It's the law
The ballots in Oregon's vote-by-mail election are scheduled to be mailed out starting tomorrow. As citizens prepare to open them and cast their votes, it's a good time for everyone to review our state's election laws. One important rule, sometimes overlooked, is this: When completing a ballot for a deceased relative or roommate, you are required to vote the same way that person would have voted if he or she were still alive. And sign their full legal name on the outside envelope. Thank you.
| Posted at 7:47 AM | Permalink |
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Comments (17)
Can I use an "X"?
Posted by Langston | October 18, 2012 8:54 AM
Jack, are the expenses incurred in holding a seance to find out how the deceased wanted to vote tax deductible?
Posted by Old Zeb | October 18, 2012 9:00 AM
The rule does not apply to a parent filling out a ballot for a child attending college out-of-state. ORS 216.030(2)(c).
Posted by Garage Wine | October 18, 2012 9:05 AM
If I own property in Oregon and used to live here, but I've declared on my Oregon tax returns that I don't reside here, can I still vote here? If not, and I vote anyway, can I run for office here? Will I ever have to pay those taxes I dodged?
Posted by Jonathan Radmacher | October 18, 2012 9:11 AM
Radmacher, there's a pile of laws, but they aren't enforced.
That's why we just keep piling on more laws to the pile, it makes us feel good, and we don't have to worry about the consequences.
Posted by lw | October 18, 2012 9:46 AM
It makes me so mad I want to "tag" someone. Preferably someone small.
Posted by Jack Bog | October 18, 2012 10:06 AM
LAWS?
You mean we actually HAVE ELECTION laws? I thought the rules were just arbitrary and inconsistently capricious.
Posted by ltjd | October 18, 2012 10:55 AM
Only when administered / enforced by Kate Brown.
Posted by Nonny Mouse | October 18, 2012 11:35 AM
Laws?
They are only for you little people!
No,Iam not talking stature.
If only we had a Secretary of State or an Atty. General in this State.
Posted by BoBo | October 18, 2012 11:57 AM
Is there a limit to how many elections cycles that my deceased father can vote in?
Posted by John D | October 18, 2012 12:09 PM
When completing a ballot for a deceased relative or roommate, you are required to vote the same way that person would have voted if he or she were still alive.
And furthermore don't do what this guy did - not only did a lot of deceased voters support him, they managed to line up at the polls in alphabetical order!
Posted by John Rettig | October 18, 2012 12:21 PM
If only we had a Secretary of State or an Atty. General in this State.
Do we even still have a State, or has it gone "Vichy" on us?
Posted by Mr. Grumpy | October 18, 2012 12:59 PM
Spirits of the deceased gone to the Beyond can be heard speaking their intended votes when one listens by pressing one (right or left) ear pressed moistly against the TV tube (turned off!) of old-time analog television receivers. That requirement is a Law of Supernature. Enforceable by self-appointed Peace Officers.
Posted by Tenskwatawa | October 18, 2012 1:19 PM
luckily ain't no edit-happy grammar cops here
Posted by Tenskwatawa | October 18, 2012 1:20 PM
I don't get all of the hubbub and mail-bashing. I can't wait to vote by mail for the first time! No having to go somewhere and wait in line with the masses, and I actually get time to think when all of these all these ballot questions are in front of me before making my choice.
Posted by BallaBo | October 18, 2012 6:33 PM
I agree BallaBo. Sure it's more ripe for abuse than in person voting, but I don't care. The votes are far more thoughtful this way.
Should anyone show me a systematic abuse that actually mattered I'd be all ears, but for now I'm very happy with the way we do it.
As an anecdote, a friend of mine voted and signed her work signature out of habit. She had registered with her other signature. The one that's readable, the one she signs on birthday cards and what not. Her vote wasn't counted.
-JO
Posted by Jo | October 19, 2012 12:52 AM
No having to go somewhere and wait in line with the masses, and I actually get time to think when all of these all these ballot questions are in front of me before making my choice.
A person can still take the time to think and take one's answers with one to the polls.
I think a Voter's Day could be a special day to go to polls, well staffed not a long wait, but the engagement of participating in democracy and that we have a day (holiday)
to either think about that or for those who don't care, at least know that a special day exists.
Then I would go back to a hand count, the software machines are problematic.
I also think that the ballots sent out weeks ahead favors incumbents and hurts the campaign process.
Posted by clinamen | October 20, 2012 12:01 AM