Absentee Voting

This is a good time to start planning how your ballot will be counted.

You're voting in person or by mail for the november election, this is a good time to start planning how your ballot will be counted.

Some go to their precinct, others are relying on absentee voting.

Our stephanie poole has a few tips about what you should know.

She joins us in the studio with more.

Absentee voting takes more than a quick checkmark on a ballot.éé there's a couple of steps you must take before you receive your envelope in the mail.éé " to vote absentee, you have to have a reason.

You can't just say i want you to mail me a ballot."

Monroe county circuit clerk dana sloan is reviewing requirements for those who aren't able to vote at their precinct on election day.

" they would call the office.

We would take all their information, the reason and everything.

It has to be either the voter or someone in their immediate family that requests the absentee."

Sloan says after receiving your ballot in mail, fill out each page and send a copy of your id.

" we have very simple instructions, just follow those instructions to vote their ballots and make sure they sign their application and everything and send that back to us.

The law has changed now absentees have to be postmark by the date of the election but we have up to 5 business days after the election to actually receive it and have the ballot and have it still be counted."

On average, there are usually thousands of absentee voter to be counted in a general election.

With the threat of covid-19, sloan believes the number of requests will grow.

" we generally have for a presidential election probably between 12 and 15- hundred vote during a presidential election.

Wouldn't surprise me if we have 2-thousand easily."

Quarantine isn't yet qualified as a reason to vote absentee.

Sloan says the election commission is waiting for more guidance.

" we're starting to get information from the state now.

But there might be some type if you're in quarantine."

Absentee voting begins on september 21st.éé