Here's the Scoop On Absentee Ballots

by: huntsu

Tue Oct 14, 2008 at 02:34:36 PM EDT

As we've noted a few times on this site, there are going to be long lines and problems at the polls.  You can save yourself some hassle and reduce those lines for others by voting absentee prior to the election.

To vote absentee you must apply with the County Clerk in your County.  Here's a list.

You can apply by mail if you do so by October 28th.  I think that means the application has to arrive by the 28th, but I am not sure.  To be safe, send yours in today.  

Here's a PDF of the application and another one in Spanish.

Should you miss this deadline you can still get an absentee ballot if you show up in the County Clerk's Office before 3 p.m. on Monday November 3rd.  Again, here's a list of County Clerks in NJ.

You don't have to be absent to vote absentee.  In fact, you can vote absentee and then spend your day standing 100 feet away from your polling place waving Obama/Biden placards if you want.  

Voting absentee is simply a way to remove one person from the long lines, reducing the potential for problems and the likelihood that someone will decide the lines are too long and just go back to work without voting.