[sf-lug] Vote early or late? (was Re: SF-LUG Jit.se Meeting)

[Akkana Peck]

Rick Moen writes:
> The obvious problem with early voting (if you mean, say, casting a
> ballot a month before Election Day) is there's always a small chance
> things might change, and you lose the chance to adjust your choices.
> 
> So, everyone in my family _currently_ plans to drive to the main county
> election office about four days before the election (during business

I usually wait until election day or thereabouts, because sometimes
I do see news late in the election that changes my mind about
something. But this year I plan to return my mail ballot early,
because:

> 2.  It's _really_ important this time to follow the ballot directions,
> including signing in the correct place, using the form of your name 
> in the voter roles, and try to make sure your signature matches the 
> one they have on file.  

This of course varies by location, but in my NM small town,
the county clerk has a squad of volunteers checking outer envelopes
as they come in, and if there's anything wrong that might prevent the
ballot from being counted, they're making every effort to contact
the voter and get it corrected before election day. Large CA
counties may not be able to do that, but if there's any possibility
that your county or precinct is doing this, voting early helps to
guard against making a procedural mistake like forgetting to sign
your middle initial.

        ...Akkana