posted
As far as reasons go this one is a bit strange.
My college, (Utah Valley University) is involved in the Utah Colleges Exit Poll every election year. Since I am in the essential political analysis class and my teacher is one of the head honchos of the exit poll our whole class was co opted into signing up to assist in the exit poll. Since I have a car I was selected as team leader for my group. Because I have to work in the morning so that I can be available for my poll shift, (12:30pm-polls close,) I can't vote early in the morning. So after literally years worth of article reading, news watching, candidate discussion, it turns out that I will have no time to vote on Tuesday and there is nothing I can do about it.
I attempted to go to UVU and vote early today but the line is at least 2 hours long and I can't leave my wife stranded at work. The fact I live in Utah and so my vote doesn't really matter provides me with little comfort.
It's somewhat ironic that I will spend upwards of seven hours asking people to fill out surveys at a polling station without actually casting a ballot myself.
edited for clarity and other grammatical high-jinks.
edit: But on the flip side I'm very excited to be involved in some genuine political research, something that is at least as important as a vote.
posted
Your vote doesn't matter regardless of where you live. The philosophical benefit of actively participating in the electoral system should provide you with little comfort.
Posts: 959 | Registered: Oct 2005
| IP: Logged |
posted
I worked at the Canadian election and had the same problem. I also missed the advanced ballots. However, I just had to go to the nearby Elections Canada office and vote anytime. Don't you have something like that?
Posts: 8473 | Registered: Apr 2003
| IP: Logged |
quote:Originally posted by BlackBlade: It's somewhat ironic that I will spend upwards of seven hours asking people to fill out surveys at a polling station without actually casting a ballot myself.
You don't get a single break in seven hours? Explain your dilemma. They should fast track you to the head of the line during one of your breaks so you can vote. You're VOLUNTEERING seven hours of your time to be there. If all else fails, explain that if they can't fast track you, then you will need to finish up early in order to get on a line.
Your vote matters. You choosing to vote matters.
Posts: 23 | Registered: Sep 2007
| IP: Logged |
quote:Originally posted by BlackBlade: As far as reasons go this one is a bit strange.
My college, (Utah Valley University) is involved in the Utah Colleges Exit Poll every election year. Since I am in the essential political analysis class and my teacher is one of the head honchos of the exit poll our whole class was co opted into signing up to assist in the exit poll.
And you weren't warned in time to get your mail application in by today? That's terrible.
And I guess it's too late for you to arrange to try your luck at the county clerk or recorder's office too, since those are supposed to be open Saturday and Monday? Bummer.
Oh...and your state won't let you vote provisionally at a different precinct! That's harsh.
Posts: 575 | Registered: Feb 2007
| IP: Logged |
quote:Originally posted by BlackBlade: It's somewhat ironic that I will spend upwards of seven hours asking people to fill out surveys at a polling station without actually casting a ballot myself.
You don't get a single break in seven hours? Explain your dilemma. They should fast track you to the head of the line during one of your breaks so you can vote. You're VOLUNTEERING seven hours of your time to be there. If all else fails, explain that if they can't fast track you, then you will need to finish up early in order to get on a line.
Your vote matters. You choosing to vote matters.
Well remember I have to vote at the polling station assigned to my place of residence. I'll be in another part of the county when I do exit polling.
Posts: 14316 | Registered: Jul 2005
| IP: Logged |
posted
You have not been disenfranchised. You have made some choices that have possibly disenfranchised yourself. No one took your vote away from you, no one challenged you right to vote or threatened you about your vote. To phrase it like it's something external depriving you of your right to vote is a cop-out. If it matters enough to you, you'll make it happen. If you decide other things matter more, you won't. And that's fine, but then don't bemoan your wasted years of staying informed. Hopefully you got more out of them than the benefit they would have provided you in your selections in this one election, anyway.
Posts: 7954 | Registered: Mar 2004
| IP: Logged |
Blayne Bradley
unregistered
posted
You know whats worse? When all of the British army got disenfranchised in WWI due to a technicality. Bummer.
IP: Logged |
quote:Originally posted by ElJay: You have not been disenfranchised. You have made some choices that have possibly disenfranchised yourself. No one took your vote away from you, no one challenged you right to vote or threatened you about your vote. To phrase it like it's something external depriving you of your right to vote is a cop-out. If it matters enough to you, you'll make it happen. If you decide other things matter more, you won't. And that's fine, but then don't bemoan your wasted years of staying informed. Hopefully you got more out of them than the benefit they would have provided you in your selections in this one election, anyway.
I'm not a big fan of word games, but if I make choices that end up making it impossible for me to vote, I can still say I have been disenfranchised.
My wife was excited to participate in her first election and so we had planned on going to the polls together on Tuesday. I knew I would be doing exit polling but the key problem was that I had no idea the shifts were as long as they are. For example the morning shift goes from 7:00am-1:30pm. If I had that shift, (something I can't control) I could still conceivably vote. But I have the 1:00pm-polls close shift. Not participating in this exit poll essentially amounts to an F in the class, and postponement of graduation for another semester, not to mention academic probation for said F.
Emotion is in the eye of the reader as far as the internet is concerned I suppose but you seem to be picking up more of an angry vibe than I intended. I'm still going to make one last attempt to vote election day by waking up extra early, finishing work in the morning and seeing if I can finish voting inside one hour.
Posts: 14316 | Registered: Jul 2005
| IP: Logged |
quote:Originally posted by BlackBlade: Well remember I have to vote at the polling station assigned to my place of residence. I'll be in another part of the county when I do exit polling.
:gently: It is your decision to go to work. It is your decision to participate in this exit poll. You have not been "disenfranchised" you have been inconvenienced. Since it means so much to you, I suggest you show up late for work in the morning, or show up late for the polling in the afternoon. Yes, that means things won't work out perfectly, but you can stil vote.
Edit: and by the way, we may soon start hearing some real stories of disenfranchisement, and I don't think it's fair to claim that's what's happening to you. With groups of lawyers and "vote challengers" planning some pretty awful strategies to intimidate young voters -like lying to them about the IRS- or kicking out people with foreclosed homes (even though it doesn't constitute voter fraud to vote with a foreclosed home).
So let's keep our eye on the prize, yaknow?
Posts: 9912 | Registered: Nov 2005
| IP: Logged |
quote:Originally posted by BlackBlade: Well remember I have to vote at the polling station assigned to my place of residence. I'll be in another part of the county when I do exit polling.
:gently: It is your decision to go to work. It is your decision to participate in this exit poll. You have not been "disenfranchised" you have been inconvenienced. Since it means so much to you, I suggest you show up late for work in the morning, or show up late for the polling in the afternoon. Yes, that means things won't work out perfectly, but you can stil vote.
Edit: and by the way, we may soon start hearing some real stories of disenfranchisement, and I don't think it's fair to claim that's what's happening to you. With groups of lawyers and "vote challengers" planning some pretty awful strategies to intimidate young voters -like lying to them about the IRS- or kicking out people with foreclosed homes (even though it doesn't constitute voter fraud to vote with a foreclosed home).
So let's keep our eye on the prize, yaknow?
While it is strictly true that I do not have to participate in this exit poll, to not do so would engender several unfavorable conditions that make voting essentially impossible.
As for people being disenfranchised for more devious reasons, I was not aware that my plight is not sufficiently terrible to warrant association. Perhaps you could suggest what I might do in order to pass this class, graduate, and still vote?
Posts: 14316 | Registered: Jul 2005
| IP: Logged |
posted
Blackblade: suppose my Mother got in a car accident while I was on my way to the polls. I get a frantic call from my sister, that there needs to be somebody going to the house and getting her medications and information, while she rushes to the hospital to look after her. I have a decision to make. A decision. It's not much of a decision, and of course I am obligated to look after my Mother, but I could not then claim to have been disenfranchised, under the common use of that word.
The common use of the word is "to deprive (somoene) of the right to vote." And it is overwhelmingly collocated with "the law," as in "the law disenfranchised these voters." You still have the right, ergo: you have not been disenfranchised. You have been inconvenienced.
It is no one's responsibility but your own to make sure that you have set aside time to vote, or requested an absentee ballot, or a provisional ballot. Practically speaking, your situation is difficult, but you do not have the express right to pass your class, and still vote. The two may come into conflict- that is no one's responsibility but yours. I would suggest that you tell your teacher you need to vote, and that this is very important, and that you go to the polls, and vote. If you do not do this, which you have the opportunity to do, this will not mean that you have been deprived of your right to vote.
Sorry to sound hard, but your not one of the people who are going to be unfairly intimidated and discouraged from voting this year. You're just unfortunate.
Posts: 9912 | Registered: Nov 2005
| IP: Logged |
quote:Originally posted by Orincoro: Blackblade: suppose my Mother got in a car accident while I was on my way to the polls. I get a frantic call from my sister, that there needs to be somebody going to the house and getting her medications and information, while she rushes to the hospital to look after her. I have a decision to make. A decision. It's not much of a decision, and of course I am obligated to look after my Mother, but I could not then claim to have been disenfranchised, under the common use of that word.
The common use of the word is "to deprive (somoene) of the right to vote." And it is overwhelmingly collocated with "the law," as in "the law disenfranchised these voters." You still have the right, ergo: you have not been disenfranchised. You have been inconvenienced.
It is no one's responsibility but your own to make sure that you have set aside time to vote, or requested an absentee ballot, or a provisional ballot. Practically speaking, your situation is difficult, but you do not have the express right to pass your class, and still vote. The two may come into conflict- that is no one's responsibility but yours. I would suggest that you tell your teacher you need to vote, and that this is very important, and that you go to the polls, and vote. If you do not do this, which you have the opportunity to do, this will not mean that you have been deprived of your right to vote.
Sorry to sound hard, but your not one of the people who are going to be unfairly intimidated and discouraged from voting this year. You're just unfortunate.
I'll take unfortunate. I don't pretend to be like some folks who face unethical behavior at the polls. I just found it obnoxious that I will be unable to vote because of several factors all coming together. But again I stress that I am also excited to be involved in this research.
Posts: 14316 | Registered: Jul 2005
| IP: Logged |
posted
In that case I sympathize very much with your situation. I get terribly frustrated when things like this happen- and I'm frustrated on your behalf. This is why I think it's foolish for us to rely on an overwhelmingly single-day voting system. Why not have a three day ballot process? What's stopping us?
Myself, I applied for an absentee ballot that i knew would be sent after I had already left for Europe. If I attempted to re-register and have my ballot sent to my new address in Prague, it likely would take far too long to reach me, and then arrive back in time to be counted.
So I requested an absentee ballot, and had it sent to my parent's house, and authorized them to fill in and sign the ballot for me. My Dad is a lawyer, and assured me that this was above board. I don't know that not voting would have been more ethically sound- I voted, and I got to do what I wanted to do, but had I not had my parents to help me, I would not have been able to vote.
Posts: 9912 | Registered: Nov 2005
| IP: Logged |
posted
"Hey Professor, I have to work Tuesday morning, so I'll have to stop by my polling place to vote before I'm there for my shift. I'm sure you understand how important it is that we all vote. I'll ask if they will let me go to the front of the line, seeing as I am volunteering at another polling place."
There's no way he's going to fail you for that. Imagine the furor. Student receives failing grade for voting!
Posts: 2880 | Registered: Jun 2004
| IP: Logged |
posted
Disenfranchisement is when your state sends your absentee ballot so that it arrive a few days after election day - which is what has occurred to me twice. What has happened to you is not on the same level, and cannot be called disenfranchisement.
Posts: 2409 | Registered: Sep 2003
| IP: Logged |
quote:Originally posted by Jhai: Disenfranchisement is when your state sends your absentee ballot so that it arrive a few days after election day - which is what has occurred to me twice. What has happened to you is not on the same level, and cannot be called disenfranchisement.
If that happens here, you can go to your county website, print out a sample ballot, and fax it in with a provisional ballot signature form (also available on the county website) OR explain what happened, show up at your polling place or (in some counties) county clerk's office, and show a valid ID in order to vote there.
Posts: 21182 | Registered: Sep 2004
| IP: Logged |
posted
I'm with Katarain, talk to your professor about your situation and see if he'll let you show up a little later in the day. Also, you could see if your boss can give you an extended lunch break so you can vote. If voting is important to you, fight for the time to do it.
Posts: 681 | Registered: Feb 2004
| IP: Logged |
posted
Where I live (Iowa), we can walk into the auditor's office in the courthouse until just before they close Monday (4:30 p.m.) and fill out an absentee ballot. I failed to register my change of address when I moved and will have to do so Tuesday morning when the polls open. Because I didn't do this in time and so have to vote on Election day instead of voting by absentee ballot, I'll be late for my first class Tuesday.
I'm working full time and going to school. I've missed a lot of school from simply being too tired. And Tuesday will be fun: 1 hour between class and work, and we have a 2 a.m. deadline that night because of the election. I would take the next day off from school to sleep, but I have a test in my first class on Wednesday.
Anyway, my minor griping aside, is it at all possible to go to the county courthouse and vote beforehand? (Not knowing voting laws in Utah)
Posts: 2034 | Registered: Apr 2004
| IP: Logged |
posted
Early voting has been available at several locations in Utah County, including at the County Building, for the past couple weeks.
Posts: 3275 | Registered: May 2007
| IP: Logged |
quote:Originally posted by Orincoro: Myself, I applied for an absentee ballot that i knew would be sent after I had already left for Europe. If I attempted to re-register and have my ballot sent to my new address in Prague, it likely would take far too long to reach me, and then arrive back in time to be counted.
So I requested an absentee ballot, and had it sent to my parent's house, and authorized them to fill in and sign the ballot for me. My Dad is a lawyer, and assured me that this was above board. I don't know that not voting would have been more ethically sound- I voted, and I got to do what I wanted to do, but had I not had my parents to help me, I would not have been able to vote.
Not at all. There is a Federal Write-In Absentee Ballot available online for download. You have to have registered in time (varies, depending on your state for registration in the US), requested an absentee ballot 30 days before the election, and you must mail your ballot in from outside the US borders, but otherwise anyone voting outside the US is good to go.
quote:Can I use the Federal Write-In Absentee Ballot?
As long as you have registered to vote and requested your ballot using the Federal Postcard Application (the form that you completed and signed if you used VoteFromAbroad.org) thirty days before the election or by your State's voter registration deadline (whichever is later), you have the right to use the FWAB. You can find your state's registration and ballot deadlines by going to http://votefromabroad.org/deadlines.php.
How do I get the Federal Write-In Absentee Ballot?
The FWAB is now available on www.VoteFromAbroad.org. If you have already registered to vote and requested your ballot, you should go back to www.VoteFromAbroad.org, answer the questions, download the pdf file and print out the VoteFromAbraod.org instruction sheet, the Voter'sDeclaration/Affirmation-Federal Write-In Absentee Ballot, the Official Federal Write-In Absentee Ballot and the Federal Write-In Absentee Ballot Instructions.
---
Edited again to add: And FedEx has a discounted fee program to send your ballot from abroad overnight.
posted
Thanks for the information. I have already had the absentee ballot sent in on my behalf.
Also, I've been told that you run the risk of your ballot being disqualified if there are any small mistakes. I don't know if that's true, but I am not exactly trusting of the system to count these votes properly. And lastly, there were a number of issues on the ballot, including Prop 8, and I don't know about how to write in my votes on all those things. I'd have done it had I known about it, but I do wish there was a better system than having to apply by physical letter for the ballot in the first place.
Posts: 9912 | Registered: Nov 2005
| IP: Logged |
Just wanted to point out that there is a system in place for those who do not receive their absentee ballots, and it has been in place for years. There is more than adequate and clear instruction online about exactly how to use it.
I'm glad that option is not necessary for you. I am also glad I was able to use my state's absentee ballot, which reached me in time.
Posts: 14017 | Registered: May 2000
| IP: Logged |
quote:Originally posted by MattP: Early voting has been available at several locations in Utah County, including at the County Building, for the past couple weeks.
Remember the plan was to simply vote on election day with Mrs. BB, I assumed foolishly that I would easily be able to do work, attend exit polling, and vote, I'm already missing school that day. Last week on Tuesday was when it became apparent that I might not be able to vote, Wednesday was a wash for other reasons, Thursday I did attempt to vote early but the wait in line proved too long and I had to go pick up Mrs. BB. Friday I was selected as team leader so I had the joy of picking up all the materials and chasing everyone in my group down establishing how we were all going to get to and from the polling place. This was followed by another attempt to vote early but I just didn't have the time again.
My current plan is to show up at the polls at 7:00am and see if coming early at opening might make things work out after all.
edit: As for talking to my professor front, he doesn't set up the scheduling, that's another guy, but they've been running this poll for quite a few elections and apparently the excuse, "I'm not going to have time to vote, can I come late?" has been used enough to no longer warrant acceptance.
I'm not sure what to say except, that this is in part my fault, but I've still got a pretty good chance to play my cards right and get everything done.
posted
That's utterly ridiculous though. I mean, they run somethings on election day every cycle, and they don't figure out that MAYBE, just MAYBE they should warn you at the very beginning that you need to vote absentee because that isn't accepted as an excuse? What kind of banana republic school do you go to? I'd give that prof and his lackey an earful.
Posts: 9912 | Registered: Nov 2005
| IP: Logged |
Printer-friendly view of this topic
