Absentee Ballot Requests Down for Military

[kpol]

A friend posted a blog article about absentee ballot requests being down for military this election and blaming it on the new FVAP.org website. The concern is mostly in swing states. Anyone hear about this?

The only articles I can find are from obvious conservative sources but the DOD is saying there is still time to register. I used FVAP with no issues and I feel like they aren't taking a lot of factors into account for the decline.

www.defense.gov/News/NewsArticle.aspx?ID=118082

[basilosaurus]

Is FVAP the only group that tracks? When I requested absentee in FL I went directly through the state.

Now I don't have to worry about it as my state is 100% mail-in. We even automatically get them earlier than in-state residents. I've had my ballot for about a week now.

[crimewatcher]

Oct 2, 2012 20:25:46 GMT -5 basilosaurus said:

Is FVAP the only group that tracks? When I requested absentee in FL I went directly through the state.

Now I don't have to worry about it as my state is 100% mail-in. We even automatically get them earlier than in-state residents. I've had my ballot for about a week now.

I used FVAP no problem. (I printed out some forms and sent them into my home state). I've had my ballot for at least a week too. I'm waiting for the debates though.

[kpol]

Oct 2, 2012 20:28:17 GMT -5 crimewatcher said:

Oct 2, 2012 20:25:46 GMT -5 basilosaurus said:

Is FVAP the only group that tracks? When I requested absentee in FL I went directly through the state.

Now I don't have to worry about it as my state is 100% mail-in. We even automatically get them earlier than in-state residents. I've had my ballot for about a week now.

I used FVAP no problem. (I printed out some forms and sent them into my home state). I've had my ballot for at least a week too. I'm waiting for the debates though.

This is what I did as well. My county clerk actually e-mailed me my ballot which seems so unofficial, but I'll take it!

[basilosaurus]

I'm not saying FVAP doesn't work. I'm just thinking that maybe a downtick in requests can partially be explained by people requesting directly through the states, bypassing the national resource.

Like I said, I don't have to request anything, so my last experience with absentee was as a college student in 2000.

We have the option of email, fax, or mailing our ballot in. I think there's some online thing, as well, but I haven't looked into it. It's easy for me to fill out the ballot and drop in the mail, and that doesn't require doing the verification steps for the other ways to vote.

No way do I need to wait for the debates Those are purely going to be for entertainment purposes. Maybe a drinking game thrown in. Actually, I think the research show that debates have little impact on people's choice. It may affect turnout, but people are generally decided long before, whether they admit it or not.

I do have a few ballot measures to research, but that's it.

[kpol]

Oct 2, 2012 20:34:15 GMT -5 Stan said:

Oct 2, 2012 20:28:17 GMT -5 crimewatcher said:

I used FVAP no problem. (I printed out some forms and sent them into my home state). I've had my ballot for at least a week too. I'm waiting for the debates though.

That's what I did for H, and why I blame the registrar and not FVAP!

This is what I mean when the articles blame FVAP. Once they provide the forms for you to fill out, it's essentially out of their hands and falls on you, the voter. Some of the articles say that the site gave the wrong dates to register by but the DOD is saying it was corrected and there is still time.

[kpol]

Oct 2, 2012 20:36:31 GMT -5 basilosaurus said:

I'm not saying FVAP doesn't work. I'm just thinking that maybe a downtick in requests can partially be explained by people requesting directly through the states, bypassing the national resource.

But, but, but, if that's the case, then how can we turn it around and blame Obama for suppressing the military vote?? Uggh

I think the debate will be on at 9am tomorrow morning. Baileys in my coffee, perhaps.

[basilosaurus]

kpol, we watched it from the same time zone 4 years ago. It definitely involved coffee and bailey's. We refrained on the drinking portion of our bingo game, though.

[crimewatcher]

Oct 2, 2012 20:36:31 GMT -5 basilosaurus said:

I'm not saying FVAP doesn't work. I'm just thinking that maybe a downtick in requests can partially be explained by people requesting directly through the states, bypassing the national resource.

Like I said, I don't have to request anything, so my last experience with absentee was as a college student in 2000.

We have the option of email, fax, or mailing our ballot in. I think there's some online thing, as well, but I haven't looked into it. It's easy for me to fill out the ballot and drop in the mail, and that doesn't require doing the verification steps for the other ways to vote.

No way do I need to wait for the debates Those are purely going to be for entertainment purposes. Maybe a drinking game thrown in. Actually, I think the research show that debates have little impact on people's choice. It may affect turnout, but people are generally decided long before, whether they admit it or not.

I do have a few ballot measures to research, but that's it.

I like to see how they react to questions. Calm or eye rolls.

This election is really bumming me out because I don't care for Obama or Romney. I need to review their stances again and decide if I'm comfortable enough with either of them or come up with a Plan B. haha

[kpol]

Oct 2, 2012 20:57:23 GMT -5 crimewatcher said:

Oct 2, 2012 20:36:31 GMT -5 basilosaurus said:

I'm not saying FVAP doesn't work. I'm just thinking that maybe a downtick in requests can partially be explained by people requesting directly through the states, bypassing the national resource.

Like I said, I don't have to request anything, so my last experience with absentee was as a college student in 2000.

We have the option of email, fax, or mailing our ballot in. I think there's some online thing, as well, but I haven't looked into it. It's easy for me to fill out the ballot and drop in the mail, and that doesn't require doing the verification steps for the other ways to vote.

No way do I need to wait for the debates Those are purely going to be for entertainment purposes. Maybe a drinking game thrown in. Actually, I think the research show that debates have little impact on people's choice. It may affect turnout, but people are generally decided long before, whether they admit it or not.

I do have a few ballot measures to research, but that's it.

I like to see how they react to questions. Calm or eye rolls.

This election is really bumming me out because I don't care for Obama or Romney. I need to review their stances again and decide if I'm comfortable enough with either of them or come up with a Plan B. haha

Have you taken the isidewith.com quiz? It might help you figure some things out.

[crimewatcher]

Oct 2, 2012 20:36:58 GMT -5 kpol said:

Oct 2, 2012 20:34:15 GMT -5 Stan said:

That's what I did for H, and why I blame the registrar and not FVAP!

This is what I mean when the articles blame FVAP. Once they provide the forms for you to fill out, it's essentially out of their hands and falls on you, the voter. Some of the articles say that the site gave the wrong dates to register by but the DOD is saying it was corrected and there is still time.

Our base has been pushing it like crazy to get people registered. Their facebook page is all about it and A&FRC has been pushing it too.

[piper84]

This is totally off-topic (sorry)... but will I be able to bring my baby into the booth with me when I go to vote? This shouldn't be a problem, right?

(Sorry if this is a stupid question!)

[kpol]

Oct 2, 2012 21:16:11 GMT -5 @piper84 said:

This is totally off-topic (sorry)... but will I be able to bring my baby into the booth with me when I go to vote? This shouldn't be a problem, right?

(Sorry if this is a stupid question!)

You sure can! My cousin did this with her 2 year old son in the last election. He thought it was the coolest thing ever.

[piper84]

Oct 2, 2012 21:18:08 GMT -5 kpol said:

Oct 2, 2012 21:16:11 GMT -5 @piper84 said:

This is totally off-topic (sorry)... but will I be able to bring my baby into the booth with me when I go to vote? This shouldn't be a problem, right?

(Sorry if this is a stupid question!)

You sure can! My cousin did this with her 2 year old son in the last election. He thought it was the coolest thing ever.

Cool, thanks. I have all these first-time mom questions about random stuff that I've never thought of before. Maybe I will put the "I voted" sticker on his shirt

[kpol]

Oct 2, 2012 21:27:05 GMT -5 @piper84 said:

Oct 2, 2012 21:18:08 GMT -5 kpol said:

You sure can! My cousin did this with her 2 year old son in the last election. He thought it was the coolest thing ever.

Cool, thanks. I have all these first-time mom questions about random stuff that I've never thought of before. Maybe I will put the "I voted" sticker on his shirt

I think the sticker is why my two-year old cousin thought voting was so cool!

[Dory1988]

Oct 2, 2012 21:12:40 GMT -5 Stan said:

Take the ISideWith.com test Shan! It might help, you never know.

ETA: Or just ditto KPol. I had the response page open for like 15 minutes, lol.

I took it a lot because I'm seated firmly on the fence and I still can't settle on one or the other. I'm kind of at a loss.

[brandienee]

I was able to do mine completely online, and got my ballot in a few days. I am voting in Florida. I was surprised at how amazingly easy it was to get registered.

[Dumbledork]

I did the Illinois MOVE (Military and Overseas Voter Empowerment) thing. I registered online and they emailed me a ballot on Sep. 17th. I just need to print it, fill it out and mail it in. I should probably ask K if he's got his stuff figured out though.

[basilosaurus]

Oct 2, 2012 22:27:06 GMT -5 Dory1988 said:

Oct 2, 2012 21:12:40 GMT -5 Stan said:

Take the ISideWith.com test Shan! It might help, you never know.

ETA: Or just ditto KPol. I had the response page open for like 15 minutes, lol.

I took it a lot because I'm seated firmly on the fence and I still can't settle on one or the other. I'm kind of at a loss.

The lead singer of Creed is going to endorse Romney if that helps!

You say you took the quiz and still have no idea. What were your results?

[amaristella]

DH used FVAP for California. They emailed his ballot to him. It seemed weird and half the instruction sheet was missing but hey, it got to him in time!

[crimewatcher]

Oct 2, 2012 21:00:33 GMT -5 kpol said:

Oct 2, 2012 20:57:23 GMT -5 crimewatcher said:

I like to see how they react to questions. Calm or eye rolls.

This election is really bumming me out because I don't care for Obama or Romney. I need to review their stances again and decide if I'm comfortable enough with either of them or come up with a Plan B. haha

Have you taken the isidewith.com quiz? It might help you figure some things out.

I did take it. But it wouldn't hurt to take it again.

[iluvmytxrgr]

Oct 2, 2012 21:16:11 GMT -5 @piper84 said:

This is totally off-topic (sorry)... but will I be able to bring my baby into the booth with me when I go to vote? This shouldn't be a problem, right?

(Sorry if this is a stupid question!)

I take my children with me for every election. I think it is important to teach them about the process. I was scared to death of messing something up when I first voted. I don't want them to feel that way. I also want them to feel a sense of pride in voting and being a part of the process.
My oldest is 14. He is fascinated with elections. We were just having a talk about it the other day. He believes, in a perfect world, that we should go back to when the person with the most votes in a Presidential election would be President and the person with the next highest would be VP. He thinks there would be less fighting. He also is in favor of dumping the party system and the electoral college. It's interesting to talk to him about his opinions.

[audette]

I have no clue if DH used FVAP or not, but he is submitting his ballot today. I think via email, but fax and mail were also options.

It seemed like a pretty easy thing for him to do, although I was kinda freaked out when he started asking my opinion while filling out the ballot. I don't get a vote myself, so I'm not sure it's fair for me to influence DH's vote... Considering where DH is registered to vote, though, I'm not sure his individual vote will really make much of a difference, but I am glad to see him taking the time to actually vote this year. I don't think he's done so in previous elections.

[audette]

I did remind him where his vote is being counted when he started talking about who to vote for. But, I'm leery at going much beyond that. It is DH's vote, and we don't agree on every issue, nor on the relative importance of some issues. If I want to have a say in the elections here, I should naturalize.

[basilosaurus]

H and I sat down last night to go over our ballots together. I'll just hand over my feminist card now

We actually do agree pretty much on everything political. Plus he's the local guy (I registered in his HOR but haven't lived there myself), so he knows every name and can tell me about pretty much all candidates off the top of his head. Well, he can probably do that for most districts b/c he's freaky with his memory about that stuff. He flipped through CSPAN (his favorite channel, dork) last night and identified some random guy running for office in Texas.

[audette]

Oct 3, 2012 13:08:07 GMT -5 Stan said:

I guess we just talk about politics every time we talk, lol. It would be weird for us not to. We don't agree on everything either, but I think the debate helps both of us really focus on what is important to each of us and why.

Fair enough. We certainly discuss the issues a fair amount. But DH darn near asked me to tell him who to vote for, and that was a bit weird. If I were still voting in Canada, I wouldn't be inviting that level of influence at the point of filling out the ballot.

Eh, in reality, it's not a big deal one way or the other. I'm just glad he took the time to vote.