Voting while in labor?

[smcdonald2]

I realize this is a bit premature (no pun intended), but I am due 11/13/2010. Suppose I am in the hospital, giving birth a bit early on election day...how do I vote? Do hospitals offer absentee ballots? Do I need to try to vote early on the excuse that I MIGHT be incapacitated? What to do?

[swissair81]

I think you have to register for an absentee ballot ahead of time. I was due the very end of October with my last baby. I wasn't sure whether I'd be up and around yet by election day. I ended up giving birth 8 days early & it was fine. It was good, because I totally forgot to register for an absentee ballot.

[LMPC]

In my state (NC) you don't need any excuse to have an absentee ballot. I would just check with your state's regulations. I can't imagine that you won't be able to get an absentee ballot given your due date!

BTW, way to be a responsible citizen

And good luck with the rest of your pregnancy!

[wellyes]

Whooo citizenship!! Good for you!!
I agree with the PPs about the absentee ballot thing.

[fumofu]

We're in California and you'll need to register for an absentee ballot ahead of time. It was so convenient, I permanently registered myself for send-by-mail ballot.

[salsah]

i would request an absentee/vote by mail ballot so that you can send it in early.

[pharmjenn]

We're in California and you'll need to register for an absentee ballot ahead of time. It was so convenient, I permanently registered myself for send-by-mail ballot.

Me too. I have been permanent absentee voting for over 10years now, even though I now work a more convenient schedule for getting to the polls. Last year we even carried our ballots to the polling place, because it was at a fire station and DS could see the engines.

[pb&j]

I was due in Nov 2008 - I requested and completed my absentee ballot early. In my state, you need a reason to vote absentee, and pregnancy is an accepted reason.

[PearlsMom]

In Virginia, you could just go and vote early (absentee) a few weeks before the election -- I did this when I was in college out of state and might not be around on Election Day. I don't remember having to provide any reason for early voting, but that may have changed.

[luckytwenty]

I will have a newborn on Election Day and will be doing absentee ballot as well, so I don't have to drag a brand new baby into a germ-filled library to stand among lots of people! Thanks for the reminder--I'll be sure to get mine early.