As coronavirus cases continue to rise in Florida, people are looking for alternate ways to vote in the upcoming primary and general elections.
With almost 3 million registered voters in Tampa Bay, many are turning to vote-by-mail to avoid long lines and possible spread at polling locations.
Florida has had “no excuse vote-by-mail” ballots since 2002, so voters don’t need to provide a reason when registering to vote by mail.
“It is a safe, convenient way to vote, so people should feel confident about it,” said Craig Latimer, Hillsborough County’s Supervisor of Elections.
“And it's a great alternative during this time so that people don't have to come out and possibly expose themselves to this virus.”
The deadlines to register for vote-by-mail are:
- 5pm August 8 for the August 18 Florida primary
- 5pm October 24 for the November 3 general election
Ballots cannot be forwarded, so make sure to include a current mailing address during registration.
The signature on mail-in ballot envelopes must match the one on file with the county and all ballots must be received-- not postmarked-- by 7pm on Election Day.
On Election Day, mail-in ballots can only be dropped off at election offices, and, if anyone changes their mind, mail-in ballots can be canceled when checking in to vote in person.
Here’s what you need to know to make sure your mail-in ballot is counted in your county.
Hillsborough
- Hillsborough offers postage-paid return ballots, so no stamps needed
- Curbside drop-off tents will be available at all 24 early-voting locations
- Request and track your vote-by-mail ballot here
Pinellas
- Pinellas will now have prepaid postage on all mail-in ballots
- Mail-in ballot drop-off boxes will be available inside 23 different locations during early voting
- Request and track your vote-by-mail ballot here
Pasco
- This is the first year Pasco will provide prepaid postage on all mail-in ballots
- Mail-in ballots can be dropped off in-person at any of the 11 early voting sites or one of three election offices through Election Day.
- Request and track your vote-by-mail ballot here
Polk
- Mail-in ballot drop-off will be available at both election offices and all early voting locations
- Request and track your vote-by-mail ballot here
Sarasota
- Mail-in ballot drop-off boxes will be available inside five different early voting locations
- Request and track your vote-by-mail ballot here
Manatee
- Manatee County has gone from one early voting location to five, and they will all have mail-in ballot drop off boxes
- Request and track your vote-by-mail ballot here
