Secretary Detzner to Voters: “Allow Sufficient Time to Return Vote-By-Mail Ballots”

Tallahassee –

Today, Secretary of State Ken Detzner issued the following reminder to Florida voters regarding vote-by-mail ballots in advance of the upcoming Primary Election on Tuesday, August 30.

“I strongly encourage all Florida voters who have requested a vote-by-mail ballot for the upcoming Primary Election to allow sufficient time to return their vote-by-mail ballot” said Secretary of State Ken Detzner. “Vote-by-mail ballots must be received by your supervisor of elections office by 7 p.m. on election night, whether by mail or hand delivery. Voters returning vote-by-mail ballots should also make sure to sign the back of the return envelope. Plan ahead and make sure your voice is heard!”

The United States Postal Service recommends that voters mail their completed vote-by-mail ballots at least one week before they are due to ensure the safe, timely delivery of their ballot. Voters who would like to request a vote-by-mail ballot should contact their county Supervisor of Elections office. Voters who have already requested, but have not yet returned, their vote-by-mail ballot have the option of voting at a designated early voting site during the early voting period or voting at the polls on Election Day. However, once a voter has returned a vote-by-mail ballot, their vote is considered cast for that election.

Voters who plan to vote-by-mail for the upcoming Primary Election should keep the following deadlines in mind:

• 5:00 pm, Aug. 24: Last day a voter can request that a vote-by-mail ballot be mailed.
• 26: Last day for Supervisors of Elections to mail vote-by-mail ballots to voters. 
• 29: Last day a voter may pick up a vote-by-mail ballot from his or her local Supervisor of Elections (if an emergency exists a vote-by-mail ballot may be picked up on election day).
• 7:00 pm, Aug. 30 (Primary Election Day): Deadline by when vote-by-mail ballots for the Primary Election must be received by the Supervisor of Elections office in order to be canvassed and counted.

The Division of Elections is providing daily vote-by-mail ballot and early voting statistics based on county reports last filed by the Supervisor of Elections for that county. To access these statistics, please visit the Division of Elections’ Vote-by-Mail Request & Early Voting Statistics webpage.

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About the Division of Elections
The Florida Department of State’s Division of Elections supports the Secretary of State, Florida’s chief election officer, in ensuring that Florida has fair and accurate elections. The Division’s three bureaus; the Bureau of Election Records, Bureau of Voter Registration Services, and Bureau of Voting Systems Certification, have several responsibilities in the areas of legal compliance and elections administration to ensure that Florida’s election laws are uniformly interpreted and implemented.  The Division also assists local Supervisors of Elections in their duties, and promotes enhanced public awareness and participation in the electoral process. For more information about Florida’s elections, visit dos.myflorida.com/elections/.

*Pursuant to Chapter 2016-37, Laws of Florida, beginning July 1, 2016, the term “Absentee Ballot” has changed to “Vote-by-Mail Ballot” in the State of Florida.