What is direct balloting and how does it differ from absentee voting

[question everything]

The Sun Sailor from last week reported on the number of voters and gave different numbers for absentee ballots and for direct balloting.

[PoliticAverse]

1. Direct balloting...

"Direct balloting allows residents to vote in person and place their ballots through a tabulator one week prior to an election."

So if you deliver your absentee ballot in person prior to the election at a designated place it is "direct balloting".

[question everything]

2. Two years ago I voted absentee. Went to the same place as the direct balloting

City Hall. Filled the ballot and presented to City Clerk. I think that I had to put it in an envelope and sign it as did the clerk.

Does direct balloting, then the ballot goes to the scanner which counts the vote immediately, the way I did on election day?

[PoliticAverse]

3. Here's what the Bloomington Minnesota website says:

(From: https://www.bloomingtonmn.gov/cl/voting-information )

What is "direct balloting"?

During the final seven days before an Election Day, absentee voters who vote in person are allowed to place their ballots through a tabulator instead of sealing them into an envelope for later processing. This allows the voters to watch as their ballots are tabulated and to be made aware of any errors the tabulator may detect as the ballots are processed.

[marble falls]

4. Sounds like a safe way to vote, am I missing anything obvious.

[PoliticAverse]

6. I don't think so. Sounds pretty good and convenient.

I like the fact that you can immediately know if there was some problem with the machine
registering your check marks.

[dflprincess]

7. If you vote absentee more than 7 days before the election

whether you do it by mail or in person, your ballot gets sealed in inner & outer envelopes. The outer envelope has your personal information on it, including your name, precinct number, etc. and is used to record that you voted. The inner envelope contains your ballot but no personal information and is used to protect the secrecy of your vote. (Never been an election judge but I don't think the 2 envelopes are opened at the same time.)

If you file absentee more than 7 days before the election and something happens that makes you want to change your vote, you can go to the clerk and ask for your ballot back. This is another instance where the outer envelope comes in handy.

If you vote 7 or fewer days before the election, either in person or your mailed ballot is received by the clerk, you do not have the option of asking for your ballot back. That is the reason you can feed your ballot right into the machine when voting in person at that point.

[question everything]

5. Thanks. Though I do like to go to the polling place, to greet the judges

since, as retirees we go in mid morning there are not many so it is nice for the judges to be engaged.

I followed the advice and wore blue from top to bottom. As we were heading toward the door one of the judge commented on my blue hat (purchased in Finland two years ago) so I just waved my hand all over and said the blue wave.

In the suburb, not sure how they reacted..