Yikes! So, I go to school in Washington DC, but still vote at my parents' address in Wisconsin. I was obviously excited to vote out Scott Walker, but today I received some upsetting news from my village clerk who mails out my absentee ballot.
The village clerk called me and left a voicemail telling me she received my request for an absentee ballot today which is too late and that I wouldn't be receiving a ballot at all!
Now to provide some background, I had requested a ballot and voted in the primary in early May, and checked the box that I wished to receive a ballot for all elections through November, obviously including the recall general on June 5. But when I had not received my ballot last week, I panicked and sent in another request last Saturday (although it's possible it didn't get sent out until Tuesday due to the holiday weekend). I figured the second request would have gotten in by Thursday, which is the deadline, but apparently it did not.
I called the village clerk and asked if she had my original request that said I wanted a ballot for every 2012 election. She said she would have to check. I asked if my recall ballot would be counted as long as it was postmarked by election day. She said yes. I asked why she couldn't send a ballot to me today in the hopes that I might receive it Monday and send it back on Tuesday. She said she would have to check with the Government Accountability Board and get back to me, but that their mailing deadline was yesterday.
I know it's just one vote, but the situation pisses me off because my village clerk effectively disenfranchised me! I know I should have called to ask about the ballot earlier but I've been busy with other things and just naively assumed it would get to me in time. How many other Wisconsin voters check that box, expecting to get their absentee ballots on time, and then don't?
Can anyone advise me or put me in touch with someone? Do I have any recourse in this situation?? I'll update this if and when GAB calls me.
2:30 PM PT: GAB called me and said the clerk will send the ballot in today's mail! I asked them if she could priority mail it so I'd be sure to get it on Monday but was told she can't. My mail doesn't normally come until late, around 6 pm, so I won't be able to get it postmarked on Tuesday if it comes Tuesday night. So, fingers crossed that it gets here Monday!
GAB also said a ballot was sent out per my original request to get them for every election through November and they're not sure what happened to it. Sounds sketchy.
Thanks for all the advice! I'd love to hop on a plane and vote in person (maybe spend election day GOTVing) but alas, can't miss work.
Mon Jun 04, 2012 at 7:39 PM PT: Excellent news! Got my ballot tonight! I'll get it out tomorrow! Whew!