Why does the mailing envelope for the completed absentee ballot show my Party Registration?

[enough]

The OUTSIDE of the envelope in which you mail the completed Absentee Ballot back to the County Voter Services has a label with my name and party registration clearly indicated. This is a naive question, but it bothers me that anyone looking at the mailing envelope knows which party I am registered in.

The ballot MUST be returned in this envelope or it is not valid.

This seems to be an invitation vote-tampering at any point in the US mail or in the Voter Services office when it arrives, well before the absentee ballot is actually opened.

Am I paranoid? Is this standard procedure?

I am in Chester County, PA, where County government is firmly controlled by Republicans.

[cui bono]

1. I don't think you're paranoid. That seems highly suspicious to me.

I would take it to the polling place on election day if I were you. then maybe you won't need to use the envelope or can get a new envelope without a marking.

[Auggie]

2. Me too. How convenient.

[Warpy]

8. Yeah, it's fishy

I'd be using a Sharpie on that one.

[sinkingfeeling]

3. Makes it easier to toss ballots from Democrats.

[enough]

5. Exactly. That's why I'm wondering if this is standard in other districts.

[babylonsister]

4. Could be just to make the envelopes easier to sort, but

I don't know, and my trust is limited, too.

[madmom]

6. just checked mine, which I just got today by the way, and that area is

blank we have to fill it in ourselves.

[seafan]

7. Yes, in Florida as well (2004), don't know about '06. This is unacceptable. n/t