How can I be sure my early vote in OK is actually counted? Early votes in any state? In GA??

[bobbieinok]

[Ferrets are Cool]

1. I have been wondering the SAME thing for many days now.

I do not think we have any concrete method of knowing for sure. It's sad and tragic that in America, all you can do it HOPE that your vote is counted when placed.

[fescuerescue]

2. The same way you can be sure a non-early voted is counted

You can't.

[Zing Zing Zingbah]

3. Talk to the people that run the elections in your area.

Facebook group for my city already had this discussion. Several people that have volunteered to count ballots said that they spent many hours counting the early absentee votes.

[Hoyt]

4. First off, vote. Then, you depend on state Poll Watchers, ACLU, Democratic organizations, etc.

It ain't perfect, but it's not totally unregulated either.


In my state, this is the law regarding Poll Watchers --

In a primary or run-off primary, each candidate entitled to have his or her name placed on the primary or run-off primary ballot may submit the name of one poll watcher for each precinct in which he or she wishes to have an observer to the chairperson or secretary of the appropriate party executive committee at least 21 days prior to such primary or 14 days prior to such run-off primary. The appropriate party executive committee shall designate at least seven days prior to such
primary or run-off primary no more than two poll watchers for each precinct, such poll watchers to be selected by the committee from the list submitted by party candidates.

In an election or run-off election, each political party and political body shall each be entitled to designate, at least seven days prior to such election or run-off election, no more than two official poll watchers in each precinct to be selected
by the appropriate party or body executive committee. Each independent candidate shall be entitled to designate one poll watcher in each precinct. In addition, candidates running in a nonpartisan election shall be entitled to designate one poll watcher in each precinct. In an election or run-off election, each political party and political body, which body is registered pursuant to Code Section 21-2-110 and has nominated a candidate for state-wide office, shall additionally be entitled to designate, at least 14 days prior to such election or run-off election, no more than 25 official state-wide poll watchers to be selected by the appropriate party or body executive committee. Each independent candidate shall also be entitled to
designate no more than 25 official state-wide poll watchers. In addition, candidates running in a state-wide nonpartisan election shall be entitled to designate no more than 25 official state-wide poll watchers.

(Ga. Code Ann. § 21-2-408).

[Wounded Bear]

5. My ballot had a tracking number on it...

I can log on and check it any time. I mailed it early in the week.

You should start a movement in your state for that.

Update: apparently, my ballot has been counted.

[MarvinGardens]

6. I think it's impossible to know 100% as long as we have a secret ballot.

But still, everyone please vote because odds are rhat your vote will count!

An alternative system would be to eliminate the secret ballot and have everyone's vote be a matter of public record, as it is for legislators. Then everyone could be confident their vote was counted. But I expect most folks would not support this change.