By Kyle LoJacono
A new state law now requires voters to request an absentee ballot, also known as vote-by-mail request, for each two-year election cycle.
“Under the previous law, vote-by-mail requests were good for two general election cycles,” said Earl Lennard, Hillsborough County Supervisor of Elections. “Now, voters have to request a vote-by-mail ballot after every regularly scheduled general election.”
Pasco County Supervisor of Elections Brian Corley said once people learn of the change, he thinks it will not be a big concern. However, he wants everyone to know and understand the new law so they can vote in 2012.
“Most people still vote on election day and early voting has passed absentee ballots, but there are still people who have gotten used to getting the ballot by mail,” Corley said. “It would be easy to get in a routine of requesting one after every presidential or midterm election. We want people to know they have to do it every election cycle.”
Those requesting a ballot for a municipality, such as Zephyrhills’ city elections in April, for 2011 can register for all elections through the presidential vote in November 2012.
Last year, 21,931 Pasco residents voted in the midterm with an absentee ballot in the general election. That accounts for 15.78 percent of the 138,985 who voted in the county last November.
In Hillsborough, 67,332 people voted with an absentee ballot in the 2010 general election, which accounts for 21.34 percent of the 315,483 who voted in the county.
To request an absentee ballot in Pasco or for more information, visit www.pascovotes.com or call (800) 851-8754. For Hillsborough, visit www.votehillsborough.org or call (813) 612-4180.
