It Takes TWO
Sally Brown Kiefer got a jump on early voting the other day after she received her heavier-than-usual mail-in ballot for the November 5th elections. Here’s how she described what happened:
“I just took my completed ballot to the post office on St. Augustine Beach and it required more than one Forever stamp. The postal clerk weighed it and it was 28 cents more. The postal clerk was surprised, said the envelope should state 2 stamps required, and thought/hoped that ballots would not be held up. I then called Vicki Oates office at the Supervisor of Elections and the clerk confirmed that it would take 2 stamps. I told her what had occurred and that there is no mention of this in the instructions or envelope that I could find. The clerk said it was probably due to a 2 page ballot and she would pass it on. This could be a significant issue and wanted to alert you if you weren’t already aware.”
This morning, the Supervisor of Elections website began greeting visitors with a new reminder to PUT TWO Forever Stamps on the envelope when returning their completed mail-in ballots. Aside from some mentions on local radio, there are no other advisories.
Good news for those who’ve already sent their ballots in with ONE stamp, the Elections Office assured us they will NOT be returned to sender, but accepted, and the Elections office will pay the additional postage. Why voters are even asked to pay for postage to vote remains a bigger puzzle.
Remember, it Takes TWO
Now, if you’re struggling to educate yourself about the candidates vying for the open local, county, state and national seats, Jacksonville Today has complied a list of who’s who, which is available by clicking on the Voter Guide box below.
Additionally, maybe the most comprehensive voter guide put together for our elections is offered by the League of Women Voters, and you can click here at VOTE411 to access it.
Finally … in the entire county, only ONE drop box is available for your ballots at the moment … ONE … and it is located at the Office of the Election Supervisor. The address, out next to the courthouse and Sheriffs’ office, is 4455 Avenue A, Suite 101, St. Augustine, Florida 32095. There won’t be any additional boxes until early voting begins on October 21.
Informing people of a postage issue with Ballots is an important public service, not political.
Political. Really?!?!
I will vote in person. By the way it would not be a good idea to turn political. The Spoonbill Courier is a wonderful service to our community, but politics would tear it apart.
Anything to do with the coming election is political.
John Brinson
Thanks John.
Informing people of the fact that they need to add a stamp to the envelope to send the ballot in is not “political”.
Voting is our right and a civic duty.
Telling someone who or what to vote for IS political.