I got a note from my township clerk saying, essentially, "We got your request for an absentee ballot. However, since you registered to vote by mail, you have to show up in person to cast your vote."
Doesn't this seem like a strange idea? I'm sure I'm not the only person who has been living overseas, who has registered from overseas, and who doesn't plan on going back to the United States just to cast a vote.
I'm a little upset because I would really like to vote in this election. My state is currently on "Barely Kerry" according to this map, and I need to tip those scales a bit further in the right direction.
The pressure's really on now, and I'm getting pretty nervous. The election is just a few weeks away.
I called my clerk to figure out what to do. You know what their answer was? Send an email. I was like, "But, um... I'm on the phone right now. Couldn't we just...?"
I felt like I was dealing with French administration or something. It just figures that once my paperwork problems start easing up on the French side, they go haywire on the American end.
***Update:***
FUCK! I just received this email:
Thats horrible!!! That is one of the dumbest laws. A LOT of people register by mail. This is the very reason why so many people do not vote.
That's ridiculous! It's like "If I was able to vote in person, would I really be registering by mail?!"
Yeah! I know! I'm pissed! Thanks for your sympathy...
I ran across your site yesterday through blog explosion. I'm guessing you're from Michigan. I don't know how helpful this is but:
"�First-time voter. If you have never voted in Michigan and register by mail, you must appear in person to vote in the first election in which you wish to participate. This requirement does not apply if (1) you personally hand delivers the mail registration form to your county, city or township clerk�s office instead of mailing the form (2) you are 60 years of age or more (3) you are disabled or (4) you are eligible to vote under the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act.�
You can find a little more info here
Cyndy- Yeah, I just saw that clause and wrote back to them again... they said that it's too late for this election. What's up with this? And how did you know I was from Michigan? Just by the murky things going on? Very odd. I'm taking this situation to the US Embassy on Monday (in Paris) and then I might contact Ann Arbor area newspapers and what not, just to see what the deal is. Thanks for your help. I'll keep everyone updated.
'Barely kerry' on the map you linked to and 'township' tipped me off along with the screwy regulation that I had vaguely heard about .
Best of luck! I would think the embassy should be able to do *something*.