Overdrive Magazine | Trucking Business News & Owner Operator Info
Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/723417
September 2016 | Overdrive | 45 P lanning to be home on a particular day weeks in advance can be a diffi cult or impossible task for owner- operators. Provisions for absentee voting, and early voting in states that off er it, make it unnecessary to worry about that commitment for the Nov. 8 presidential election. Websites such as Vote.org (formerly known as Long Distance Voter) and the U.S. Vote Foundation (USVoteFounda- tion.org) are a one-stop shop for register- ing to vote, checking your registration status, applying for an absentee ballot and learning about early voting. No states allow online voting. By clicking "State Voting Require- ments" on the U.S. Vote Foundation site, you can fi nd all eligibility require- ments and more. States require voters to be U.S. citizens and a resident of the state where they're registering, and most require a valid driver's license. Convicted felons cannot vote unless their voting rights have been restored by the state. Most states have an October deadline for registration. ABSENTEE VOTING In 20 states, an excuse is required to ap- ply for an absentee ballot, while 27 states plus Washington, D.C., off er no-excuse absentee voting. Absentee ballots are sent to the voter in the mail and returned either in person or by mail, fax or email, depending on the state. For voters in Colorado, Oregon and Washington, ballots are mailed automati- cally to all eligible voters with no request or application necessary. So if your home base is in any of these states, all you have to do is make sure your address is updated to receive a ballot. EARLY VOTING In 37 states and Washington, D.C., early voting laws allow voting at an election offi cial's offi ce or other satellite location prior to the general election. No excuse is required. Voting can begin as early as 45 days before the election or as late as the Friday before the election. Eighteen states and Washington, D.C., allow Saturday voting, and four states (Alaska, Illinois, Maryland and Ohio) allow Sunday voting. Five states (Califor- nia, Florida, Georgia, Massachusetts and Nevada) leave it up to county clerks to open on Sundays. you have to do is make sure your address Making plans for an early vote BY MATT COLE