I've always gone and voted in person, but this year I requested a mail in ballot. Just didn't feel like standing in line with a face mask on.

If you're in PA, you can request one, without reason. Simple to fill out (shade ovals with black or blue pen). Sign, put on a stamp, and you're done.

John

Edit: Yeah, the title has changed, a couple of times. Seems this thread can't be removed.

www.votespa.com/Voting-in...

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We had early voting for a primary a few months ago before COVID-19. Just go to city hall to vote. No crowds. Really like early voting here.

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Since I retired I decided to become an Election Official. I have only worked 2 elections to date, one in Feb. and one this Tuesday. The number of absentee ballots was significantly higher this time. For the poll that I work it was almost 2:1 AB to in person.

We only allowed 10 people in at a time and only twice did we have to hold people at the door. Almost everyone wore a mask. This was a local election, so the turnout was light compared to what is expected in November.

If you vote in person, I ask that you thank the election officials for there service, they work 15 hours and have to deal with the public. Another request is to do your research BEFORE you get to the poll. We had a number of people get in the voting both pull out their phone and try to decide who to vote for. That is the reason that we had to hold people from coming in.

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I wish we had early voting here. I'd probably go that route. Just hate standing in a line, and this was before Covid-19. Our voting was moved to June 2nd. I'm curious to see the lines. I'll pass the township building on the way in to work and again on the way home.

But, I was fairly impressed with the mail in process. You have to request it first, then you are mail a single, don't make a mistake, ballet. It's bar-coded to your name and address and you have to sign it. Two envelopes, one for the actual ballet, and one that it fits in for mailing. Really don't see how this can be faked, as long as that bar-code is unique and tied to you. A good part of our military vote this way, so I think we can expand on it.

I don't trust electronic voting yet. There must be a paper trail. I'm as techy as they get, but you have to be able to audit.

John

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I wish we had early voting here. I'd probably go that route. Just hate standing in a line, and this was before Covid-19. Our voting was moved to June 2nd. I'm curious to see the lines. I'll pass the township building on the way in to work and again on the way home.

But, I was fairly impressed with the mail in process. You have to request it first, then you are mail a single, don't make a mistake, ballet. It's bar-coded to your name and address and you have to sign it. Two envelopes, one for the actual ballet, and one that it fits in for mailing. Really don't see how this can be faked, as long as that bar-code is unique and tied to you. A good part of our military vote this way, so I think we can expand on it.

I don't trust electronic voting yet. There must be a paper trail. I'm as techy as they get, but you have to be able to audit.

John

The chain-of-custody for paper ballots cast at a polling place (with ID requirements) is the most secure and auditable method. Electronic ballots are less so, but still much better than mail-in (absentee) ballots because they are at least traceable to where they were cast.
The mail in (absentee) ballot was intended for a small number of people with exigent circumstances, such as military deployment, not for those who are too lazy or uneducated to vote. It is the least secure, least auditable method because there are so many breaks in the chain of custody. About as secure as an Amazon package on a front porch of a vacant home. Or American Idol voting.

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I wish we had early voting here. I'd probably go that route. Just hate standing in a line, and this was before Covid-19. Our voting was moved to June 2nd. I'm curious to see the lines. I'll pass the township building on the way in to work and again on the way home.

But, I was fairly impressed with the mail in process. You have to request it first, then you are mail a single, don't make a mistake, ballet. It's bar-coded to your name and address and you have to sign it. Two envelopes, one for the actual ballet, and one that it fits in for mailing. Really don't see how this can be faked, as long as that bar-code is unique and tied to you. A good part of our military vote this way, so I think we can expand on it.

I don't trust electronic voting yet. There must be a paper trail. I'm as techy as they get, but you have to be able to audit.

John

The chain-of-custody for paper ballots cast at a polling place (with ID requirements) is the most secure and auditable method. Electronic ballots are less so, but still much better than mail-in (absentee) ballots because they are at least traceable to where they were cast.
The mail in (absentee) ballot was intended for a small number of people with exigent circumstances, such as military deployment, not for those who are too lazy or uneducated to vote. It is the least secure, least auditable method because there are so many breaks in the chain of custody. About as secure as an Amazon package on a front porch of a vacant home. Or American Idol voting.

I refuse to do the mail in ballot. Unfortunately, I just don't trust the system enough.

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I've always gone and voted in person, but this year I requested a mail in ballot. Just didn't feel like standing in line with a face mask on.

If you're in PA, you can request one, without reason. Simple to fill out (shade ovals with black or blue pen). Sign, put on a stamp, and you're done.

John

Its the way to go!!! I've voted like this a few times when I knew their was a chance I would be out of the country come voting day

Someday the US will wake up and do what the rest of the world has been doing for years. Make election day a national holiday or have a federal system in place to do it. I'm 57 and voted for the first time at 18, I've never missed a vote yet. It's absolutely pathetic in our great country we have the lowest turn out for voting on the planet

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I've always gone and voted in person, but this year I requested a mail in ballot. Just didn't feel like standing in line with a face mask on.

If you're in PA, you can request one, without reason. Simple to fill out (shade ovals with black or blue pen). Sign, put on a stamp, and you're done.

John

Its the way to go!!! I've voted like this a few times when I knew their was a chance I would be out of the country come voting day

Someday the US will wake up and do what the rest of the world has been doing for years. Make election day a national holiday or have a federal system in place to do it. I'm 57 and voted for the first time at 18, I've never missed a vote yet. It's absolutely pathetic in our great country we have the lowest turn out for voting on the planet

The turn out rate is pathetic. The precent I work has ~5600 eligible voters and the last election had in person and AB at 15%.

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I've always gone and voted in person, but this year I requested a mail in ballot. Just didn't feel like standing in line with a face mask on.

If you're in PA, you can request one, without reason. Simple to fill out (shade ovals with black or blue pen). Sign, put on a stamp, and you're done.

John

Its the way to go!!! I've voted like this a few times when I knew their was a chance I would be out of the country come voting day

Someday the US will wake up and do what the rest of the world has been doing for years. Make election day a national holiday or have a federal system in place to do it. I'm 57 and voted for the first time at 18, I've never missed a vote yet. It's absolutely pathetic in our great country we have the lowest turn out for voting on the planet

The turn out rate is pathetic. The precent I work has ~5600 eligible voters and the last election had in person and AB at 15%.

Sometimes I think they should put the names of the people who don't vote in the newspaper. If you don't vote you are not allowed to complain who is in office, from dog catcher to POTUS

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The chain-of-custody for paper ballots cast at a polling place (with ID requirements) is the most secure and auditable method. Electronic ballots are less so, but still much better than mail-in (absentee) ballots because they are at least traceable to where they were cast.

Our polling location doesn't require ID. They look up your name in the register, write down your ballet number next to it and have you sign the register. That's it. Pretty much exactly the same as the mail in ballot except the first two steps are done already. No way are electronic ballots without a paper trail better than mail-in. There's basically no audit trail.

The mail in (absentee) ballot was intended for a small number of people with exigent circumstances, such as military deployment, not for those who are too lazy or uneducated to vote. It is the least secure, least auditable method because there are so many breaks in the chain of custody. About as secure as an Amazon package on a front porch of a vacant home. Or American Idol voting.

I'd argue that I was more educated this time. I had the ballet right in front of me and could take my time researching the candidates. I guess if you vote straight party line it's easy (except for Primaries of course), but I don't do that. I appreciated being able to easily look up everyone, on my own time. Previously, I'd have try to find out all the candidates before voting day, do the research and then write it all down and bring it with me.

Also, you can hand deliver your mail-in vote if you don't want to go through the USPS. Really not sure why you think it's the least secure or audit able method.

John

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In VA. all ballots are paper, both in person and AB. At the poll they are tallied in a ballot reader. At the end of the day all of the ballots are removed from the machine and sealed in a bag. This is done with 2 witnesses and signed by them (both parties). I have not seen what happens when an AB is received, but I am sure it is quite similar.

Also during the election representation from the election board will come to the poll and inspect (again both parties). Also during the election usually a representative from each party will stop in and ask what the turnout volume is.

The biggest problem we had at the last election was people that got an AB then decided to vote in person. For VA if this is what you want to do, it is best that you bring the AB with you, about half did. This will allow the AB to be "Spoiled" and a new ballot issued. If it is not brought to the poll then you can vote "Provisional". This means that the ballot will not be counted until it is verified that the mailed ballot was not sent in.

This is just some of the things that are done while the voting is going on.

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Received email:

Dear JOHN WATERS,
Your ballot has been received by BUCKS County on 05/25/2020.
Your ballot status has been updated to reflect your official ballot has been received timely and recorded.

Please note: You are no longer permitted to vote at your polling place location now that you have returned your ballot timely.
If you have questions about your ballot, please contact BUCKS County at (215) 348-6163.
Thank you

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Might want to edit that, friend.

Never a good idea to dox yourself

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Thanks for the heads up , but I'll be fine. Go ahead, do a search for me... I'm a little torn between hairspray and cry-baby...

It's just my name (not full name actually), which I've posted before, and my county. I'm very aware of my online information and online presence. I do appreciate the concern though.

John

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Sure thing

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I'm a little torn between hairspray and cry-baby... Baltimore guy here. I liked Cry-Baby better. A lot of big names in it.

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I enjoyed reading the excellent contributions and commentary about a potentially volatile topic that i am conflicted about.....thanks.

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I enjoyed reading the excellent contributions and commentary about a potentially volatile topic that i am conflicted about.....thanks.

I'm actually really surprised at how well the topic has gone so far. A little name calling by one, but really minor and completely overlook-able. I wish we could do this in most other threads.

I'll admit I wasn't sure going into mail-in voting, which is why I choose a primary to do it in. I'm much more at ease now. If we had early voting, that would probably be the way I'd go, but I'm satisfied with my mail-in voting experience.

John

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I'm a little torn between hairspray and cry-baby... Baltimore guy here. I liked Cry-Baby better. A lot of big names in it.

Have you seen the remake Hairspray with Travolta? Him and Zac are pretty big names... I wonder if they do mail-in voting...

John

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I enjoyed reading the excellent contributions and commentary about a potentially volatile topic that i am conflicted about.....thanks.

I'm actually really surprised at how well the topic has gone so far. A little name calling by one, but really minor and completely overlook-able. I wish we could do this in most other threads.

I'll admit I wasn't sure going into mail-in voting, which is why I choose a primary to do it in. I'm much more at ease now. If we had early voting, that would probably be the way I'd go, but I'm satisfied with my mail-in voting experience.

John

We have the early voting here which is what I do. I have to travel a little bit to do it but it's well worth it. Never a wait to vote, plus I have to drive by one of my favorite fishing holes to get there so it a win, win for me.

LikeQuoteFlag

I enjoyed reading the excellent contributions and commentary about a potentially volatile topic that i am conflicted about.....thanks.

I'm actually really surprised at how well the topic has gone so far. A little name calling by one, but really minor and completely overlook-able. I wish we could do this in most other threads.

I'll admit I wasn't sure going into mail-in voting, which is why I choose a primary to do it in. I'm much more at ease now. If we had early voting, that would probably be the way I'd go, but I'm satisfied with my mail-in voting experience.

John

Don't you know according to POTUS mail in ballots are the work of the devil fraught with all kinds of fraud? Lol

If Trump looses the election it will be because of millions of fraudulent votes

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I enjoyed reading the excellent contributions and commentary about a potentially volatile topic that i am conflicted about.....thanks.

I'm actually really surprised at how well the topic has gone so far. A little name calling by one, but really minor and completely overlook-able. I wish we could do this in most other threads.

I'll admit I wasn't sure going into mail-in voting, which is why I choose a primary to do it in. I'm much more at ease now. If we had early voting, that would probably be the way I'd go, but I'm satisfied with my mail-in voting experience.

John

Don't you know according to POTUS mail in ballots are the work of the devil fraught with all kinds of fraud? Lol

If Trump looses the election it will be because of millions of fraudulent votes

There is a lot of truth in your statement.

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I enjoyed reading the excellent contributions and commentary about a potentially volatile topic that i am conflicted about.....thanks.

I'm actually really surprised at how well the topic has gone so far. A little name calling by one, but really minor and completely overlook-able. I wish we could do this in most other threads.

I'll admit I wasn't sure going into mail-in voting, which is why I choose a primary to do it in. I'm much more at ease now. If we had early voting, that would probably be the way I'd go, but I'm satisfied with my mail-in voting experience.

John

Don't you know according to POTUS mail in ballots are the work of the devil fraught with all kinds of fraud? Lol

If Trump looses the election it will be because of millions of fraudulent votes

There is a lot of truth in your statement.

Remind me of the voter fraud issue their was in NC and who was involved in it????

But Donald cleared all of that up remember

I almost pissed myself when he went off about mail in ballots again. Its nothing but fraud, fraud, fraud.

Trump SHUT DOWN the VOTER FRAUD COMMISSION on January 3, 2018.! Now he's complaining about voter fraud.!? LOL , the Stable Genius.!

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Sent mine in, and received the email notification that it has been received.

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Vote, in person, with government ID, electronically validated at the poll. Everyone votes ONCE, no illegals, no felons, just US Citizens. We have national holidays for everything else, I would agree to a day off.

Every way tried so far to remove the President has failed, miserably. But if the fraud succeeds in November, very well might be CW2. Remember, you asked for it.

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