Friend forwarded, how to go around voting BY MAIL...

[Eliot Rosewater]

Good advice for people who feel unsafe about voting in person but now fear the USPS will be unable to deliver a “mail-in” ballot in a timely fashion.

There is a way around it:

1. Request a mail-in ballot.
2. After you've filled it out, do not mail it.
3. Google your supervisor of elections to see where you can drop off your mail-in ballot. It’s usually NOT THE POLLING PLACE. All states allow this!

Here is what you're accomplishing by doing this:
1. You're not relying on the USPS to get your ballot in on time, so no matter what, your ballot gets in on time.
2. You don't have to worry about standing in long lines and risking infection. You're just stopping by to drop it off.
3. You still voted! Hooray!
Also, when you drop it off find out how to track it online to make sure it is verified. California, Oregon, Washington Colorado have systems that can track your ballot just like tracking a package from Amazon.

and another person added this

Also, our experience is that if you walk it in to the polling place on election day you don't have to wait in line. You can just walk it in. Not sure if that's everywhere, and don't know if things will change with Covid, but we've done that in WA and CA for the last 20 years.

[cilla4progress]

1. Yes, I'm in Washington.

We've had mail-in ballots for many years. I usually mail them back. Used to be you had to add the stamp; no longer. They now come pre-stamped!

I will be dropping them off to a drop-box in any case. That's what I did in the primary.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

2. My husband and I will be doing this!

Thanks for the thorough advice!

[LisaL]

3. One flaw in that plan is that your ballot still has to arrive to you.

Also, not true that all states allow this.

[Runningdawg]

9. Yes and this is my current quandary. I vote at the largest minority polling location in my red city.

I hold out very little hope it will not be closed. I would like to vote as suggested in the OP.
If I request a ballot and never receive it, report it as never received, then show up at the polls on election day... will I be turned away because I am on a list as having already received a ballot?
Are all ballots dropped off at the Election Board counted election day, or do they end up more as provisional ballots and aren't even opened until someone contests the results?
Also, being newly physically limited (and ashamed I don't already know the answer) are there provisions for the handicapped? Or do they wait in line for 8 hours in the sun/rain/snow without a chair or bathroom along with everyone else?
I've never stood in a long line to vote and the building I usually vote in is large enough (before covoid) for most to wait inside, where its cool/warm/dry and some chairs are available.
During this year's primaries I attempted to vote early at the election board. I couldn't do it. By the time the line started forming hours before they opened, the heat was already too extreme for me. I ended up voting at my usual place, with minimal wait.

I want to be ready for ANY contingency. Please, help me plan more efficiently.

[napi21]

4. I have a question. If you get a ballot via the mail but opt to hand deliver it, could some evil

trumper claim it's no good because it doesn't have a postmark on it? I realize this might be silly, but I'm trying to think of anything & everything those AH's could try to steal the election.

[LisaL]

5. Look up the rules of your state.

Your board of election should have rules whether you can hand deliver your ballot (and where) or not.

[frazzled]

6. There should be a few more pieces of advice

1. Request your ballot early. In most places that is right now. If you request later, you may not get a ballot in time.
2. Check your local election authority for rules on what to do if you do not receive your ballot. Can you vote in person? Or only provisionally.
3. Know the dates for mailing (postmarking and/or receipt) if your state does not have drop off.
Also know the dates for early in-person voting, which is also a good alternative.
4. Start studying all the races that will be on the ballot as soon as possible. Remember, this is not just a presidential contest. There may be many, many other races to consider, including judicial and referenda. Be prepared.

[Eliot Rosewater]

11. yes

[SheltieLover]

7. Not all states allow for hand delivery of ballots

TN does not allow this.

Please check your state laws ahead of time.

[Eliot Rosewater]

12. Start making noise now then, please. Contact your local DNC office, ask them what you can

do and how can you help others know what to do. thanks

[SheltieLover]

13. Local dnc

Has been unresponsive for 3 yrs

But I'll call senators & reps!

[liberalla]

8. K & R for good info! This is what I've been planning to do.

Pass it on!

[AllaN01Bear]

10. will be dropping it off at the county court house , that is were county elections reside .