Remember that the Board of Elections cannot alter election law by regulatory action. Therefore, let it be known I ask you to vote that absentee ballots need to continue to be received by the Office of Elections or the polling place by 7 pm the day of elections, with a postmark required for those ballots mailed to the Office of Elections. 

There is no necessity to extend the return time for ballots beyond the day of election unless fraud is being contemplated. By extending the return time of ballots to Friday at Noon following election day, a postmark of election day, 7 pm must still be required for the ballot to be considered legitimate and counted. The question remains, why should an extension be necessary? Negligence on the part of the voter? Too bad; they've had plenty of notice to send in the ballot in a timely fashion. Fraud in the making? A good possibility.

Therefore, Office of Elections, I urge you to adhere to the law and demand a public hearing. Postmarks must be preserved to insure fair and honest elections.