Need some help -- I must sign my absentee ballot request but have no printer

[CatWoman]

what can I use in order to sign it electronically?

I can return it via email, but how do I work out the signature issue?

At work our computers are equipped to add electronic signatures (using which software I don't know), but I don't have that capability on my home computer.

Thanks in advance.

[Dan]

1. Interesting...

An electronic signature....didn’t know that they did that.

But in our state, your signature is electronically scannedfrom your voter registration application that you initially signed. Your signature on your ballot is compared to that signature for verification that you actually signed the ballot submitted.

[cayugafalls]

2. That is a tough problem.

They check signatures to make sure they match, I believe. So using a software program is out unless it is actually using your signature.

Without a printer or a scanner, I am having a hard time thinking of a solution.

There is one way, you can sign your name on a piece of white paper using black ink, take a picture of it with your phone, email the picture to yourself so you can get it on your computer and then edit and crop the picture to be a certain size that you can insert to the ballot and place on the line where your signature goes.

I have done this in the past, but it is sketchy and takes time and knowledge of editing software.

[cayugafalls]

3. A caveat to my above post is that I am not sure this is legal.

Sorry but that is the best I have to offer.

[mitch96]

5. I know you can electronically sign PDF files. maybe you can do it that way?

[Timewas]

6. Local library??

Might have what you need

[SoCalNative]

7. Do you have a Kinko's, Staples or Office Depot near you?

Put the paperwork on a thumb drive and take it there to print out and sign. They could also scan again after it's signed and save it back to your drive, then you can save to your computer and attach to email to send.

[CatWoman]

8. i just finished doing a search on that

and the Staples near me has online printing services.

I emailed the document and am now waiting for a confirmation email from them.

Then I go to the store and enter the request in the kiosk on location, using a confirmation number that is supposed to come with the confirmation.

I would never have thought of that without you guys.

You're the greatest.

[eppur_se_muova]

9. Years ago, I scanned my signature and saved it as a .GIF file.

Now I can paste it into .pdf and other text documents, but the details depend pretty harshly on what file format and application you're using. Personally, I use Libre Office to open files in .odt format and then export to .pdf. There are some glitches, so YMMV.