Thread by @saenzmom

Get to know your state laws on ABBM ballots:

🔹️ who may turn in a 'marked ballot'
🔹️ where the 'marked ballot' can be received
🔹️ how the the 'marked ballot' must be received

Each state is different
#DemCast #DemCastTX
ncsl.org/research/elect…

Alabama is a hard core voter supression state.

🔥 Ala. Code § 17-11-9

No one other than the absentee voter may return their own ballot by mail or hand delivery.

#ProtectOurVotes
#DemCast #DemCastAL

Alaska

Alaska Stat. § 15.20.081(a)

A friend, relative or associate may transfer the absentee ballot to the USPS or a private commercial delivery service for delivery to the division of elections.

#DemCast #DemCastAK

Alaska Stat. § 15.20.081(a)
For those unable to vote in person because of age, illness or disability, a personal representative may pick up, assist in marking and return an absentee ballot.

#ProtectOurVotes
#DemCast #DemCastAK

Arizona

Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 16-1005

A family member, household member or caregiver may return an absentee ballot on behalf of a voter.

#ProtectOurVotes
#DemCast #DemCastAZ

Arkansas

Ark. Code Ann. § 7-5-403

A designated bearer or authorized agent may obtain an absentee ballot on behalf of another voter and return it directly to the county clerk.

#ProtectOurVotes
#DemCast #DemCastAR

Arkansas

Ark. Code Ann. § 7-5-403
The designated bearer must show a photo ID to the county clerk and sign an oath both when obtaining and returning an absentee ballot.

#ProtectOurVotes
#DemCast #DemCastAR

California

Election Code §3017

A vote-by-mail voter who is unable to return the ballot may designate another person to return the ballot.

#DemCast #DemCastCA
#ProtectOurVotes

Colorado

Colo. Rev. Stat § 1-7.5-107

Any person of the elector's own choice or any duly authorized agent of the county clerk & recorder or designated election official may be designated to mail or deliver a mail ballot.

#ProtectOurVotes
#DemCast #DemCastCO

Connecticut

C.G.S.A. § 9-140b

An absentee ballot may be returned by a voter’s “designee,” which includes a person who is caring for the applicant because of the applicant's illness or physical disability,

#ProtectOurVotes
#DemCast #DemCastCT

Connecticut

C.G.S.A. § 9-140b
a licensed dr or a rn, practical nurse; a member of the applicant's family; or if no such person consents or available, then a police officer, registrar of voters, dvr or asst registrar of voters in the municipality in which the applicant resides.

Delaware

Del. Code Title 15 § 5507

Absentee voters must return ballots by USPS, or “causing it to be delivered” prior to the close of polls on Election Day. There's no provision for an agent or designee to return an absentee ballot on behalf of a voter. #DemCastDE

1/ District of Columbia

D.C. Mun. Regs. Tit. 3, § 722

A registered voter may apply for & return an emergency ballot through an authorized agent if the voter is unexpectedly unable..

#ProtectOurVotes
#DemCast #DemCastDC

2/ District of Columbia

D.C. Mun. Regs. Tit. 3, § 722
to be present at the polls due to an illness or accident or the voter is serving on a sequestered jury on Election Day.

#DemCast #ABBM
#VoteByMailEarly

1/ Florida

Fl. Stat. Rev. § 101.051
Any elector applying to cast a vote by mail ballot in the office of the supervisor, in any election, who requires assistance to vote by reason of blindness, disability,
#DemCast #DemCastFL
#VoteByMail2020

2/ Florida
Fl. Stat. Rev. § 101.051
or inability to read or write may request the assistance of some person of his or her own choice other than the elector's employer, an agent of the employer or an officer or agent of his or her union, in casting his or her vote-by-mail ballot.

1/ Georgia

Ga. Code Ann., § 21-2-385

An elector who is confined to a hospital on the day of the election, a family member or individual residing in the household of a disabled elector may personally deliver an absentee ballot on behalf of the disabled elector.
#DemCastGA

2/ Georgia

Ga. Code Ann., § 21-2-385
A physically disabled or illiterate elector may receive assistance from any elector who is qualified to vote in the same county or municipality, an attendant care provider or a family member.
#DemCast #VoteByMailEarly

1/ Hawaii
passed Act 136, SLH 2019, implementing elections by mail beginning with the 2020 Elections.

All properly registered voters will automatically receive a mail ballot packet approximately 18 days prior to the election. #DemCastHI

2/ Hawaii

Here is more information on Hawaii's new vote-by-mail law.

#DemCast #VoteByMailEarly
elections.hawaii.gov/frequently-ask…

1/ Idaho absentee ballot rules

Any registered Idaho voter may apply for an absentee ballot and vote by mail.

Once you receive your ballot.

Once you receive the ballot, carefully read & follow the instructions.

Sign & date where indicated.
#DemCast #DemCastID

2/ Idaho
Mail your voted ballot back to the address indicated on the return envelope.

Double-check the deadlines, be sure to cast your voted ballot on time to be sure it is counted.
#VoteByMailEarly #DemCastID
vote.org/absentee-ballo…

1/ Illinois

10 ILCS 5/19-6
10 ILCS 5/19-13

A person authorized by a voter may return an absentee ballot. If the ballot is from a physically incapacitated elector, an employee or person under the direction of the facility in which the voter is located may deliver to the ballot.

2/ Illinois

10 ILCS 5/19-6
10 ILCS 5/19-13

There is an authorization on the ballot envelope naming and authorizing another person to return the ballot.
#VoteByMailEarly
#VoteEarly #ProtectOurVotes
#DemCast #DemCastIL

Indiana 🗳

Ind. Code 3-11-10-1

A member of the voter's household or a person designated as the attorney for the voter. 📬

#DemCastIN #DemCast
#ProtectOurVotes #Focus14

Iowa

Iowa Code §53.17A voter may designate a person to deliver a completed absentee ballot.

#DemCast #DemCastIA
#Focus14 #VoteByMail

1/ Kansas

Kan. Stat. Ann. §25-1128

Upon written designation by the voter, a person other than the voter may return an absentee ballot. Any such person designated by the voter shall sign a statement...
#DemCast
#VoteByMail #DemCastKS

2/ Kansas 📬🗳

Kan. Stat. Ann. §25-1128
that such person has not exercised undue influence on the voting decisions of the voter and agrees to deliver the ballot as directed by the voter.

#AbsenteeVoting #DemCast

Kentucky

Ken. Rev. Stat. § 117.0863

Any person assisting another in voting by use of absentee ballot shall complete a voter assistance form.
#VoteByMailEarly
#DemCast #DemCastKY

#Louisiana

LSA-R.S. 18:1308
If delivered by other than the voter; a commercial courier, USPS, the registrar shall require the person making delivery sign a statement, prepped by the LASoS certifying he has authorization & consent of the voter to hand deliver the marked ballot.

Maine

21-A M.R.S.A §753-B

Absentee ballot return by a third person is permitted as long as the third person is not a candidate or a member of a candidate’s immediate family.

#VoteEarly #VoteByMail
#DemCast #DemCastME

1/ Maryland

MD Code, Election Law, § 9-307
A qualified applicant may designate a duly authorized agent to pick up and deliver an absentee ballot. An agent of the voter under this section: must be at least 18 years old;

#VoteEarly #AbsenteeVoting
#DemCast #DemCastMD

2/ Maryland

MD Code, Election Law, § 9-307
may not be a candidate on that ballot; shall be designated in a writing signed by the voter under penalty of perjury; & shall execute an affidavit under penalty of perjury that the ballot was delivered to the voter who submitted the it

3/ Maryland

MD Code, Election Law, § 9-307
marked and placed in an envelope by the voter, or with assistance as allowed by regulation, in the agent's presence; and returned to the local board by the agent.

#AbsenteeVoting #DemCastMD

Massachusetts

M.G.L.A. 54 § 92

A family member may deliver an absentee ballot on behalf of a voter.

#ProtectOurVotes
#DemCast #DemCastMA

Michigan

M.C.L.A. 168.764a

A member of the immediate family of the voter or a person residing in the voter’s household may deliver a ballot to the clerk for the voter.

#DemCastMI #AbsenteeVoting
#VoteEarly #VoteForDemocracy

Minnesota

Minn. Stat. Ann. § 203B.08

The voter may designate an agent to deliver in person the sealed absentee ballot return envelope to the county auditor or municipal clerk or to deposit the return envelope in the mail.
#VoteEarly #AbsenteeVoting
#DemCastMN

1/ Mississippi absentee ballot rules
May vote by absentee ballot in Mississippi if:
you will be away from your county on Election Day for any reason; are a student, teacher, or administrator at a school....
#DemCastMS #AbsenteeVoting

2/ whose studies or employment there necessitates your absence from your county on Election Day; or you are the spouse or dependent thereof;
you have a temporary or permanent physical disability that renders you unable to vote in person without substantial hardship;

3/ you're the parent, spouse, or dependent of a person with a temporary or permanent physical disability who's hospitalized outside of their county of residence or more than fifty (50) miles away, and you (the parent, spouse or dependent) will be with that person on Election Day;

4/ you are sixty-five (65) years of age or older;
you will be unable to vote in person because you are required to be at work on Election Day during the times at which the polls will be open;
you are a member, spouse, or dependent of the congressional delegation;

5/ you are a disabled war veteran (or spouse or dependant of such a person) in a hospital;
you are a member (or spouse or dependant of such a person) of the Merchant Marine or American Red Cross.
#DemCastMS
vote.org/absentee-ballo…

Missouri

V.A.M.S. 115.291
An absentee ballot may be returned in person by a relative of the voter who is within the second degree of consanguinity or affinity.
#AbsenteeVoting #VoteEarly #DemCastMO

Montana

Mont. Code Ann. §13-35-703
Individuals authorized to transmit ballots are election officials; USPS worker or other individual specifically authorized by law to transmit US mail; caregiver; family member; household member; or acquaintance.
#VoteByMailEarly #DemCastMT

Nebraska

Neb. Rev. St. § 32-943
An absentee voter may appoint an agent.
#AbsenteeVoting #SupportOurUSPS
it's Constitutional
#DemcastNE #VoteEarly

Nevada

Nev. Rev. Stat. §293.353It is unlawful for any person to return a mailing ballot other than the registered voter to whom the ballot was sent or, at the request of the voter, a member of the family of that voter. #DemCast #DemCastNV

New Hampshire

N.H. Rev. Stat. §657:17
A family member may return the ballot, must complete a form & present a government-issued photo ID or have his or her identity confirmed by the city or town clerk.
#AbsenteeVoting #DemCastNH

1/ New Jersey

N.J. Stat. Ann. §19:63-9, §19:63-16

An authorized messenger may return the ballot. The bearer certifies that he or she received a mail-in ballot directly from the voter, and no other person,
#AbsenteeVoting #DemCastNJ

2/New Jersey

N.J. Stat. Ann. §19:63-9, §19:63-16

and is authorized to deliver the ballot to the appropriate board of election or designee on behalf of the voter.

No person shall serve as an authorized messenger for more than 3 qualified voters in an election.

New Mexico
NM Stat. Ann. § 1-6-10.1
A voter, caregiver to the voter or member of voter's immediate family may deliver the voter's absentee ballot to the county clerk in person or by mail, provided the voter has subscribed the outer envelope of the absentee ballot. #DemCastNM

1/ New York
All Local Election Offices will accept mailed or hand-delivered forms. Your Local Election Official will also let you fax or email the application.
#DemCastNY #AbsenteeVoting
#DefendOurPostOffice #VoteByMail Vote

2/ NY
Voted ballots are due: Postmarked 1 day before Election Day and received 7 days after Election Day. Voted ballots can also be turned in by hand on election day.
vote.org/absentee-ballo…

North Carolina

N.C.G.S.A. § 163A-1298, § 163A-1310

A voter’s near relative or verifiable legal guardian may return an absentee ballot.

#DemCastNC #AbsenteeVoting
#DefendOurPostOffice

North Dakota

ND Cent Code § 16.1-07-08
An absentee voter may designate an agent. The agent may not, at that time, be a candidate for any office to be voted upon by the absent voter. The agent must provide a signed, written authorization from an applicant.#DemCastND

Ohio

R.C. § 3509.05
A family member of the absentee elector may deliver the ballot. #DemCastOH #AbsenteeVoting
Defend Our Post Office

1/ Oklahoma

26 Okl Stat. Ann. § 14-108, 108.1
The voter shall be required to mark the ballot in ink or other manner as prescribed by the Secretary of the State Election Board; seal the ballots in the plain opaque envelope;

#DemCastOK #AbsenteeVoting

2/ OK
fill out completely and sign the affidavit, such signature to be notarized at no charge by a notary public; seal the plain opaque envelope inside the envelope bearing the affidavit and return both envelopes, sealed inside the return envelope, by hand delivery,

3/ OK
United States mail or by a private mail service, provided such service has delivery documentation, to the county election board. No person who is a candidate for an office on the ballot or who is the chair or treasurer of the campaign of a candidate for office...

4/ OK
or who is related within the third degree of consanguinity or affinity to a candidate on the ballot may witness any absentee ballot affidavit. A voter's spouse is excepted from ballot harvesting laws and is permitted to return an absentee ballot on behalf of a voter.

1/ Oregon

Ore. Rev. Stat. §260.695, §254.470
A person may return a ballot on behalf of another voter.
🔥A person may not attempt to collect voted ballots w/i any bldg in which any state, local gov elections office's designated.....
#DemCastOR #absenteeballots

2/ Oregon

Ore. Rev. Stat. §260.695, §254.470
for the deposit of ballots is located, or w/i 100' measured radially from any entrance to the bldg. A person may not est a location to collect ballots voted by electors unless the person prominently displays at the location a

3/ Oregon

Ore. Rev. Stat. §260.695, §254.470
sign stating: “NOT AN OFFICIAL BALLOT DROP SITE”; and the sign is printed in all capital letters in bold 50-point type.

Rhode Island

Gen. Laws § 17-20-23
Registered RI voter may apply for an absentee ballot & vote by mail. All Local Election Offices will accept mailed & hand-delivered forms.
#DemCastRI #AbsenteeVoting

1/ South Carolina

S.C. Code §7-15-385

A voter may authorize another person to return the ballot in writing.
#DemCastSC #VoteEarly #absenteeballots

2/ South Carolina

SC Code §7-15-385
A candidate, member of a candidate's paid campaign staff, including Vols reimbursed for time expended on campaign, isn't permitted to serve as an authorized returnee for any voter unless the person is a member of the voter's immediate family.

South Dakota

SD Codified Laws §12-19-9, §12-19-2.2
An authorized messenger (AM) can transmit a ballot. If the AM is authorized for more than one voter, he must notify the person in charge of the election of all voters for whom he is a messenger. #DemCastSD

1/ Tennessee
If you registered to vote by mail, you must vote in person in the first TN election in which you vote. If you registered in person, you may vote absentee in your first election.

See next tweet there many stipulations for voting.
#DemCastTN #DefendOurPostOffice

See the link for list of reasons absentee voting is required to vote by mail in TN.

All Local Election Offices will accept mailed or hand-delivered forms. Your Local Election Official will also let you fax or email the application. #DemCastTN

vote.org/absentee-ballo…

1/ Texas

V.T.C.A., Election Code § 86.006
A marked ballot voted under this chapter must be returned to the early voting clerk in the official carrier envelope.

#DemCastTX #ProtectOurVotes
#Focus14 #DefendUSPS

2/Texas

V.T.C.A., Election Code § 86.006
The carrier envelope may be delivered in another envelope and must be transported and delivered only by mail; common or contract carrier; or in-person delivery by the voter who voted the ballot.

#DemCastTx 🔥Be an election worker!

3/Texas

V.T.C.A., Election Code § 86.006
A person possessing an envelope of another voter does not commit an offense if that person is related to the voter within the second degree by affinity or the third degree by consanguinity; .........

4/Texas

V.T.C.A., Election Code § 86.006
physically living in the same dwelling as the voter; a person who possesses a ballot or carrier envelope solely for the purpose of lawfully assisting a voter who was eligible for assistance; USPS employee; or a common or contract carrier.

5/ Texas

V.T.C.A., Election Code § 86.006
Carrier envelopes may not be at another location for subsequent delivery to the early voting clerk.

#DemCastTx
Texas needs poll workers, clerks, volunteer & poll watchers. Contact your local Dem Party or Elections Clerk.

6/Texas
V.T.C.A., Election Code § 86.006
A person commits an offense if the person knowingly possesses an official ballot or official carrier envelope with intent to defraud the voter or the election authority.

Utah
Absentee ballots will automatically be sent to all registered voters. If you need your ballot sent somewhere other than your usual address, contact your local election official at least 1 month before the election.
vote.org/absentee-ballo…
#DemCastUT

Vermont absentee ballot rules
Any registered Vermont voter may apply for an absentee ballot and vote by mail. & VT has a ballot tracker.
#DemCastVT #AbsenteeVoting
mvp.vermont.gov

Virginia

VA Code Ann. §24.2-705
A voter who becomes incapacitated just before Election Day may vote by emergency ballot & designate a representative to deliver the ballot & return the marked ballot. #DemCastVA

Washington

Absentee ballots will automatically be sent to all registered voters. If you need your ballot sent somewhere other than your usual address, request an absentee ballot.
#DemCastWA

1/ West Virginia

W. Va. Code, § 3-3-5
No person may hand-deliver more than two absentee ballots in any election and any person hand delivering an absentee ballot is required to certify that he or she has not examined or altered the ballot. #DemCastWV

2/West Virginia

W. Va. Code, § 3-3-5
Any person who makes a false certification violates the provisions of article nine of this chapter and is subject to those provisions. #VoteEarly
#AbsenteeVoting #DemCast #AllStatesVote

1/ Wisconsin
Any registered Wisconsin voter may apply for an absentee ballot & vote by mail. When voting by absentee ballot, you must submit a copy of a valid photo ID with your absentee ballot unless you.....
#DemCastWI #ProtectOurVotes

2/ Wisconsin
are exempt from this requirement by statute (typically, certain military and overseas voters) or may have an alternative process to verify your identity. A list of valid IDs is available below.
vote.org/absentee-ballo…
#DemCast

Wyoming

Any registered Wyoming voter may apply for an absentee ballot and vote by mail.

vote.org/absentee-ballo…
#DemCastWY

1/ Pennsylvania absentee ballot rules

Any registered Pennsylvania voter may apply for an absentee ballot and vote by mail.

You must provide your PA driver's license number or the last four digits of your Social Security number on your absentee ballot form.

#DemCastPA

2/ Pennsylvania

If you don't have either number, you'll need to include a photocopy of your ID. Check our Voter ID Laws page for a list of acceptable forms of ID.

#DemCastPA #AbsenteeVoting
vote.org/absentee-ballo…