Idaho’s absentee ballots require 65 cents postage — for the second ounce. One concerned voter was worried that some people might overlook the need for the extra 20 cents, and a ballot returned because it didn’t have the proper postage could miss the Nov. 6 deadline and not be counted.
Not to worry, says Ada County Chief Deputy Clerk Phil McGrane.
“Ada County always makes arrangements with the Postal Service to pick up the additional cost if a ballot is returned with insufficient postage,” McGrane said. “We don't ever want ballots to be returned and have the timing issue you mentioned.”
Absentee ballots must be received by Idaho's 44 county clerks by 8 p.m. on Election Day, Nov. 6.
McGrane also addressed a question from the fretting voter who wondered why Mitt Romney’s name was listed first on her absentee ballot. Studies show that the first name listed gets a small bump.
That’s why ballot position is rotated. Said McGrane, “The names for all candidates are rotated between precincts. For this election absentee voters are receiving the exact same ballot they would receive at the polls. So different voters will see different names on top depending on what precinct they are in.”
Early voting in person begins Monday and continues through Nov. 2. In Ada County, you may vote at the County Elections Office, 400 N. Benjamin Lane in Boise. Early voting is available Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
In Canyon County, voting hours are 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 1102 E. Chicago St. in Caldwell.
Dan Popkey: 377-6438
