Truckers know that plans can go awry no matter how carefully they’re made. With the upcoming November election, absentee voting is the perfect solution to ensure you exercise your right to vote without any hiccups.
Fortunately, all states offer advance voting options that are especially convenient for professional drivers. Some states allow mail-in ballots, commonly known as absentee ballots. Others offer early voting in person at various locations leading up to Election Day. In fact, an increasing number of states even conduct elections entirely by mail. To find out more about your options, contact your local elections office or secretary of state’s office.
Absentee Voting
When it comes to absentee voting, 35 states offer “no-excuse” options, meaning you don’t have to provide a reason for wanting to cast an absentee ballot. Other states allow either permanent no-excuse absentee voting or limited circumstances for absentee voting.
To request an absentee ballot, reach out to a county clerk, county auditor, county registrar, county supervisor of elections, or the board of elections, depending on your state. Their contact information can easily be found online.
Early Voting
If you prefer early voting, keep in mind that all states except Alabama, Mississippi, and New Hampshire offer some form of early voting. This allows you to simply decide to vote early.
No-excuse early voting allows you to visit an election official’s office or other satellite voting locations in certain states to cast your ballot in person. The timeframes for early voting differ by state, with an average starting time of about three weeks before Election Day.
All-Mail Voting
Alternatively, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, Vermont, and Washington conduct their elections entirely by mail. These states mail a ballot to every registered voter prior to Election Day. Additionally, 16 states allow certain elections to be held by mail.
Permanent Absentee Ballots
Permanent absentee ballots are available in 22 states. Arizona, Maryland, Montana, New Jersey, and Virginia offer permanent absentee ballots to all voters. The remaining 17 states, including Alabama, Alaska, Connecticut, Delaware, Kansas, Louisiana, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, New York, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, West Virginia, and Wisconsin, provide permanent absentee ballots for at least a limited number of voters.
These advance voting options can help you ensure your voice is heard in the upcoming election. Don’t let unforeseen circumstances prevent you from exercising your right to vote as a trucker.
Source: Land Line
