Not that regular ballots are much better, mind you. I've voted as many times as physically possible (I'm 19, so after today, I believe four times? Heck yes I got an interim election in there. I can feel your jealousy.) And every time I stick my ballot into that machine that looks suspiciously like a shredder, I hope I've done everything right. But this time, the most important election for me ever because I get to vote for my beloved Obama, I happen to be in another state.
Someone needs to reform the absentee ballot. Just throwing this idea out there, how about making every vote count so I could vote in any state? Crazy talk, I know. Making me have to sacrifice my first born in order to get a ballot makes much more sense.
First, there's the waiting. I sent out a request in early October, I got my ballot early this morning. I got it yesterday, apparently, but that didn't make sense to me because yesterday was Columbus day and according to my mother the postal carrier mail does not come that day. Yet I got my mail yesterday. So either my mother is a liar or my college has terrible mail services. I tend to assume the latter.
My friend in New York, as of yesterday, still hasn't gotten her ballot. Her mom called some people and apparently the ballot was sent on the second. Plus, you don't just have to wait for your ballot, you have to send out a request. I was an eager beaver and asked to be sent a request, grew impatient and just downloaded it off the internet. Luckily Go Vote Absentee helped me figure out how to send the form out. I wish they had a box labeled "COLLEGE STUDENT" on those boxes, honestly, I assumed I should check the first one, but its so vague.
Then the ballot was delivered. WHO THE FUCK ARE THE REST OF THESE PEOPLE? I literally only recognize the presidential candidates, the candidates for Governor and my Congressman (and just him, not his opposition). Googling yields pretty much nothing on anyone, except it does decode the crazy public question. How the hell do none of these people have anything on the Internet? At all? After fretting, and fretting, and fretting, I just mark straight Democratic ticket. I could've done that ages ago, but instead I have waited until 2:50 pm, the last mail pick up of the day is at 3pm.
After dashing to drop off my ballot, having no idea whether or not the last pickup has come or not (and satisfied with my ignorant bliss) I walk back to my dorm casually. Then, I re-read the instructions that came with my ballot. I am still freaking out about this straight ticket, I've never done it before, at least not the short way. I literally call up the Election board and make sure I voted for the president. If I didn't, I think I'd be crying right now. Turns out I did, according to the poor guy who had to answer my stupid question.
So I did it. I have voted in the swing state of Indiana. So now if you'll excuse me, I must go pass out.