Hello, everyone. I am planning on voting in the California recall election. I plan to vote in person with a paper ballot, not electronically. I also plan to vote early instead of on September 14. Is there anything that I should keep in mind before I go through with my vote? Is there anything about voting early that is a problem or is what I’m doing okay?
EDIT: Is there anything that I should bring with me? Pens or pencils?
Why is it important that I keep my mail-in ballot? Also, what's wrong with early voting? I've conflicting information that early voting is either bad or good.
If you throw away your mail in ballot it can be harvested from your trash and then used by someone to vote for Newsom. The only prevention offered is a signature check which, guess what, won't stop someone from signings your name on the ballot. If someone steals your ballot and fraudulently submits it you can be accused of double voting by showing up on election day.
If you vote early it gives them time to "fortify" the vote by changing your ballot.
Voting in person on election day gives them the least amount of time to commit fraud and under the most supervision.
Basically what Divvy just said, on both counts. If you must dispose of your ballot close to election day, shred it.
Voting on election day itself is simply the best, easiest way to protect your rights from being disenfranchised by any number of things - fraud, the rapid pace of current events, your ballot being 'lost' in the mail, acts of God. In my humble opinion, it's not something to take lightly or leave up to needless chance. Make the time to vote on election day, in person. It's worth the inconvenience.