If I was in charge:
- Voters are encouraged to vote day-of, but an absentee ballot submission period of one month (ending on election day) is also available. That way you leave people more than enough time to get votes in while still allowing for an election-day vote total.
- Absentee voters must submit on their ballot either a handwritten signature or social security number that can be checked against records in their state. In person voters must provide an issued ID card such as a driver's license OR a provide a signature that staff can check OR a social security number.
- Clear submission instructions must be included with each absentee ballot and spread by local governments before election day. That way you minimize the number of people caught off guard by election day rules.
Seems simple enough, don't you think?