Two Votes Uncounted

To the Editor:

Two ready and willing residents, my husband and his business associate, will be unable to cast their Yes votes at the next (and I pray final) budget referendum. They are currently out of town and will be away on voting day. What about the absentee ballot? No good. Here”s why.

Reason 1: The town clerk doesn’t have a fax machine — or at least one that can be used to fax in an absentee ballot application. Last time I checked the calendar, it read 21st Century.

Reason 2: The “regular” old absentee ballot doesn’t apply. It works only for the regularly scheduled referendum (that would be referendum number 1). Any subsequent referendums (2, 3, 4....999999) require a different, more restrictive procedure. I did not know this. Did you?

If I understood that procedure fully, I would report it to you now. But the steam billowing from my ears as I listened to the town clerk’s explanation messed my concentration. The information I did retain, however, is that the procedure required two round-trip express letters between Newtown and Singapore (where my husband is now). I don’t know if this can be done in time, not to mention the prohibitive costs involved!

Please understand that I have no beef with strict procedures to prevent fraud and ensure accuracy. But why do I have to learn this so late? Please, please, won’t someone with authority (The Bee, the town clerk) distribute these special absentee balloting instructions as soon as a subsequent referendum is called?

Thank you,

April Smith

53 Charter Ridge Drive, Sandy Hook                         May 24, 2006