Jacksonville FL — Voting season is here. Starting Thursday mail-in-ballots will start to be sent out to voters who’ve requested them in Florida. In Duval County, Supervisor of Elections Mike Hogan says they plan to send out a little more than 138,000 ballots initially during the first drop.
“It’s the most we’ve ever sent out on the first drop.” Hogan says.
You can still request a mail-in-ballot, you have until October 24th to do so. He says he would not be surprised if they get up to 150,000 requests for mail-in-ballots. So how do those numbers stack up against other recent elections? Hogan says in the 2020 primary they sent out a total of 113,000 ballots and in the 2016 general election they sent out a total of 103,000 mail-in-ballots.
Hogan suggests mailing back the ballots as soon as you get them.
“I’m really begging that they just turn that rascal around and send it right back in. The longer you wait the more hazards you might have to contend with.” Hogan says.
Mail-in ballots must be back at the supervisor’s office by 7PM November 3rd, which is election night. There are multiple ways to get your mail-in-ballot back without having to put it in the mail. Once early voting starts on October 19th, Hogan says at the 20 sites this election cycle, there will be drop boxes where people can drop off their ballot.
“Some will be, uh, outside the room. It’s not gonna be in the polling room this time. Some will be outside the building.” Hogan says.
He says all those boxes will be manned and there are statutes that control the security of those boxes. Hogan says another option, in conjunction with the Jaguars, will be a drive-by drop box at TIAA Bank Field during the last week of early voting. He says he believes it will be set up in Lot C on the east side of the stadium.
“We’ll have a couple of Jaguar players out there with us, and of course I’ll have a team there, and of course we’ll be guarding a very secure ballot box.” Hogan says.
He says the stadium fits the statute that requires drop boxes to be in locations that are or could be an early voting site. Hogan says there are no plans to turn the stadium into an early voting site during this election cycle since there is already a new early voting location at the Prime Osborn Convention Center.
Hogan believes as of now voter turnout this election is going to be in the high 80′s.
Cox Media Group
