Decisions, decisions

Jag började just bli orolig, men nu kom mina poströstsedlar för de federala valen i USA.

Det är alltid intressant (för något värde på "intressant") att se andra länders byråkrati, tycker jag. Så här ser instruktionerna ut (kolla legitimationsbestämmelserna!):

To ensure your vote(s) are counted, it is important that you follow all of the voting instructions shown on your ballot. After you have marked all your voting choices, reviewed your ballot to ensure there are no stray marks, and completed voting:

• Place your ballot in page number order if it is more than one page.
• Refold your ballot exactly as it was received.
• Place your voted ballot in the secrecy sleeve (not required).
• Ensure your name appears on your official return envelope.
• Place the secrecy sleeve containing your voted ballot into the official return envelope. Only one voter's ballot is permitted in your official return envelope. Your ballots will not be counted if more than one ballot is placed in your official return envelope.
• If you are required to provide a photocopy of an acceptable form of identification (see below), place the photocopy in your official return envelope. Do not place your ID photocopy in the secrecy sleeve with your voted ballot.
• Sign and date the affidavit of voter on the backside of your official return envelope; refer to the example below.

If you are a first time voter who registered to vote in the State of Colorado by mail and your mail-in ballot packet contains a purple ID Required slip, you must enclose a photocopy of an acceptable form of your identification in your official return envelope. Failure to provide ID will result in your ballot being treated as a provisional ballot. A photocopy of one of the following forms of ID is acceptable:

• A valid Colorado driver's license
• A valid identification card issued by the department of revenue
• A valid United States passport
• A valid employee identification card with a photograph of the eligible elector issued by any branch, department, agency, or entity of the United States government or of this state, or by any county, municipality, board, authority, or other political subdivision of this state
• A valid pilot's license issued by the federal aviation administration of other authorized agency of the United States
• A valid United Stated military identification card with a photograph of the eligible elector
• A copy of a current utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck, or other government document that shows the name and address of the elector
• A valid Medicare or Medicaid card issued by the Unites States health care financing administration
• A certified copy of a birth certificate for the elector issued in the United States
• Certified documentation of naturalization
• A valid student identification card with a photograph issued by an institution of higher education in Colorado

Any form of ID that shows the address of the eligible elector shall only be considered ID if the address is in the State of Colorado. Please see SOS Rule 30.1.6 for additional information regarding acceptable forms of ID.

Phew. Och det är ju inte som om man bara har två alternativ att välja mellan. Så här ser den fullständiga kandidatlistan ut:

• John McCain/Sarah Palin - Republican
• Barack Obama/Joe Biden - Democratic
• Chuck Baldwin/Darrell L. Castle - Constitution
• Bob Barr/Wayne A. Root - Libertarian
• Cynthia McKinney/Rosa A. Clemente - Green
• Jonathan E. Allen/Jeffrey D. Stath - HeartQuake '08
• Gene C. Amondson/Leroy J. Pletten - Prohibition
• James Harris/Alyson Kennedy - Socialist Workers
• Charles Jay/Dan Sallis, Jr. - Boston Tea
• Alan Keyes/Brian Rohrbough - America's Independent
• Gloria La Riva/Robert Moses - Socialism and Liberation
• Bradford Lyttle/Abraham Bassford - U.S. Pacifist
• Frank Edward McEnulty/David Mangan - Unaffiliated
• Brian Moore/Stewart A. Alexander - Socialist, USA
• Ralph Nader/Matt Gonzalez - Unaffiliated
• Thomas Robert Stevens/Alden Link - Objectivist

Om man skulle rösta på Libertarians, bara för att få en Root som vicepresident?