Thursday, October 05, 2006

Absence makes the heart grow fonder... and the ballot is just as important

Just in case you can't make it to the polls -- or, in many states, don't want to actually go to the polls -- on November 7th, absentee ballots and early voting are just the ticket.

Some states allow any registered voter to vote absentee, some require a reason. Some states also have some form of "early voting," where voters can go to specified locations (usually county election offices) and cast their ballots. The National Conference of State Legislatures lists the states with "no-excuses" absentee voting, and early voting.

There really is NO EXCUSE for not voting.


Absentee voting and early voting has already opened in many states. Listed below are links to where you can find information about absentee voting for each state. Information about early voting can also be obtained from county election offices.


Alabama
Alaska
Arizona [contact county election officials, information at link]
Arkansas
California
Colorado [pdf]
Connecticut
D.C.
Delaware
Florida
Georgia (Georgia is unique in that it has "no-excuse" absentee voting by mail, but you have to have a reason to vote absentee in person -- the exact reverse of many states)
Hawaii
Idaho
Illinois
Indiana[pdf]
Iowa
[by mail]
Kansas
Kentucky
Louisiana
Maine
Maryland
Massachusetts
Michigan Note: If you registered by mail, you will need to vote in person before you are eligible to vote absentee
Minnesota
Mississippi [you have to contact county officials for information on absentee voting]
Missouri
Montana
Nebraska
Nevada
New Hampshire
New Jersey
New Mexico
New York
North Carolina [pdf]
North Dakota, early voting
Ohio
Oklahoma
Oregon Note: elections are conducted completely by mail; if you're registered, you'll be sent a ballot. If you don't receive a ballot at least two weeks before the election (October 24), contact your County Elections Office
Pennsylvania
Rhode Island
South Carolina
South Dakota
Tennessee
Texas
Utah
Vermont
Virginia
Washington Note: 34 of 39 counties in Washington have elections by mail, you should receive a ballot in the mail. If election day approaches and you have not received one, contact your County Auditor
West Virginia
Wisconsin
Wyoming [pdf, Voter's Guide, includes lists of county clerks]

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