I think Postmarks are obsolete, and no longer valid for counting absentee ballots. I rarely see a postmark on the mail I receive. With regard to Federal elections, mail in ballots and an inconsistant Postal Service I believe there should be a special USPS service. For military personnel a special envelope with tracking number should be available to ensure the vote is counted by election day. This "voting" service would only be available with valid military ID and have a nominal price.
I addressed military personnel because that is the focus of Watson's comments and because I believe overseas military mail is handled by the military/ USPS. I don't know how expatriots can use such a service because their ballots would rely on foreign postal services. But I guess a special service could also be coodinated with courier services. Maybe the Social Security Administration could somehow ensure the timely ballot of homebound people. But, it would all require common sense impementation without politcal influences.
I think Postmarks are obsolete, and no longer valid for counting absentee ballots. I rarely see a postmark on the mail I receive. With regard to Federal elections, mail in ballots and an inconsistant Postal Service I believe there should be a special USPS service. For military personnel a special envelope with tracking number should be available to ensure the vote is counted by election day. This "voting" service would only be available with valid military ID and have a nominal price.
What about non-military U.S. citizens in other countries, or homebound people in this one?
I addressed military personnel because that is the focus of Watson's comments and because I believe overseas military mail is handled by the military/ USPS. I don't know how expatriots can use such a service because their ballots would rely on foreign postal services. But I guess a special service could also be coodinated with courier services. Maybe the Social Security Administration could somehow ensure the timely ballot of homebound people. But, it would all require common sense impementation without politcal influences.
May we use this as a guest post to get more eyes on it?
Yes, by all means.