The practice of Vote-by-Mail, or Postal Voting, is getting a lot of attention lately, as more voters are expected to cast their ballots from home during this year’s elections. President Trump has made numerous claims about the possibility of voter fraud within mail in voting systems. Here in Florida, Vote-by-Mail has been an option for all voters since 2002, but its use varies widely across the country.
As of July, 2020, five states hold elections almost entirely by mail: Colorado, Hawaii, Oregon, Utah and Washington. Postal voting is an option in 33 states and the District of Columbia.
Here in Florida it is too late to request a Vote-by-Mail ballot for the primary election. Ballots for next week’s primary must be received by the Supervisor of Elections’ office no later than 7 p.m. on Election Day. Vote-by-mail ballots can also be returned at secure drop boxes at Supervisor of Elections' main and branch offices, and early voting sites.
We get some history on mail in voting, and learn what's happening during this election season, both around the U.S. and here in Florida, with Susan MacManus, Distinguished Professor Emerita in political science at the University of South Florida; and Charles Stewart, Kenan Sahin Distinguished Professor of Political Science at MIT.
