how do you vote?

[jeanontheroad]

I am not asking who you vote for or where. I am asking how you do it. We, for instance, do it by absentee ballot. We only have one state to deal with for residency and car titles and mailing address. Easy peasy for us.

 

[PastTense]

I think voting in person and voting by mail (absentee ballot) are the only two options. Or do some states allow internet voting? I voted by mail, too.

 

[jeanontheroad]

As far as I know, in person or by mail are the only ways. We have only one state to worry about, but some people here seem to have mailing addresses and driver's licences and vehicle registrations and maybe are working or own a piece of land in 2 or more states. I was wondering how they negotiate that. Is it just where one establishes residency or does one need some sort of proof like utility bills or drivers licence to be registered to vote in various states.

I ask because while we are currently registered as FL residents and as living at our son's address, we have discussed and looked at bits of land in other states where we might want to spend varying amounts of time. Has anyone run into red tape with this?

 

[akrvbob]

I don't believe there will be any problem with buying land in as many states as you want and maintaining your residency in Florida.

Most states want you to be a resident because more residents gives them more federal dollars and votes in Congress. You are bringing them money into the state every year and yet not using and of their resources or funds. They win!

Very few states have any motive to deny you residency. So maintaining your residency is almost never an issue. The only exception I know of is Alaska, where because of the Permanent Fund Dividend they want to deny you being a resident. The last year I applied for it I had to fight them to give it to me although I owned land in the state, had been there for 51 weeks of that year, been a resident since 1961 and voted and paid taxes every year since 1973. I finally got it but never applied again because I was no longer a resident.

The only real problem is a state might claim you as a resident if you are there too long. They can want you to register your vehicle there or pay sales tax there. But buying land in any state won't give them leverage to claim you as a resident.

The key issue is time! How much time do you spend there. And if you spend too much time in a state that gives them leverage over you.
Bob

 

[compassrose]

I will be voting at the local precinct (a church) on Tuesday. Voting is one of those things I make the time for. I figure if I vote then I get to bitch about what the government is doing. I think that, as a US citizen, voting is both a duty and a privilege. Shame more folks don't think the same.

 

[Lostinspace]

I already voted. Went by the county offices and voted. Easy peasy.