For all those opposed to "Vote By Mail" why do Republicans support

[Bandit]

absentee voting so strongly? Why does Oregon have the largest turnout of any state and last election went Democratic? I think our largest problem is lack of voters. If we could make it easy enough we could gain hundreds of thousands if not millions of voters. It is just so convenient and simple to vote from your kitchen table with plenty of opportunity to discuss the issues and people on the ballot and make an informed decision as to how and for whom to vote. No parking problems or police roadblocks or harassment at the polls. Oregon has proved it can be done successfully and we should really consider this issue. Republicans know that and have been stressing absentee voting for years. That is one reason they have made such gains IMHO.

[bahrbearian]

1. I just voted last night for the Sept 14th primary, put in the mail today.

It's so simple.

[Bandit]

4. Do you live in Oregon?

If so maybe you could give us a run down of how long you have to vote and what safeguards there are in place.

[bahrbearian]

5. No Washington, My Republican Mom got me into absentee

voting 15 years ago.

[Ducks In A Row]

10. about 3 weeks to vote

I like to drop it at the courthouse myself. right in the elections office.

[Pastiche423]

14. I live in Oregon

and love voting by mail/drop off.

About 18 days prior to an election, we receive a Voter's Pamphlet in the mail. Two weeks before an election, we receive our paper ballots in the mail.

Once you have completed your arrow ( <---- ----) to your choice of candidate or proposal, you place your paper ballot in a secrecy envelop, sign it, then place that in an outer envelop. The paper ballots are counted by optical scan.

Btw, your signature on the secrecy envelop must match your signature on your voter registration form.

They are easy to re-count/and or audit.

[DebJ]

2. I just don't trust it. Better than NOT voting, but I just

can't do that. I take off Election Day and the day after for Presidential elections. If I were in a hospital, I think I'd try to get them to roll my bed there! I'm afraid some Republican will toss out my vote, and who's to know? Especially in my voting district!

[Bozita]

3. absentee ballots can be recounted -- not true of BBV

[Elginoid]

6. for one thing- it's easier for the "man" of the house to get TWO votes

you can't go trustin' them womenfolk with a secret ballot...things has gone to hell-in-a-handbasket since they give'em the 'right' to vote in the first place.
womens just ain't got the head for politicsial thinkin'...they should just stick to making pies, babies, and their men happy.

[Bandit]

9. Yours is the first argument I have heard that gives me pause.

I had not thought of that aspect and it is a very good point, although I think it would be a very small minority of women that would let their "men" rule them so drastically.

[K-W]

12. I think you understimate the number of men who feel it is thier place

to dictate thier families beliefs. With voting at booths, the woman can vote for whomever she wants, if the ballot is sitting in the home, the husband can see it.

There is a reason we have a secret ballot, and taking the ballot out of a controlled situation is dangerous.

[Ducks In A Row]

11. but what a great way to get rid of a husband!

officer, he's forcing me to vote his way. get that bastard into jail for tampering with vote. a federal crime right? take him to gitmo!

[shance]

7. The problem lies in the outcome of your vote being properly counted.

It's an option, but the reality is, you don't get to see your ballot go into the little box.

Which poses the question, who in fact does count the votes?

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

8. We've had it for years in Washington - love it.

I haven't heard of repugs supporting it. It seems much more democratic to me. Lots of poor folks have to rely on public transportation to vote. Just sent in my primary ballot yesterday - no hassle, no lines, no parking problems.

[K-W]

13. It wont fix the problem, people who are motivated to vote, vote.

People who arent wont be suddenly motivated because they can do it by mail. Yes there would be an increase, but it wouldnt fix the overall problem which is that many americans dont see the point of participating in elections.

[Lydia Leftcoast]

15. From what I understand as a former Oregon resident

a few years ago, the Republicans started automatically signing up all registered Republicans for absentee ballots. I learned this because some elderly members of my church who had been Republicans in the Mark Hatfield/Tom McCall/etc. days (but had since repented), had never bothered to change their registrations and were surprised to start getting absentee ballots in the mail every election.

The Secretary of State at the time, a Dem named Phil Kiesling, became the most outspoken advocate of having everybody vote by mail.

In Portland, at least, there were always dropoff booths for people who didn't mail their ballots soon enough, and you could even take your ballot down to the elections office in person. Since I was downtown frequently, I always took my ballot to the dropoff booth in Pioneer Courthouse Square.

In 2002, my GOTV activity was phoning registered Dems and asking them if they had voted yet, reminding them that the deadline was 8PM (not midnight like income tax forms, as some of them mistakenly thought), and telling them where their nearest dropoff point was.

[Arugula Latte]

16. As I recall,

Republicans in this state (Oregon) were originally pro-vote-by-mail because they thought it would favor them. Then, surprise, surprise! It helps the Democrats. Ha ha ha.

[marlakay]

17. Do you think they are sending them out so..

they can throw the dem ones away? I hear they have been calling and sending them all over. I wouldn't put it past them to throw away anything that doesn't say repub on it.

[JCRobinhood]

18. No way

No offense, but except for folks who truly can't make it to the poll - no absentee ballotts. For folks too freakin' lazy to do the absolute slightest thing to keep this a democracy, then screw 'em. I'm sorry, but I just have zero tolerance for people who just can't be bothered to vote.

[oasis]

19. Farenheit 9/11is on its way to the home viewing crowd. The GOP needs to

step up their absentee voter drive or risk having "My Pet Goat" eat away at some of their softer support.

[Toots]

20. Well I definitely think it is the future and we better guide it

I have discovered to my dismay that you can't stop "progress" but you can guide it in the direction you desire. I think vote by mail is going to be a reality within a decade. What are the main drawbacks so we can address them as this goes along. I like most aspects of it but have my concerns as well. Oregon does seem to be doing fine with it, so I'm optimistic.

[Avis]

21. Bush just called me!

It was so nice of him to take time out of the convention to call me and inform me he would be sending me instructions on voting by absentee ballot! I can't imagine why he called - but maybe he is targeting rural MN?