RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, NC — As evidenced by recent polls, the November presidential elections will be close — and as the 2000 election pointed out, every vote counts. The Automotive Aftermarket Suppliers Association (AASA) is reminding those planning to attend the Automotive Aftermarket Products Expo (AAPEX) in Las Vegas, or those who will be out of town, to submit an absentee ballot.
AAPEX takes place Tuesday, Nov. 2 (Election Day), through Friday, Nov. 5, at the Sands Expo Center in Las Vegas.
“All states allow you to submit an absentee ballot if you are unavoidably absent from your voting district on Election Day,” said Paul Foley, vice president of AASA, the aftermarket segment association of the Motor & Equipment Manufacturers Association (MEMA). “Because each state has different rules on how to apply for and submit an absentee ballot, we urge the industry not to wait until the last minute to begin the absentee process.”
According to Foley, only registered voters can apply for an absentee ballot, so it is important to first make sure you are registered in your area. Prior to 1978, only persons who had a certified medical excuse, or who could demonstrate that they would be out of town on Election Day, were allowed to vote absentee. Since 1978, however, any registered voter may apply for and vote an absentee ballot, making voting by mail accessible to any registered voter.
Applications for absentee ballots are typically available by contacting local county, province or city elections officials. Depending on the state, this individual may be the county clerk, county auditor, county registrar or supervisor of elections, or board of elections. In most cases, the phone number for the office is listed in the blue government pages of the phone book. Additionally, most states now offer the applications on their Web sites.
Most states also offer “one-stop voting,” specified polling places that are open on a regular schedule up to three weeks before Election Day. The one-stop option is open only to registered voters who should be prepared to provide identification which proves they are residents of the county, province or precinct. Local election officials will be able to provide more information about the one-stop voting option.
“Attending AAPEX is really a must if you are in the North American aftermarket,” Foley added. “But just as you have a responsibility to your business, you also have many responsibilities as an American citizen and one is to vote.”
Organizers for the 2004 AAPEX show have provided additional resources to make the absentee voting process easier. To order your absentee voter application go to www.aapexshow.com click on “Exhibitors,” then click on “Election 2004.”
For more information about MEMA, go to: www.mema.org.
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