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> For postal votes it appears you're not anonymous anyway The vote-by-mail ballots we have in Oregon come with two envelopes: An envelope printed with your nam
by evan_ 10y ago
> For postal votes it appears you're not anonymous anyway
The vote-by-mail ballots we have in Oregon come with two envelopes: An envelope printed with your name and address; and a slightly smaller envelope with no identifying markings. You put your completed ballot in the "secret" envelope and you put that envelope in the larger envelope.
Assuming everything goes correctly, the name and signature on the outer envelope is verified against the voter role. If it's a valid vote, the envelope is opened and the ballot envelope is placed in a secure place. Later, on election day, the ballot envelopes are opened and the ballots are read electronically.
There's a risk that the vote-counter may open both envelopes but it doesn't seem like there's a bigger risk with that than there is with other voting methods.
There is a bigger potential risk of intimidation- e.g. a company saying to its employees "bring us your ballot so we can verify that you voted correctly". I don't know how you solve that.
- mikeash 10y agoIntimidation could be avoided by allowing a voter to send in a ballot multiple times, with only the last one counted, or allow them to void their mail-in vote by visiting in person on election day.
- JoshTriplett 10y ago> There is a bigger potential risk of intimidation- e.g. a company saying to its employees "bring us your ballot so we can verify that you voted correctly". I don't know how you solve that. Ask anyone who receives such intimidation to report it to their state/federal election commission for prosecution. Voter intimidation is a federal felony, and typically against state law as well.
- evan_ 10y agoabsolutely, I've never actually heard of it happening, I'm just saying it's a possibility. I would hope the fact that it's really illegal would prevent it.
- chrisBob 10y agoI wouldn't worry about employers but I could see this being a major issue for spouses.
- deleted 10y ago[deleted]