Coronavirus concerns increase demand for vote-by-mail ballots

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — With Election Day just over a month away, many Florida counties are seeing record-breaking numbers of voters wanting to vote by mail.

Orange County Supervisor of Elections Bill Cowles says his office has seen more demand for vote-by-mail ballots than during the last election.

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According to Cowles, in 2016 Orange County had 218,000 people sign up to receive a vote-by-mail ballot, as compared to the 261,000 already this year.

In Florida ballots can legally begin to be mailed to voters on Sept 24.

“The first thing to know is that you got to have a request in order to get a ballot,” Cowles said.

Voters have up to 10 days before Election Day to request a ballot.

Officials warn voters this year’s ballot is four pages long, so give yourself plenty of time to fill it out.

“Go ahead and get your request in now, to make sure that you’re going to get your ballot and have plenty of time to mark it,” Cowles says.

There is even a website that lets voters track their ballot to see when the elections office receives their ballot, and if there are any problems with it.

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The supervisor of elections recommends sending your ballot in no later than a week before the election to make sure it is received on time.

“In Florida, a postmark does not count. All voting ends at 7 p.m. election night, so your ballot must be in this building by 7 p.m.” Cowles says.

There are drop boxes at every early voting site where voters can drop off ballots in person.

Early voting begins Oct. 24.