Tuesday, November 3, 2026 is fast approaching.
Have you voted?
I'm fortunate to live in Colorado where we have had voting by mail
safely, securely, and successfully since 2013.
As Governor Jared Polis said earlier this year:
"Many Colorado voters have chosen to vote by mail for decades, and since 2013 the State has had universal vote-by-mail for eligible voters. Colorado’s vote-by-mail system is one of the most secure and successful in the country, achieving a turnout rate of 73.4% in the 2024 general election as compared with the national average of 64.3%. Of these voters, 92.2% chose to return a mail ballot, while only 7.8% of voters chose to vote in-person." Source
I love voting by mail, because my ballot has never failed to arrive,
and I can return it by dropping it in a secure drop box
next to the library and police station a mile away.
I vote early and I drop it off early, always.
Thanks to Ballottrax, I can choose to get an email
when my ballot is officially received and another when it's counted:
"Hello MYRTLE BARBOUR,
Thank you for voting! Your 2026 General Election mail ballot has been counted by Arapahoe County Elections."
To me the best thing about early voting by mail is that I have time
to carefully research and fill out my ballot.
My Colorado ballot this year was four pages long,
contained seven amendments to change our state constitution,
seven propositions to change our state statutes,
four City of Aurora ballot issues,
about a dozen judges to vote to return to the bench or not,
(including the Supreme Court of Colorado),
a federal senator, a congressional representative, a state senator, a state representative,
a sheriff, and a number of other officials like a coroner,
and a couple of random things like regional transportation decisions.
The voter information books I received from the State of Colorado
and Arapahoe County contained a total of 156 pages. 😱
Thankfully, I can sit down several times and thoughtfully fill out my ballot.
This time it took me seven or eight hours, maybe a little longer.
(Yes, I know I could plan in advance and carry a sheet into a voting booth
to help me as I vote in person on Election Day,
but there is something very reassuring about physically inking in a paper ballot
and not having to worry about screwing up technologically in the voting booth.
Technology and I often fight.)
Not one of our amendments, propositions, or ballot issues was simple,
and I had to dig into the details to be sure what I was voting on.
It can be difficult to track down unbiased and balanced voting information.
One resource that's available nationwide and that I have found very helpful is Ballotpedia.
What I appreciate about Ballotpedia is that it thoroughly discusses
the pros and cons of an amendment, a proposition, ballot issues, and candidates,
discloses who is supporting or opposing an item or person on the ballot,
and who had spent what regarding the item.
I always check out Ballopedia.
Absolutely, for sure, I think this should be the case! 😂
A second thing I like about early voting by mail is that I don't have to worry
about something unexpected happening on Election Day that prevents me from voting.
If my ballot doesn't arrive, I have time to find out what the problem is.
If something unexpected happens when I want to drop off my ballot,
I can go the next day or Terry can drop it off for me.
I consider voting an important responsibility, and I know I can get it done.
I hate to admit the third thing I value about early voting by mail.
But I'll admit it. I'm a senior. I'm 76.
I do not want to shuffle through hours in line waiting to vote,
especially if the weather is bad or I am sick or in pain on Election Day.
There are lots of people who find it challenging to stand in line and wait,
not just seniors.
Dropping a ballot off or returning it by mail solves these problems.
I prefer to drop my ballot off in a drop box.
Then I don't have to worry about the USPS getting it back in time.
So, have you voted?
It is a privilege. It is a responsibility. Make your voice heard.
Have a great weekend!
Till next time ~
Fundy Blue
Standing Into Danger https://selkiegrey4.blogspot.com
Copyright ©2026 – All rights reserved.
My next post will be
Friday, October 30th, 2026 🤞
On the Bay of Fundy
© M. Louise (MacBeath) Barbour/Fundy Blue
All Rights Reserved
I'm voting today. I like early voting.
ReplyDeleteThe only bummer about mail in voting is waiting for that state to finally count all the late votes and announce a winner, sometimes a week late.
Kudos to you for voting early, Alex. Yes, waiting for results can be nerve-racking, but it's important that all votes get counted.
DeleteGetting an email confirming your mail-in ballot has been received and counted is a great reassurance that it hasn't gone astray. I know a lot of my *older demographic* friends voted by mail in our recent Alberta Referendum. I must ask if they got an email too. I voted in person for the Wild Excitement Of It All.
ReplyDeleteI definitely like that reassurance, Debra. I'm glad you enjoyed the experience of voting in the Alberta Referendum! And I'm really glad your side won.
DeleteWe will be voting and you know who we will be voting for.
ReplyDeleteYes, I do, and kudos for you and your Sweetie for voting!
DeleteThe municipal one here they did online, much much easier than going and standing in line and way more people voted. And those they didn't online could go in person and there would be less people. Win win.
ReplyDeleteMail in voting I'm all for too. Rather have it done because, as you said, anything could come up the day off.
Never knew you had to vote for coroners though. And that many pages to read? Geez, way more time consuming than here. But at least you get a say in things, unlike here with old corrupt egotistical Timmy trying to ram everything down our throats.
Hey, Pat, where you're at! I can rhyme too. 😂. Yup, coroners. And over the years I have sometimes voted for Republican coroners because I thought they were more qualified or doing a good job. So far, in Colorado, we haven't gone to online voting. But it makes sense, especially in a municipal election where voters are spread out. We do not get Election Day off here which imposes extra Election Day burdens on people who are working. So wrong! Have a good weekend, Pat!
DeleteI voted by mail and received the email confirmation that my ballot was received. I also like to sit down and do research as I fill out my ballot. Who are all these judges and what do they believe? What do all these issues really mean? I don't have to worry I might not be able to vote on election day. It's all taken care of. I've never had a problem with receiving my ballot or turning it in.
ReplyDeleteLove,
Janie
Awesome, Janie! I'm really glad to hear about your positive experience with mail ballots. I really don't think we should be voting on judges, but since that's the system in Colorado, I go through the information on judges carefully as I make my decisions. And an issue may look great on the surface, but when you dig into it, you may find it's poorly written, vaguely defined, or has a gotcha (like proposed tax brackets NOT being indexed to inflation).I hope you are enjoying a good weekend!
DeleteWe don't have early voting in NH, and to vote by mail this year you need to apply. I'm sure most people who apply will get it. I have never voted early or by mail but you made some excellent points why I should ( at least the by mail part). I'll need to get in and vote on election day. It's so important to do. And wow, there's a lot on your ballot to vote for. Have a super weekend.
ReplyDeleteYes, it's so important to vote, Erika! Kudos to you for always getting out there on Election Day! Our ballots are legendary. 😱😂 Enjoy your weekend!
DeleteDear Louise, I enjoyed these memes! Thank you so much for sharing the smiles and chuckles, dear friend. Grumpy Cat had me laughing out loud! Voting is important. I like the fact that we have the option to vote early! It saves the wait time, as it goes more quickly and you still get a chance to "speak your mind"....so to speak! LOL!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Linda! Grumpy Cat has long been a favorite of mine. 😂 It's important for us to speak our minds! I tried to be objective as I set up this post, trying not to tip my hand to my personal politics. That's because I believe in the importance of everyone voting. I don't believe in trying to suppress certain groups of voters. It's our right to speak our minds! Have a great weekend. Love and hugs to you!
DeleteIt's amazing what a few hundred miles can mean. We in KS can vote early. I plan to vote on the 28th because that is the day the polling place I prefer opens its doors. I prefer to vote in person and watch the results as they enter the machine. I also like to vote early and get it out of the way. I haven't missed once since I moved to Wichita, even if there was only one person OR amendment on the ballot. My foremothers fought too hard for the right to vote. I will never let them down!!
ReplyDeleteYou raise such an important issue, Elizabeth ~ Our foremothers. I know the women on both sides of my family staunchly believed in the right to vote and worked for it in the Maritimes in Canada. Fortunately the movement was peaceful and effective. I come from strong women whom I'm very proud of. I have never missed a vote in Canada while I lived there ant not in the USA after I became a citizen, even if there was only one person/thing on the ballot. Here's to women voters! 🥂. I'll be thinking of you on the 28th! Happy weekend!
DeleteYour know I voted. Oregon is a mail in voting state as well. Secure with no problems since 1998 or something like that. Our ballot was one page and I was surprised at that. We can go to a web site to see where our ballots are. I'm sure your state has something for that as well. Thank you for sharing with FFO and have a lovely weekend.
ReplyDeleteI had no doubt you voted, Nicole! Oregon was the first state to have mail in voting for everyone, and I think it should be available in every state. Enjoy your weekend, my friend!
DeleteI love your post, my friend and YES, I have voted and Yes, I voted by mail, as is my right. I took particular pleasure in voting this year as there are those who think they could disrupt our voting system. He who trys to disrupt our voting will be met with distain from the voting public ... I dare him to try. It will be just another piece of his undoing. And I agree and I tell everyone I meet ... It is very important to VOTE! Thank you for shouting it from your rooftop, Louise.
ReplyDeleteAndrea @ From the Sol
Andrea, it's lovely to see you! Thank you so much for your support! I'm thrilled you've voted!
DeleteYou show how secure early voting by mail makes democracy more accessible, giving voters the time, confidence and independence to make informed choices without the stress of Election Day queues.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Roentare! I hope all is well with you!
DeleteWhat you said about early voting -- spot on! I am dropping my ballot in the box today. Fingers crossed.
ReplyDeleteFingers crossed for sure, Jeanie! And it's really awesome that you're getting your ballot in early! All the bess to you!
DeleteI always like to vote on the day itself because I love the ladies who work there. However, I wish I had done early voting this year. I am being bombarded by phone calls telling me to vote ! YIKES!
ReplyDelete