Election Watch 2006
Absentee and Early Voting
The right to vote is perhaps the most valued right of every American citizen. In the past, work schedules, inclement weather, long lines, and our otherwise hectic lives have made it difficult for many to exercise that right during the limited hours polls are open on Election Day. Fortunately, what was once just a small trend of absentee and early voting has now caught on, and there are fewer excuses than ever for making sure ones’ vote is cast and voice is heard.
In recent years, 40 of the 50 states have enacted legislation allowing some form of early voting. Thirty states allow “unconditional” early voting with no absentee requirement whatsoever. Another ten states allow anyone who expects to be unable to vote on Election Day to vote early. To see the deadlines for early and absentee voting in your state, click on the following link to view election schedules for all the states.
More and more people are taking advantage of early voting, along with the ease and convenience it offers. According to HelpingAmericansVote.org, more than 1.2 million California voters have opted into permanent mail-only voting, and over one in four voters (2.7 million) now vote early. As much as 40% of the presidential votes in Tennessee were cast early. Iowans can vote as early as 40 days before the election, and Wisconsin allows voters to cast ballots in person at over 1800 polling places one month before Election Day. Oregon, perhaps the most advanced in early voting, has done away with polling stations altogether: all voting is now done by mail only.
At CUNA, we want to help credit union members take advantage of these new, easy methods of voting. For the second election cycle, CUNA has partnered with HelpingAmericansVote.org to develop an easy-to-use website at http://creditunions.helpingamericansvote.org/home8670.asp. The website allows any credit union member to easily register to vote and request an absentee or early ballot from their state. It is as simple as selecting your state from the drop down menu and following the instructions.
Voting is too important not to participate. And with the ease of early voting today, there is no excuse not to do so!
