TAMPA, Fla. — Election Day is a week out and if you have a vote-by-mail ballot, it means it's time to drop it in the mailbox or drop it off at a secured ballot intake.
The U.S. Postal Service advises voters who have a mail-in ballot to postmark it to the supervisor of elections office no later than one week before Election Day to ensure it's received even if there are any "unforeseen" events or weather issues.
When do I need to turn in my vote-by-mail ballot?
For your vote-by-mail ballot to be counted, it must be received — no matter when you mail it — by the supervisor of elections office no later than 7 p.m. local time on Election Day. Overseas voters will be given a 10-day extension, based on these exceptions found here.
The United States Postal Service (USPS) recommends voters mail back their vote-by-mail ballot at least one week before the Election Day deadline to make sure their ballot is received even if there are any "unforeseen" events or weather issues.
How do I turn in my vote-by-mail ballot?
If you don't want to send your completed vote-by-mail ballot through the mail or are worried it won't arrive in time, there are secure ballot intake stations. These stations will be at every supervisor of elections office and at designated early voting sites during the early voting period.
To find the nearest ballot intake station, click here.
What happens if your vote-by-mail ballot is lost or damaged?
If the vote-by-mail ballot is lost or damaged — such as it not arriving or it's way overdue, the return envelope unsealed due to humidity, the ballot contents are wet or stained with food — you can ask for another one.
But you'll need to contact your local supervisor of elections office.
Can I vote on Election Day if I have a vote-by-mail ballot?
You can vote in person on Election Day even if you have a mail-in ballot. You'll need to bring your entire vote-by-mail kit to your local polling place where poll workers will "cancel" your mail ballot. From there, you can vote at the polling location. If you don't bring your mail-in ballot, you may have to vote with a provisional ballot.
You can still drop off your filled-out vote-by-mail ballot, but you must do it at one of your local Supervisors of Elections offices. Find your closest location here.