my vote. Somehow, I think that is their master plan (to have us do the latter) and i am not going to fall victim to that.

[Laura PourMeADrink]

60. You made me think....last week trump encourage *guess his followers to

purposely vote by mail AND in person. Supposedly just to prove that what Dems say is true, that someone will catch it.

Let's just say some GOP dumbbells do that. Was this a deviant plan to "create" the situation? So he can say 100 people tried to vote twice in Michigan, for example. Foul. Doubt that there will be a tally of this group as to whether they are Dems or Reps.

[Demsrule86]

84. I was told I could turn in my ballot and vote early. If not, will put in drop box. But ohio

absentee ballots may not be counted on election night if the deadline for receiving them them is extended.

[LisaL]

98. If your ballot gets there before the election day, it will be among the first to be counted.

OH starts counting absentee before the election.

[LisaL]

66. In Oh if you requested absentee they won't let you vote in person on a regular ballot.

So once you request absentee you are committed to voting that way.

[Demsrule86]

85. I have not done it yet, but was told to bring ballot with me.

[LisaL]

95. Interesting.

I can't find the rules that you'd be allowed to vote early in person if you change your mind.
You can't change your mind and vote in person on election day, only provisional, if you requested absentee.
But it doesn't say anything about still being able to vote early if you change your mind. I wonder if that is up to each election board?

"What if I change my mind and decide I want to vote in person on Election Day after I send in an absentee ballot request?

Poll workers will see in your voter file that you’ve already requested an absentee ballot, even if you haven’t cast it. So they’ll make you vote provisionally, a process that will delay your vote from being counted as elections officials take extra time to verify you haven’t voted twice. And if you’ve already voted by mail and show up on the election day to vote again, you could be charged with voter fraud, so don’t do it."

https://www.cleveland.com/open/2020/09/have-questions-about-your-ohio-absentee-ballot-application-heres-what-you-need-to-know.html

[Demsrule86]

7. Voting early in Ohio.

[Maeve]

35. Me too

Hubby and I are going together--sort of a "date night" after all the time we've spent at home.

Election day, I'll be working the polls, helping others vote.

[Demsrule86]

55. I signed up too...I know and you know it is life threatening but I will suit up and do

my best to save the Republic from Trump and the Republicans.

[foo_fighter999]

8. Or, if your state uses electronic voting machines, vote with a paper ballot.

Absentee or mail-in. Paper ballots can't be hacked (which is why Trump wants to throw them out). Plus paper ballots will be crucial in the event of a recount. The "tally" on the electronic machines can't be trusted.

I do realize that since states vary as to when they tally the absentee and mail-in ballots, it may be a tough choice. We all want our votes counted on election day so Trump can't claim an early "win." That said, I think having a paper trail is more important than the timing of the vote count. After all, if you vote on election day on an electronic machine and it flips your vote, that's one more for Trump and one less for Biden. With a paper ballot, though your vote may be counted later, at least it will be counted.

Just my $.02. Everyone is entitled to use whatever manner of voting they feel comfortable with. The important thing is to VOTE.

[marble falls]

9. Me, too, in Texas.

[LisaL]

14. TX doesn't allow people to vote absentee unless they have an excuse.

Thankfully I ain't in TX no more.

[marble falls]

70. Its changed for Covid, they sent my ballot without any problem. Trumps suing ...

Governor Abbott over the use of absentee ballots. The absolute only thing Abbotts ever done I agree with.

If my MiL wasn't here, we'da moved to Oregon years ago.

[Laura PourMeADrink]

32. Can you vote at any poll site in your county? They switched to that in Mclennan TX.

I thought about driving around a bit to find the one with fewest people. Also maybe early before virus in the room builds up ?

[marble falls]

65. We have two polls in town and I've never waited in line behind more than 10 people ...

at the poll I'm assigned to. I'm going masked and gloved and I'm coming back home and showering.

[Laura PourMeADrink]

77. Lol. I've been practicing holding my breath. Hoping I can

Vote in one minute flat.

[marble falls]

78. I'm a left handed dyslexic. I don't dare try for the one minute mile!

[RockRaven]

10. Vote with a hand-marked paper ballot, if at all possible.

If that means remotely/absentee instead of in person then find out if you can deliver it yourself to a ballot box instead of using the mail. Or mail it very very early and track it as available.

Hand-marked paper ballots are better than electronic voting machines.

[Laura PourMeADrink]

33. Yes, guess we are between a rock and a hard place. 1) safest

way to hope your vote gets counted and 2) voting so your vote is tallied by election night.

Thought some states will count absentee/mail in as they come in, some later?

Trump will perpetuate the idea that anything that is reported after Nov 3 is bogus.

[marble falls]

79. Haven't seen a paper ballot in over twenty years.

[VarryOn]

11. absolutely....

If I voted by mail, I'd forever wonder if my ballot ever made it. Hell, I drive 2 hours every spring to hand deliver my football season ticket application to make sure its received. With states having weeks of early voting, we can all find time to get something this important done. No excuse.

[LisaL]

12. That's what the ballot tracking is for.

You can figure out if your ballot arrived and was accepted by using an online tracking tool.
You can also drop your ballot in a special drop box instead of mail box. If the drop box is far from your home you can drive for hours there. Does that count? Some states allow you to bring it to the clerks office or board of election personally.
If you really don't know the rules for absentee, and don't care to figure them out, then for sure you are better off voting in person.

[VarryOn]

16. Ballot tracking is a great idea...

as one who can always find worst case scenarios, I can imagine a case where the ballot ever arrives.

I once had an Amazon package get to my town, but never further.

Bottom line: vote in person unless there are extenuating circumstances.

[LisaL]

17. No, thank you.

Not during a pandemic. Not with maskless Trumpers being allowed to vote.

[VarryOn]

20. I'm thankful you and others...

with vulnerabilities and/or fears.

[Laura PourMeADrink]

36. Last I checked on TX rules do not mention drop offs but believe it or not

they did say you could scan an absentee ballot and email it. This sounded really iffy to me. Gave me visions of ballots in spam folders.

The statewide rules don't mention drop off but someone here called in Austin and was told they could drop off. Crazy.

[Karma13612]

41. ?? Wow!

[LisaL]

42. They probably meant absentee ballot application, not the ballot itself.

No way they are going to let you scan and email your actual ballot.

[Laura PourMeADrink]

51. You're right! Thanks

TX SOS:

"You may also fax the application if a fax machine is available in the early voting clerk’s office. You also have the option of submitting a scanned copy of the completed and signed application to the Early Voting Clerk via email"

[Demsrule86]

57. Even if your ballot is accepted...if Trump gets a court to throw out absentee ballots in say Ohio,

they will all be tossed out. This is a national emergency. Anyone who can should vote in person so Trump loses on election night.

[kentuck]

13. I have been debating whether I want to mail in ballot or vote in person this year.

I have been voting mail-in for several years with no problem.

But, it might be better if we can increase all the "in-person" voting and take awayhis one hope of winning. He thinks he might get the majority of "in-person" votes and he can then declare a victory and put the rest of the ballots in question.

It might be best to vote in-person.

[LisaL]

15. So we should listen to his nonsense and do what he says?

All righty then.
But he apparently also thinks he can lose the state and still get electors to select him. Or get the Supreme Court to select him. What then?

[kentuck]

18. He's going to continue to talk bullsh*t.

Per usual.

[LisaL]

19. And I am going to vote by mail.

I try not to listen to his nonsense.
And I really don't have a choice at this time. OH doesn't let one to change ones mind once the ballot is requested.

[consider_this]

58. You are lucky in OH!

Check out this chart - looks like your absentee ballot will be counted before election night - so you are safe (IMO) to vote that wAY. My state and many others do not begin counting until election night, which causes the 'how do i best vote now' dilemma.
https://www.ncsl.org/research/elections-and-campaigns/vopp-table-16-when-absentee-mail-ballot-processing-and-counting-can-begin.aspx

[LisaL]

63. We some good points with mail in voting.

Like you said, OH starts counting absentees before election. We are also allowed to correct the signature if board of elections decides it doesn't match.
That said, if election is very close, OH might not be able to tell who won on election day, because ballots are accepted up to 10 days after the election if they are postmarked before the election.
So they key is get your ballots back early.

[Laura PourMeADrink]

46. In other words he or devious aides are figuring out ever possible

angle to get him in there. I think all our people will end up doing what they think is best for them given their state.

That is the way we are. In a way that hurts us as an entire voting block/party. Let's just say our leaders said if you can vote absentee/mail in we encourage that. If this is crystal clear, then they could start a media campaign to inform everyone that there WILL not be a decision on Nov 3. It will take a week. Say Nov 10th IS the decision day. . IOW, start today countering Trump's propaganda that Nov 3 is the drop dead date.

[Laura PourMeADrink]

48. Btw, question....re:electors. Don't get that. He'll already have

Electors voting for him in every state anyway, right? Even VT. He is thinking he would be able to convince Dem electors to switch to him??

[foo_fighter999]

21. Does your state use electronic voting machines?

If so, I would recommend going the paper ballot route, just to provide a paper trail and ensure your vote isn't hacked.

But yeah, it's kind of a tough call: vote "in-person" to prevent Trump from declaring an early "win" or vote by mail-in/absentee.

FWIW, I plan to vote in-person via early voting tomorrow. But my state uses paper ballots so it's an easier decision for me. I would wait until election day so my vote would be included in the results that night but I don't want to take the chance in case something were to happen to me between now and then, or if I got really sick and couldn't make it to the polls that day. I want to make damn sure I get my vote in so I'm going in tomorrow. YMMV.

[LisaL]

22. The fear of Trump declaring early win based on in person vote is not justified for many states.

Most states start counting absentees before the election day. So those counts will be included in totals.
In fact they will be first one counted in many states, as long as you get your ballot in before the election day.
If that's what people are afraid of they should check the rules for their state.

[foo_fighter999]

23. My state doesn't start counting votes until election day.

But yeah, it varies by state so, like you said people should check the rules for their state.

[kentuck]

29. My state has a very secure mail-in system.

I have used it for several years and I am able to trace my ballot.

[LisaL]

47. OH does too.

NT

[Karma13612]

43. Yea, I can early vote starting

Late October in ny.
We have paper ballots that get scanned in.
Hopefully the earlies are counted to be included election night.

[Demsrule86]

61. That is my thinking. I also am working the polls so I can make sure everyone gets to vote...got

to save the Republic. My Dad went to Korea and Vietnam, My Mom was a Navy nurse in Korea, My brother and sister were Marines and I have a niece and a nephew in the military now...this is my war and my time to serve my country. Fascist Trump must go for the sake of our Republic.

[NBachers]

24. Voting in person right next door; my San Francisco neighborhood won't have no fucking trumpskis.

[Laura PourMeADrink]

49. "Trumpskis'. Love that!

[pecosbob]

25. I've worked retail every bloody day of this pandemic

They'd have to burn down all the freaking polling stations to keep me from voting in person.

[Laura PourMeADrink]

50. I know! Been dreaming about the voting machine for 4 yrs. nt

[Vivienne235729]

26. I have been voting by ballot for 20 years. I am going to continue to do so.

Only this year, I will walk my ballot down and do a quick turnaround. Not waiting a week or 2. I am filling it out that night and walking that baby into the recorder's office myself the next day. I checked online today, as a matter of fact, and all systems are a go.

[DFW]

27. Wish I could, but it's 5000 miles to my polling place

I have to vote absentee. I already know the outcome anyway. Allred gets re-elected to the House, Cornyn squeaks back into the Senate, and Biden loses Texas by a margin that will scare the Republicans, but not enough to warrant a recount.

But like David Ben Gurion said, he who does not believe in miracles is not a realist, so I sent my ballot from Germany yesterday.

[Crunchy Frog]

28. That's what we're doing in my family.

[GoCubsGo]

31. Well, I don't really have a choice but to do that.

I live in one of the 8 states that requires an excuse and all sorts of other hoops-jumping to vote absentee. I don't have the proper "excuse." So, I get to risk my life in a pandemic just to cast my ballot. Yippee. I really need to get the fuck out of this hellhole.

[Demsrule86]

34. I am voting early in Ohio...in person. I will wear a mask Fuck Trump.

[helpisontheway]

37. Already voted in Virginia yesterday. Nt

[Kaleva]

38. Voted in Michigan yesterday. Deposited my ballot in the local drop box.

[LisaL]

44. We have to wait until after October 6th to vote in OH.

NT

[Kaleva]

45. I voted as soon as I got the ballot from the post office!

Well, I came home first after picking up the mail, opened the ballot, voted, sealed and signed the return envelope and then drove down to the town hall and put the ballot in the drop box there.

[LisaL]

71. Makes sense.

Some people wait until the last minute with their absentees. This year, it's definitely not a good idea.

[Kaleva]

89. This election is not the time to wait till the last minute before sending the ballot back.

[Laura PourMeADrink]

52. Will they start counting them? Before 11/3?

[LisaL]

56. In OH, they start counting ballots before the election.

By that I mean they scan them, but don't release the results. Results will be released on election day for those ballots that arrived before the election.
So if your big concern to have ballots counted on or before election day, you have to get your absentee ballot in before the election day in OH.

[Demsrule86]

68. I heard they don't count the ballots...votes-until the day of the election and if they have extended

the voting period and are accepting absentee ballots later than election day, they may not count them on election day.

[LisaL]

73. I just read that Michigan democrats want to change the rules and allow ballots to be counted before

the election day.

[Demsrule86]

82. That is a good idea.

[consider_this]

62. See this chart to see how it works for your state.

https://www.ncsl.org/research/elections-and-campaigns/vopp-table-16-when-absentee-mail-ballot-processing-and-counting-can-begin.aspx

[Laura PourMeADrink]

91. This is a great chart! You should post in a separate thread!

[consider_this]

93. Thanks for your suggestion.

I just did that. You are right to suggest it - i was sick of posting it in various threads and it likely gets lost in the shuffle.

[Laura PourMeADrink]

96. I wish when orgs have great info in a table they would

Also post a pdf version.

Think it will boil down to just a handful of states that matter who might not be through counting. But, if they can't authenticate earlier....

So they found a bunch of trump ballots in the garbage in P A?

[consider_this]

97. I saw that however...

then i saw story retracted. no idea if that was true, a set up or pure BS. I guess time will tell.

[Laura PourMeADrink]

100. Really? Cool. CNN headline had FBI looking into it.

[consider_this]

102. Guess we'd better keep and eye out.

Very confusing what is real or not lately. We just have to be vigilant!

[Laura PourMeADrink]

103. Yet even for us here who are in the top quadrant of "Informed" its

Like a 24/7 job. Someone will mention one of his travesties and I find myself thinking, "oh ya, forgot all about that". Still wish MSNBC would scroll his crimes all day.

[consider_this]

104. this is exhausting and soul sucking! hang in friend! EOM

[Laura PourMeADrink]

105. It is. And preparing mentally so won't be as devasted when he steals it.

But like my sister said, "think of it this way, if he's in there again we will be 50% through with him"

[consider_this]

106. We will not allow it!!!

[Kaleva]

88. They just changed the law to allow the ballots to be processed the day before the election

They can't be counted till the day of the election.

[octoberlib]

40. I'm gonna put on my mask and go

vote!

[consider_this]

64. I wrote to Biden campaign yesterday afternoon for guidance

I asked if they will provide recommendation/strategy to voters on the preferred way to vote in light of this latest 'news'.

[LisaL]

67. I am sure strategy has to vary from state to state considering all the different rules.

NT

[consider_this]

72. Then they should alert voters.

I am so worried about people that have requested mail in and then somehow having their vote disqualified from voting in person or trashing their mail ballot and not being able to vote at all. People need to think carefully - no need to rush and make a stupid move, which is easy to do in this situation.

[LisaL]

74. Which is what would happen in OH if you requested absentee-you can't change your mind

and vote in person on a regular ballot, even if your bring your ballot into the polls.
They will let you vote provisional, but provisional ballots are not counted on election day. So once requested absentee in OH, you have to vote absentee.

[consider_this]

76. Biden campaign needs to get the word out

to voters in all states. we are a small little group on this site. Most voters are susceptible to doing the wrong thing if true info is not widely disseminated.

[MFGsunny]

69. Paper ballot IN PERSON on first day of early voting here in New Mexico. n/t

[consider_this]

75. Hopefully all usual ways fo voting are still valid

and that monster can STFU for terrifying voters (myself included). Let this chatter/'news' play out a few days to see what experts say is the actual possibility, then decide the best way to vote and we all vote in force!

[Laura PourMeADrink]

80. I find it curious when they say Reps are more enthused about voting

How could that be? Dems I know are in the "crawl over glass" mode to vote. Sure, his trumpskis' will vote in force. But what about the "normal" Republicans? Strikes me that they won't risk their life to vote.

But I guess that applies to anyone who is in the apolitical middle. Low turnout. Perhaps this will be the first time whoever has the most ardent fans will win.

[Roland99]

81. Early voting here in FL (that will be 3 vote...me, the Mrs and our older daughter)

Lines are non-existent typically at our early voting site

[lagomorph777]

94. Vote early. Drop off your ballot if possible, in person if you can be safe, by mail if you must

In-person does not confer any magical status to your vote in most states. I don't want to encourage people to take unnecessary risks, when there are other options in most places.

The main things are (1) DO IT. (2) DO IT EARLY.

[A HERETIC I AM]

99. That's my plan.

Last edited Thu Sep 24, 2020, 07:45 PM - Edit history (1)

I have a couple different style masks and I plan on arriving at my polling place around 5:30 AM with all of them handy.

I wear a mask almost all the time when I am in a place where others are present, so I am just not too worried about standing in line on election day. I just want to be there early so I can get it done and carry on with the rest of my life.


I'll be god damned if I am going to let only MAGAt's be the ones voting in NE Florida.

[USALiberal]

101. Nope, voting by mail! nt