Big Sky Cairn

Because I will be out of town next week, I arranged to vote by absentee ballot.  Something that more and more Montanans are doing.  But after I filled out my ballot and repackaged it inside it’s super secret container, I noticed something that made me a little ticked off.

To vote in Silver Bow County was going to cost me $1.41 in postage.  Why?  Because the powers that be in the SBC elections office decided to use a return envelope that is 12 in. by 16 in. The darn thing is so large that I could use it as a welcome mat or a baby blanket.

As I affixed the postage to the American flag sized envelope, I began to wonder, “What happens when voters don’t realize they need to add postage?  Or when they don’t add enough postage?”

At least in Great Falls, the county picks up the tab in the interest of democracy.

According to the Tribune, almost one-third of all Cascade County’s primary ballots are arriving sans proper postage.  Most are arriving with one stamp, but do to the weight of the envelope it takes two to cover the fee.  This gap in price is costing the county $100 per day.

But when the alternative is disenfranchising voters, what else can they do but pay the postage?

Given the growing popularity of absentee balloting with college students, senior citizens and workaholics like myself, this trend is likely to cost the counties (read: the taxpayers) a pretty penny.  Especially when you consider that the general election ballot is even larger than the primary ballot.

So, if you too are voting by absentee, make sure to affix enough postage.  Two stamps for a normal sized envelope, and four stamps (ah!) for the flying carpet sized ones Butte is using.

I guess it’s true what they say, democracy isn’t free.

Yep, it’s the same here in Mizzou. The election clerks really, really want mail-in voting. It’s a lot less hassle for them. I did a half a shift (8 hrs) as a pollworker for the school election and I could kinda see their point.

Solution, since you are a Republican: Have your local committee pay your postage. If they don’t have the money, spend it anyway. That’s the Republican way.