The problem with mailing in your absentee ballot early is precisely that they will be counted before hand. This information can then possibly be used to effect the outcome of the election, and the people most likely to find themselves in posession of this information are incumbents who are friendly with their peers in government. I vote absentee, but have dropped off my ballot at my polling station the last couple years.

I know, conspiracy theorist, right? Still, if you can imagine a crime will occur, than eventually it will. Why take the chance? So we can find out a few days earlier who will be taking office in a few months?

you can track your ballot on this website Web Link

When are we going to figure out online voting? This is Silicon valley...right?

They are not supposed to actually count them until election day. Either way, I say to hell with submitting by mail and support voting online. We can then track for ourselves that our votes were received and counted. :-)