Election 2008: How to Vote for President by Mail

I don't know about you but I hate standing in long lines just waiting for the line to move. Whether it be grocery shopping, Wal-Mart, or my favorite restaurant I avoid long lines like the plague. It is a little different when it comes to voting. No matter how long the election line, I will patiently wait my turn and cast my vote for president. .... But I still won't like the long line.

Luckily, for the elections of 2008, more than half the states allow you to vote-by-mail without the need for a government approved excuse or reason. It used to be that you needed a special situation or excuse that forced you to vote by mail. Either you were in the military overseas, in the hospital or you were on a business trip to London and there was simply no way you could get to a voting booth near your home.

All of that has changed in recent years. Some western states, like Oregon and Washington, actually would almost prefer you vote-by-mail. Most states have even changed the words used to describe voting by mail. For most of the 20th century it was simply called an absentee ballot. Now most states call it vote-by-mail to more accurately reflect the freedom they give you to decide how you go about casting your vote.

So why haven't the other 22 states approved no excuse vote-by-mail? Well the big danger with vote-by-mail is the potential for voter fraud. Some states are justifiably terrified about getting the vote numbers right. There are simply too many unsavory types out there who will try to cheat the system and vote two or three times.

So how exactly do you go about voting for president by mail? Well it is easier than you think but it will still require following very strict procedures.

1. Plan In Advance: You will be dealing with your state government and the US Postal system. What this means is you will need to plan everything well in advance of the elections on November 4. Some states require completed initial paper work 2 weeks in advance. Other states have earlier or later registration deadlines. If your boss tells you on November 3 that he wants you to fly to Mexico City tonight for an all day business meeting tomorrow it will probably be too late to think about vote-by-mail.

2. First Contact: Each individual state controls how and if you can vote-by-mail. So you will need to read up about your states procedures. The best resource I have found that covers all 50 states is at www.longdistancevoter.org. At the bottom of their home web page they list all 50 states. Click on your state and read everything they have to say about vote-by-mail or absentee voting for your state. The deadlines for everything are listed right at the top of each states page. If you still have unanswered questions there are state phone numbers at the bottom of each states page, most are toll free.

3. Register to Vote: Usually this step is easy. I recommend using the Voter Registration Widget at www.longdistancevoter.org for this step. Or, alternately, you can print out your states forms directly using the link they provide. Fill in the forms, sign it, and mail it to the address provided. Include a copy of required ID if your state requires it at this step.

4. Apply for a Vote-By-Mail Ballot: In some states this step can be a stickler. Separate from registering to vote you are going to have to apply for a vote-by-mail ballot. Follow the procedures outlined at longdistancevoter.org but also contact your local or state election authorities about what you need to do. Do what they ask, fill in the forms, sign it if needed and mail your application before the deadline. The state will evaluate your application and mail out your vote-by-mail ballot if it is approved.

5. Fill In and Return Vote-By-Mail Ballot: Once you receive your vote-by-mail ballot, fill it in, sign it if necessary, and mail it back before the deadline. For some states, as long as they get it by November 4 they are happy. Other states have earlier deadlines.

As we all know, voting is a civic responsibility that we should never take lightly. And now, more than ever, states are giving us options when it comes to how we submit our ballots.