By Annie San Martin
Florida offers the convenience of mail-in ballots. Florida Statutes require ballots shall be mailed 40 - 33 days prior to election day. Military and Overseas ballots shall be mailed no later than 45 days prior to election day. You can request a mail-in ballot at: https://www.votecitrus.gov/Vote-by-Mail/Click-Here-to-Order-Your-Vote-by-Mail-Ballot or call (352) 564-7120.
You may also request in writing to:
Citrus County Supervisor of Elections
P.O. Box 1870 Lecanto, FL 34460-1870
Written requests need to include name, address, relationship to elector, and either the Florida Drivers License #, Florida Identification Card #, or the last 4 digits of the social security number for both the requestor and the voter (if different). If you request the ballot to be sent to an address other than your voting address on file, then this must be done in writing and include your signature. This does not apply to overseas voters or military voters.
Florida Statutes 101.62 requires that you request a ballot no later than 10 days by 5 p.m. before an election day.
On the mail-in ballot, a black or blue pen is used to fill in one oval choice in each category. The voter’s signature IS REQUIRED on the Return Certificate Envelope. The voter inserts the ballot into the secrecy sleeve provided to prevent exposing their choices. However if a voter forgets to use a secrecy sleeve: his ballot will count.The mail-in ballot may be mailed or dropped off in person at any Early Vote Location or at the Supervisor of Election Office (1500 N. Meadowcrest Blvd. Crystal River, FL 34429). PLEASE NOTE: On Election day, mail-in ballots can only be delivered to the Supervisor of Election office by 7 p.m. It CAN NOT be delivered at a local precinct polling site.
Contrary to what you may have been told in the past, we should be using all the voting options available to us. Whatever is easier for you is better than waiting until the day of the election and not being able to cast your vote because some unforeseen event might keep you from voting on Election Day. Your vote will count , whether you vote early, by mail or on Election Day.