Mail-in Voting: Know the rules…get it done

Image: An "I Voted at Home" sticker on a college student's
Deadpool-themed collegiate letterman-style jacket

I’m writing this last-minute emergency blog just before Election Day 2024 because I know a lot of college kids and their parents are freaking out right now trying to get ballots mailed in. As of this posting, we only have one week left before Election Day on November 5, 2024, so let’s get all those out-of-state college students (and any other mail-in voters!) informed and voting TODAY!

Lots of voters, including President Barack Obama, love mail-in voting for ease and convenience. Like I mentioned in my earlier blog, Six Reasons to Vote Early, it can free you up on Election Day to fulfill work/travel requirements or volunteer with election activities. It might reduce your anxiety as well, but only if you know the rules and get your ballot mailed on-time!

First off, know that this blog is for readers around the U.S., so visit your state election website for specific rules for your state. Or, go to the www.vote411.org website by the League of Women Voters. Click on your state on the US map and it will bring you to a link where you can find voter information.

The sections below will help you with the biggest considerations, but the best piece of advice I have is to visit your state info site and mail in that ballot as quickly as possible. You don’t want your voice to be silenced because of weather or processing delays!

Eligibility deadlines

Image: A college student with dyed red hair
filling out a mail-in ballot at a diner

Your state has a deadline for requesting the mail-in ballot, whether you request it online or have a relative request it for you. In Missouri, it was the second Wednesday before election day, which was weeks ago. If you’ve passed the deadline, you’ll have to vote in person. If not, continue reading!

Mailing Deadlines

Make sure you know when the deadline is to get that ballot to the election office! You can drop it in a regular U.S. mailbox, but if you are super close to the deadline, you could use an overnight mail service even though that’s very expensive.

In Missouri, voted absentee ballots must be received at the election office by 7:00 PM on Election Day. They may be returned by mailing service, in-person or close relative, or curbside service.

Notaries and how to find them

You may not need a notary public at all, but if you’re from a state like mine, you need one ASAP!

What is a notary?

A notary is an official recognized by your state who witnesses and validates the signing of important documents. Most people know about them if they’ve had to sign deeds, trusts, or important bills of sales. Notaries ensure signers are who they say they are at the time of signing. They will look at your photo ID (state ID, driver’s licence, passport, military ID, etc.), have you sign the ballot, then date and stamp the ballot. DO NOT SIGN YOUR BALLOT BEFORE GOING TO THE NOTARY. The whole point is that they witness you signing it!

Where can you find a notary?

Image: A masked student in glasses
holding a mail-in ballot in front of
book shelving at a library

Common places to find notaries near college campuses are public libraries, banks, and UPS stores. (UPS stores are independently owned, so not all of them have notaries. You should call and ask.) You usually have to make an appointment, but not always. If you can’t find one, ask a librarian or someone in the school’s bursar’s office. The bursar’s office is in charge of all the student accounts, financial aid, and compliance, so I bet they’re interested in making sure students sign legal documents correctly.

How much will a notary cost?

Image: A blank ballot held in front of a
BaltimoreCounty Public Library sign
saying, "$3 per signature"

It often costs between $3-15 to have a ballot notarized. The cost can vary even between places in the same town. The UPS store where we took our freshman in Boulder was $15. My college junior paid $3 at a Baltimore public library. Political writer and college student, Gabe Fleischer of “Wake Up to Politics” paid $5 at a UPS store around Washington D.C. In Missouri, ballot notification is required by the state to be free of charge, but not every UPS store seems to know that, so definitely call ahead to avoid an argument.

If you are lucky and can find a notary not affiliated with a business, you can avoid a charge. Some activists I know took the step to become a notary specifically to help people with voting and notarize election petition signatures. 

I cannot emphasize enough how important it is to get this done as soon as you can. My Baltimore kiddo told me that appointments for all notaries their campus are booked up until the election. They texted me this anecdote:

Image: A masked student about to mail
their ballot in a U.S. Mailbox

“The person in the background of my selfie is a Pennsylvania absentee voter turning in her ballot, and some of her friends still haven’t gotten their ballots! So a group of them are giving up on the absentee process entirely and are doing a 4 hour round trip to drive to Philadelphia from Baltimore on Election Day itself.”

Proof of receipt

Your state likely has a way to notify you when they process your ballot. Sadly, Missouri, Illinois, Mississippi, and Wyoming do not have state-wide on-line ballot tracking. It is possible that your county might have it, so if you see a website or a QR code on your ballot you can check there. (ex. Missouri doesn't track it as a state, but St. Louis County tracks ballots) If you’re not in those states, you can track your ballot at https://www.vote.org/ballot-tracker-tools/ .

Some states even proactively contact voters. One of my family members let me know, “Dropped my San Francisco, CA ballot in a mailbox yesterday. Got an email today that it’s been received & counted! Checkmark, done!” Well done, San Francisco. That’s an amazing turnaround!

Image: "Keep Calm & Ask Mom" meme
image from MomsRising.org/Vote

I hope this post is helpful in this late stage of the election season. Please share it with anyone who needs this information. Students, don’t be embarrassed if you’re confused. It IS confusing to be a first-time voter at college, surrounded by a bunch of other first-time voters from other states who have different rules. 

Use your resources to do this important task that will help shape your future. Ask your parents, older students, or maybe even your former U.S. government teacher for help. 

(Hi, Dr. Smith) Chances are that they want you to vote and would love to help you!

Image: Book cover

Buy an autographed copy of "From Changing Diapers to Changing the World: Why Moms Make Great Advocates and How to Get Started" at my website www.changyit.com or order it from Amazon, Barnes and Noble, or any independent bookstore!