Mail-in ballots 101, your VOTE is your power…

I don’t usually dip into politics here, but I know many of you are using mail-in ballots for the first time this election and I wanted to share just how pleasant and effective this format of voting can be. We’ve all heard reports of people missing some of the required steps and therefore worrying that their vote won’t be counted. These reports may make the thought of voting at home intimidating, but it’s really simple to do it right and I will show you how. Your vote is your power, so I hope you will take time to use this power to make the world a better place.

Washington state closed down their polling booths and implemented mandatory mail~in ballots in 2011. But it was an option {which I used} for years before as they were testing the process. Oregon was the first state to have mandatory mail~in ballots back in 1998 and Colorado followed in 2013. Aside from the cute striped curtains, I don’t miss those booths at all, the drive in the rain, the lines, struggling to find my notes on how to mark my ballot, etc.

I much prefer voting in the comfort of my kitchen, taking my time to contemplate and discuss issues as needed. Here is my typical routine: after having a little breakfast I like to sit down with a cup of coffee, my ballot, voter’s pamphlet and ipad.

The key thing, especially this year is to vote EARLY, like now.

If you make a mistake or change your mind about one of your choices you can indicate this change by drawing a line through the oval and the choice and filling in the oval you prefer. While write-in candidates are an option, and I’ve certainly thought about it when I don’t like my options, this just slows down the counting process. If you don’t like your options or just don’t know how to vote you can leave the ovals blank.

While the federal election is of peak importance this year, there are many critical decision to be made on state and local levels as well. So, in addition to the information in the voter’s pamphlet, I go on-line to get recommendations from my local papers and broadcasting companies that I trust. Here are some links to reccomendations from around the country, if you don’t see one for your area just search for your local paper’s endorsements.

Seattle: Seattle Times Editorial board recommendations, The Stranger

Los Angeles: LA Times endorsements

New York: New York Times recommendations

Palm Beach: Palm Beach Post November election recommendations

Also, for Seattle voters, click on KING Broadcasting for in-depth information on the candidates and issues.

I like to go through the ballot and vote for the candidates and issues that I know and care most about first, then go back in to research those with which I am less familiar.

Once you complete your choices tear this strip off of the top of the ballot, this has the information you need to track your ballot and make sure that your vote gets counted.

Next, slip your ballot into the privacy envelope. A part of the ballot will be sticking out.

Minding the “This end up” band, slip the sleeve into the return envelope. Seal the envelope, then flip it over to sign and date your envelope. Don’t get fancy with your signature. They actually verify the signatures and I have friends who have been called because their signature looked different on their ballots.

Be sure to add your email or a phone number so they can contact you if there is any issue with your ballot.

Next, get your ballot on it’s way. You can mail it in, no postage necessary, but that will take a few days. I chose to bring mine to a nearby official ballot box. Your voter’s pamphlet should have details on where you can find your closest ballot box. In King County you can also share a #votingselfie @kcelections {I’d love to see your selfies too @splendid7 on IG}.