Features

Mailed Ballots Require Two Stamps

By Judith Scherr
Tuesday October 31, 2006

Absentee voting is becoming increasingly popular, but, as an insert in the mailed ballot indicates, the cost to send the ballot back is 78 cents—two first-class stamps or one 39-cent stamp and one 24-cent stamp. 

No ballots, however, will be thrown away for insufficient postage, according to Guy Ashley, spokesperson for the Alameda Registrar of Voters. The county has an arrangement with the U.S. Post Office that it will make up the difference for insufficient postage, Ashley said. 

A further note for those who wish to vote by mail: Today, Oct. 31, is the last day to register absentee. The requests must be in the hands of the registrar of voters—located in the courthouse basement at 1225 Fulton St., Oakland—by 5 p.m.