I thought that absentee ballots were only counted if they would make a difference in the outcome of the election.
In CA they get counted early. We get early results the minute polls close due to absentee ballots. And an FAQ I found online says they all get counted regardless of how close (or not) an election is (absentee ballots can arrive as late as 3 days after the election ).
I found this info for each state about deadlines and when absentee ballots are counted.
http://www.nass.org/index.php?option=com_docman&task=doc_download&gid=1059
Thanks for the table-- but it shows when counting “may” begin. This link says they are counted https://www.fvap.gov/vao/vag/appendix/faq. However, this, from our local paper, says ours arent counted until after polls close on election day
When is the last time to request one?
In CA the deadline to request an absentee ballot is Nov 1st. I imagine it varies by state.
Not sure why your comment of “may begin”. I suppose that could mean it might not but I took it as they are allowed by law (and not before). As I said in CA they do count early and report as soon as polls close. Other states may do it differently.
THe column for when votes are counted is labeled as “when absentee ballot counting may begin”. That’s their verbiage.
deleted.
Either you edited your post after I read it, or I skipped over it (it’s too early!) I just noticed your quote from your local paper (I’m assuming you are in CA). Okay, that’s weird, because IIRC I thought we got immediate results and usually with “due to absentee votes”. But I am no expert on the subject.
Nope-- am on the other coast. And I dont think I edited the post, but did clarify I was reading the title of the column on the right of the link you shared. Oh wait-- I did add the quote from the local (east coast) paper.
LOL! Okay…so I probably am right! Obviously your local (east coast) paper isn’t talking about CA.
My east coast paper has enough trouble reporting its own news! 
I am in a “possible” swing state, so will try to vote early. Problem is, they arent opening the multiple early voting places 'til a few days before the election, when I won be able to go. Might go to the main location today, if time permits (between appointments)
I’ve never had to wait more than 5 minutes or so on election day in my polling place. I’m thinking about voting early, so it will be interesting to see if there are big lines. I’ve heard that sometimes the early voting lines are worse than election day lines.
I’ve never encountered very long lines either. But my work schedule allows me to beat the after work rush, so it might be that. Or perhaps it’s because in CA anyone can vote by mail (keeping lines down).
Even though I sort of like the whole going to the polls thing and I’ve never had an issue, I’m a little concerned about the lines at the polls. So, I’ve requested a ballot by mail and will try it this way for the first time.
I’ve never had to wait at my polling place either. For some elections the lines have been longer for early voting.
Our state and local elections are on Saturdays. And I get federal Election Day as a holiday. So those two things may be a factor in my never experiencing long lines.
I may vote early but I still need to decide on a number of local items on the ballot.
For the record, I checked the status of my absentee ballot request online, and it has been received. It has not yet been processed, even though I submitted the request 11 days ago. I hope it will be processed eventually.
I just voted. It took me 20 minutes to drive over there but fortunately there was no line and they had lots of booths set up. Last time I went to that same place for a presidential election early voting I was in line for an hour and a half
In Iowa, you would go to the polls and file a challenge ballot. On the challenge ballot, you would state that you requested a ballot that never came. When deciding whether to accept the vote, the country auditor’s office would look into what happened to your request. If you swore that you had not already voted, and no other vote is found, they will count your ballot. Every state has different laws, and different policies apply in auditor’s offices.
If you have kids off at college make sure they are voting!
In Pennsylvania, if you voted by absentee ballot, but then show up at your regular voting place, you can execute an affidavit to void your absentee ballot and vote in person. That is made easier by the fact that the absentee ballots are not processed centrally; they are distributed to the voting locations where the absentee voters would ordinarily vote in person.
Hope it comes on time, @Marion! I am hopeful it will.
Since I’ve already voted, tonight’s tv watching will be for entertainment value.
That’s a funny way to describe it!