I'm Not Logical But I Vote Anyway

I sign things all the time. I sign checks that are [usually too large and] handed over to service people who come to my home, like that A/C repairman. I sign credit card slips at restaurants. I sign in and out of various places where I have a membership. I sign faxes that end up on recipient fax machines in medical offices, ticket box offices, public relations firms and order desks. So why does it bug me that when I mail my early ballot for the primary election, my signature is on the outside of the envelope? It isn't logical, I understand. It just seems that in these days of ID theft gone amok the government should know better.

The voter's signature must appear on the outside of the ballot so that it can be verified as belonging to that voter without opening the envelope. Then, assuming the signature is verified and that voter is otherwise eligible to cast a ballot, it is sent on to the next step in the process.

If you requested an Early Voting ballot you should have received it by now. I am signed up for Permanent Early Voting. Although I get a strange satisfaction from going to a voting location to cast a ballot, I get no pleasure from waiting for a parking spot and standing on long lines. I also have had the experience of being called away on business unexpectedly and not having the opportunity to vote. Early Voting gives you time to look over the ballot. Complete instructions (even an 'I Voted Early' sticker) are included.

So back to my gripe about that signature. If I don't want to cast my ballot the easy way -- sign the thing and throw it in the mailbox -- then I have two options. I can hand deliver it, either in advance or on election day, or I can put it in another envelope and pay the postage for my signature not to show on the outside.

The deadline to register to vote in the Primary has passed. Registered voters can request an early ballot through August 22, 2008 for the Primary Election in Maricopa County. Both the Democratic and Republican parties have at least one contested race in this Primary. As far as the General Election is concerned, if you haven't registered to vote yet you still have plenty of time. That deadline is October 2, 2008. Why not register to vote today? If you have a valid driver license you can do it online, and it takes only a few minutes.

You Might Also Be Interested In....

• Requirements for Voter ID in Arizona
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