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Reading past the headlines

In a weekend article headlined “Absentee Isn’t a Guarantee,” The SP Times seems to be going out of its way to imply problems with voting absentee, despite the fact that their piece fails to back their argument.

Follow the link above to read the article. I’m not gonna bother directly quoting from it - it pretty much shoots itself in the foot every few paragraphs, but here’s a synopsis.

They lead with a story about problems with witnessing absentee ballots - problems that have been done away with through legislation loosening the requirements for a witness’s signature. They admit that absentee ballot requests are up and then quote Leon County Election Supervisor Ion Sancho saying that absentee is the best bet for touch screen voters who are concerned about the lack of a recountable paper ballot.

Finally, in the tenth paragraph of their story, they quote an Ohio professor who believes that voting absentee results in greater disenfranchisement due to voter error.

Once again, though, they are forced to backtrack and point out that he state has fixed the most glaring problems with absentee ballots in Florida, thus making many of the Times’ arguments moot.

After a lot of examples that are no longer pertinent, due to the new legislation, along with a few factual statements that seem to poke holes in their theory, they finish by going back to the story of the woman who did not have her ballot properly witnessed - again, the Legislature has fixed this problem. It wont affect voters this November.

Anyway, despite the fact that her local supervisor had an employee hand deliver a new ballot, this woman, whose vote counted, has lost confidence in the absentee system, so, I guess, readers should also be wary, because, uh, something might go wrong?

Don’t listen to the SP Times. Create a verifiable, recountable paper trail for your vote. Request an absentee ballot. Follow the instructions and fill it out carefully. Don’t end up with something looking like
this.

Florida’s e-voting machines have no auditable paper trail. if you want your vote to count, you must vote absentee via optical scan ballot. This means requesting and filling out an absentee ballot form your county elections supervisor.

Hillsborough County residents

(More information: General Hillsborough County info)

Here’s a link to all of the Florida county elections supervisors. You need to contact your local county elections supervisor in order to request an absentee ballot.

There’s more - click the “continue...” link to see facts about voting absentee in Florida.

From the SP Times article mocked in the main post, here’s a good Absentee Q&A

Q&A: ABSENTEE VOTING

Who can vote by absentee ballot?

Any registered voter. In 2001, Florida legislators dropped restrictions.

How do you get an absentee ballot?

You can request one in person, in writing or by phone from your local elections supervisor, and in most cases online, up to the day before the election. A voter or a member of the voter's immediate family or the voter's legal guardian can request an absentee ballot.

How much time do you have to mail an absentee ballot?

It must arrive at the local elections office by 7 p.m. on election day. Overseas ballots must arrive within 10 days after the election.

What information must be included on the absentee ballot?

Your name, address and date of birth. The ballot must be dated and signed, and the signature must match the signature on file with the elections office. First-time voters who registered by mail must include a copy of a picture ID with the absentee ballot. Alternative identification includes copies of a utility bill, a bank statement, a government check, a paycheck or other government document.

Will I know if my ballot was accepted?

No. Elections supervisors say they do not have the staff to contact voters.

Are there other alternatives?

Yes, early voting. You can cast ballots on the same machines used on election day, starting at least 15 days before an election, at your local elections office. For the Aug. 31 primary, early voting runs Aug. 16-30, excluding Sundays. Contact your local elections office for exact hours and locations.

How do I reach my local elections office?

Here's a list:

Pinellas Elections Supervisor

Deborah Clark

315 Court St., Room 117

Clearwater, FL 33756

(727) 464-3551 Hillsborough Elections Supervisor

Buddy Johnson

601 E Kennedy Blvd., 16th Floor

Tampa, FL 33602

(813) 272-5850 Pasco Elections Supervisor

Kurt Browning

14236 Sixth St., Suite 200

Dade City, FL 33523

(352) 521-4302 Hernando Elections Supervisor

Annie Williams

20 N Main St., Room 165

Brooksville, FL 34601

(352) 754-4125 Citrus Elections Supervisor

Susan Gill

120 N Apopka Ave.

Inverness, FL 34450

(352) 341-6740

And more....

Voting Absentee in Florida

The following list of frequently asked questions is from the Hillsborough County supervisor’s web iste, and is therefore somewhat specific to county residents, but the rules are the same no matter where you reside in Florida - any registered voter can request and vote an absentee ballot. You do not need to actually be absent on election day. So follow this link and contact your own county supervisor and request an absentee ballot today.

ABSENTEE VOTING

Who is eligible for an absentee ballot?
If you are a qualified registered Hillsborough County voter, you are entitled to vote by absentee ballot.

How do I obtain an absentee ballot?
An absentee ballot may be requested for a specific election or for all elections in the current calendar year. The request can be made in person, by mail, fax, E-mail or by telephone. You can also fill out a request on-line by clicking here. The absentee request must include the voter's name, address, birthdate and signature if a written request. Only the voter or a designated member of his or her immediate family or legal guardian can request an absentee ballot for the voter. If the voter has designated an immediate family member or legal guardian to request an absentee ballot for him or herself, the designee must provide the required request information for the voter and the designee's name, address and relationship to the voter.

When are absentee ballots available?
Absentee ballots are mailed approximately 30 days prior to each election to those voters who have requested an absentee ballot. A qualified voter may vote in person at either of the two offices of the Supervisor of Elections during the two weeks prior to an election.

WARNING - In Hillsborough County, this form of in person early voting involves using paperless touch screen machines - the kind that are flawed and leave no paper trail.

For other available early voting sites, please call our office at 813-272-5850 for additional information. Within four days of an election, a designated person may carry out up to two ballots for anyone as long as the required request information is provided and the voter specifically authorizes the person to pick up the ballot in writing. There is no limitation on number of carryouts for immediate family members.

How do I return my absentee ballot?
Absentee ballots must be returned in the envelope provided. The envelope must include the voter's signature, the witness information and signature. Voted absentee ballots must be received by 5:00 p.m. on Election Day at the County Center office of the Supervisor of Elections or not later than 7 p.m. at the Robert L. Gilder Elections Service Center. A VOTED BALLOT CANNOT BE ACCEPTED AT A POLLING PLACE. If you request and receive an absentee ballot and later decide to vote at the polls, take your absentee ballot with you to be cancelled at your polling place.