270,000 Iowans have requested absentee ballots, dems lead 2-1

[WI_DEM]

Just read this on Daily Kos. 270,000 Iowans have requested absentee ballots and Democrats hold a 2-1 edge in those requests and an even bigger edge among those who have already returned their ballots!!

http://www.dailykos.com/

That is how Gore narrowly won Iowa in '00--absentee ballots. On election day, Bush won among those going to the polls but the Democratic party effort with absentee ballots made up the difference.

[DU9598]

1. Yes

I also read this morning that Democrats have registered a significant number of new voters as compared to Repubs. In fact, there are so many new Democrats now registered that 30.6% are Repub in Iowa and 30.2% are Demcrats. In 2000 (when Gore also won Iowa) Repubs had about a 5% lead in voter registrations. I would guess Kerry will win here by at least 5%.

[9119495]

2. Yes, we are working hard.

We physically drive to people' shouses to pick up ballots. It's great to help someone vote who could not get to a polling place. This, along with the 18-24 year olds will be the difference for Kerry in Iowa. Count 7EVs in the bank.

[WI_DEM]

3. I'm really happy about all of this because on CNN last night

there was a report on Bush going to Iowa and Minnesota and the smart ass commentator said, "while both states went to Gore in 2000 there is a good chance Bush will win both this year." I wanted to kick in the TV screen!!

[asjr]

4. That is one reason I stopped watching CNN. I can't afford to

biy a replacement TV. But they are indeed the most irritating station out there. At least with Fox you know exactly what you are getting.
I think CNN has surpassed them as the No. 1 Whore Network.

[9119495]

6. Yeah, I saw that and thought it was off

Sure, reps are in motion too. They are being told exactly whom to vote for in church. But, Gore won Iowa with a decent sized Nader vote. The Nader people are not near as big this year--as they have woken up so I don't see how Bush is going to do it.

Gore + Nader + new voters must mean vitory for Kerry.

[petersjo]

5. Two absentee ballots from our house...

have already been sent in. One of us--my hubbie--is a newly registered Democrat and new voter! Will be watching the Iowa returns from an RV in Apache Junction, AZ, on election night. Hope to help at the polls in AZ since I won't be home to help. Let's do it, Iowans!

[9119495]

7. Yep, I voted too. n/t

[liberal N proud]

8. My parents in Iowa are voting absetee this year, First time ever

I talked to them last night and they finaly confirmed it. I had suggested to them weeks ago.
My mother is 84 on Nov 3. and should not be out if the weather is bad, so my dad said, if she is doing it he might as well.
They were unsure about it, felt like something was missing, like that visit to the voting booth.
But they both realize how important it is to get that vote counted.

[Doctor_J]

9. ? on this point....

not that your mom is dying or anything, but i have a question about absentee ballots in general.

what happens if someone mails in an absentee ballot, and the grim reaper comes a-callin' before 11/2?

[liberal N proud]

12. The vote is counted.

[ISUGRADIA]

13. No, under Iowa law it is not supposed to count

in other states it may be different, but under the Iowa Code if a voter dies before electtion day, the ballot is not counted. The auditor's office has to find this out though.

[Fluffdaddy]

10. I like to thank you guys for all your hard work in the BIG O

[Cats Against Frist]

11. I want to re-voice my concerns, here

I am from Iowa -- Iowa City, and I spent the day doing a drive-around survey of the suburban neighborhoods, and to my delight, I found that Kerry/Edwards signs outnumbered Smirky/Snarly signs by about 6:1 -- and this was in the residential areas -- not even the student areas.

However, I was approached by someone who registered me. I just moved here, last year from Washington State, and the only places I've voted, until now, were Illinois and Washington, in neither of which I voted absentee.

When the registration person filled out my form, I said, "well, I really want to go to the polls, because I wanted to take my son (he's 3), because my parents were always enthusiastic about voting -- they always voted in EVERY election possible -- and I wanted to start a tradition. I said, "So, OK -- I want to go to the polls, so what do I do when I get my ballot in the mail." She said, "you don't have to do anything, you just have to go to the polls."

AU CONTRAIRE MA REGISTERERE -- you HAVE to take the absentee ballot with you to the polls. If you lose it, or something goes wrong, you can only cast a provisional ballot. Also, if you've already written on it, and bring it into the voting place, they won't take it. You'll have to cast a provisional ballot.

At first, I was super paranoid, because I thought maybe those that lost or voted on it wouldn't be able to vote at all, but the county auditor told me that provisional ballots could be cast in those instances. Still, I'd rather have a real ballot counted.

Maybe it's just me, but I think there is room for some screw ups with this, especially in a state like IOWA, where there will be NOTHING going on at the polls. People who say they want to go to the voting booth should not be pushed to get an absentee ballot. The person could just register them, and put them down on a list for a reminder postcard or something. I know that the register-ers wanted the names so they could divert resources where they're most needed, but it is my raison d'etre to vote Smirky the Fake Cowboy out of office, and I may have thrown my ballot away, not knowing I had to bring it.

I've already reported this -- that the person told me "I'd have to do nothing -- just show up at the polls." I hope they got someone in there with the right information.

So people everywhere -- if you're voting absentee -- triple check the rules. If you want to go to the booth, but you registered absentee as part of a drive, check what the rules are.