I'm a bit sorry I voted before I was able to hear a debate on one of our ballot questions, but I'd rather 1) get it done before any unanticipated emergencies and 2) make a statement that I really care about this election even though no one nationally cares about my vote. (I'm in Massachusetts. The only time national activists cared about my vote since I've lived here was the Elizabeth Warren - Scott Brown election. People called from out of state! I got a hand-written postcard!)
Unfortunately, 2020 left me unsure that a mailed ballot would be counted. My wife (worried by Covid) mailed hers, but Trump and his accomplices insisted that her ballot - and all other mailed ballots - should be discarded, and those people still have influence. So, day-of voting still seems the only way to guarantee that my vote is recorded. (We have a big Kamala banner on the house, so the door knockers have apparently decided to pass us anyway.)
You will get confirmation that your vote was received and recorded, Mark. If you are concerned about the postal service delivering the ballot, you can drop it off at a drop box (and you will still receive confirmation when it was recorded). Canvassers may pass you by but the campaign will still expend resources contacting you because you will remain on their list.
I’m not concerned about the post office. I’m concerned that mail ballots go into a discrete heap that is not counted until Election Day, and are therefore separate from in-person ballots and subject to challenge for some bogus reason. Trump & Co. did this in 2020.
You're right that in PA the early ballots cannot be counted until Election Day, but the challenge from Trump was that they *shouldn't* be counted because they were illegitimate. This didn't go anywhere. They were counted, and Biden won the state.
Yes, exactly. Which is why I want my vote in a less vulnerable position. Because those people are relentless. If the GOP somehow recovers its respect for democratic processes and the sanctity of the ballot, I may then vote by mail. Like you, though, I do enjoy going to the polls.
Matt: What is your suggested response to the MAGApies and even to Democrats who say that you are just over-dramatic and that America survived Trump and will do so again? I’m hearing that from many quarters.
Good question, Lawrence. Don't spend your time trying to convince MAGA voters to change their minds. Make a different case other than the preservation of democracy to persuadable Democrats--there are many arguments for Harris. And vote early.
I'm a bit sorry I voted before I was able to hear a debate on one of our ballot questions, but I'd rather 1) get it done before any unanticipated emergencies and 2) make a statement that I really care about this election even though no one nationally cares about my vote. (I'm in Massachusetts. The only time national activists cared about my vote since I've lived here was the Elizabeth Warren - Scott Brown election. People called from out of state! I got a hand-written postcard!)
Unfortunately, 2020 left me unsure that a mailed ballot would be counted. My wife (worried by Covid) mailed hers, but Trump and his accomplices insisted that her ballot - and all other mailed ballots - should be discarded, and those people still have influence. So, day-of voting still seems the only way to guarantee that my vote is recorded. (We have a big Kamala banner on the house, so the door knockers have apparently decided to pass us anyway.)
You will get confirmation that your vote was received and recorded, Mark. If you are concerned about the postal service delivering the ballot, you can drop it off at a drop box (and you will still receive confirmation when it was recorded). Canvassers may pass you by but the campaign will still expend resources contacting you because you will remain on their list.
I’m not concerned about the post office. I’m concerned that mail ballots go into a discrete heap that is not counted until Election Day, and are therefore separate from in-person ballots and subject to challenge for some bogus reason. Trump & Co. did this in 2020.
You're right that in PA the early ballots cannot be counted until Election Day, but the challenge from Trump was that they *shouldn't* be counted because they were illegitimate. This didn't go anywhere. They were counted, and Biden won the state.
Yes, exactly. Which is why I want my vote in a less vulnerable position. Because those people are relentless. If the GOP somehow recovers its respect for democratic processes and the sanctity of the ballot, I may then vote by mail. Like you, though, I do enjoy going to the polls.
Matt: What is your suggested response to the MAGApies and even to Democrats who say that you are just over-dramatic and that America survived Trump and will do so again? I’m hearing that from many quarters.
Good question, Lawrence. Don't spend your time trying to convince MAGA voters to change their minds. Make a different case other than the preservation of democracy to persuadable Democrats--there are many arguments for Harris. And vote early.
Tell Republicans that the election is in the bag for Trump and that you're not going to even bother voting!