Absentee voters who die before election day

Dear Matthew Alice: The recent election has raised a question in my mind. The Registrar of Voters is letting people vote early at her office, and we've always been able to file absentee ballots. What would happen if someone voted early but died before election day? Would his vote count? — Democrat in Serra Mesa

If you’re lively enough to actually get the ballot in the box (on or before election day), that’s all that matters, according to the registrar’s office. The fact that you don’t stick around to suffer the outcome is irrelevant Unfortunately, I don’t think the state Election Code says anything about voters who are dead between the ears when they vote or are driven to lunacy by TV campaign ads.