A penny short? Have no fear. Ballots will be delivered.

Kari Chisholm

All this week, I've gotten concerned emails from BlueOregon readers concerned about the forthcoming postal rate change on Monday -- when the price of a first-class stamp goes up one penny to 42 cents. Folks have been terrifically concerned about ballots getting returned, and people being disenfranchised... all for want of a penny.

I've checked in with my friends at the Secretary of State's office, and they've verified two things:

#1. The USPS will deliver ballots in Oregon that are a penny short.

#2. The County Elections offices will pick up the cost of an extra penny.

So, have no fear, folks. All is well.

Now, a couple of notes:

• This probably doesn't apply if you're mailing in your ballot from out-of-state. Oregon post offices know all about our election, and they know what a ballot looks like. But that doesn't mean a mail carrier in another state will. Get your 42-cent stamp on there.

• The counties are terribly concerned that a bunch of people will take advantage of their generous offer - and it'll cost 'em a bunch of money. If you're reading this post, then you know all about the postal rate change -- do the responsible thing and pony up your own damn penny.

(Of course, it's not that huge a budget hit. Even if we had 100% turnout of all two million Oregon voters - and nobody mailed a ballot until Monday, and they all did it a penny short... it'd cost $20,000 - split among 36 counties. We should be so lucky for turnout like that!)

By Kari Chisholm May 09, 2008