Anne Lindberg
For the second time, requests for mail-in ballots have exceeded the 300,000 mark in Pinellas County, according to Deborah Clark, supervisor of elections.
The 300,593 ballots requested as of 9 p.m. Friday does not set a record. The record of 308,842 was sent in 2012 during the last presidential election. But the number is close to half Pinellas’ 649,200 registered voters.
“Pinellas County voters continue to embrace the convenience of mail ballots, with nearly 50 percent of our registered voters choosing to request a mail ballot for the 2016 General Election,” Clark said. “Time is running out, but voters still have the opportunity to request a mail ballot.”
As of 1 p.m. Saturday, 182,031 mail ballots were returned to Clark’s office. Another 22,990 had voted early. That makes a total of 205,021 votes that have already been cast. Clark’s records indicate that a few more Republicans (81,317) than Democrats (80,478) have voted. Independents and those with no party affiliation account for the remaining votes.
Voters have until 5 p.m. Wednesday to request that a ballot be mailed to them. To request a mail ballot, visit VotePinellas.com, call (727) 464-VOTE (8683) or email [email protected].
All voters will receive a two-sided ballot with 11 ballot questions.
Voters are advised to allow at least one week for their ballot to be mailed back to the Supervisor of Elections Office.
Voted ballots may be dropped off at any of the 12 remote ballot drop-off sites conveniently located throughout Pinellas County through November 7 or at one of the three Supervisor of Elections Offices through Election Day. Check VotePinellas.com for hours and locations.
All ballots must be received by 7 p.m. Election Day to be counted.
Voted mail ballots cannot be accepted at polling places.
Elections Offices will be open each day from 7 a.m. — 7 p.m. through Election Day.
Early polling places are open through Nov. 6.
