Fewer Florida voters request mail-in ballot compared to 2022 midterms
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Workers load ballots onto trucks bound for the Postal Service in 2022. Photo: Joe Cavaretta/South Florida Sun Sentinel
Far fewer Floridians have received mail-in ballots this election after a new state law changed how often voters need to request them.
Why it matters: That could spell bad news for Democrats, who are seeing the biggest decline in absentee ballots so far this cycle.
By the numbers: Politico reports that 46% fewer Florida voters are in line to receive a mail-in ballot compared to the 2022 midterms, according to the latest state data available.
- Just about 2.23 million voters have asked for absentee ballots for this year's elections, compared to 4.11 million ahead of the 2022 primary, the outlet reported.
Catch up fast: Gov. Ron DeSantis signed an election law in 2021 that requires voters to request new mail-in ballots every election cycle, instead of every two.
- As a result, all of Florida's standing mail-in ballot requests expired after the 2022 elections, instead of carrying over to this November's presidential election.
Stunning stat: About 868,000 fewer Democrats are expected to receive mail-in ballots this year, compared to a drop of about 506,000 requests for the Republican Party, per Politico.
Zoom in: The Miami-Dade Elections Department, which began sending out ballots this month, tells Axios its initial ballot numbers are down 45% compared to 2022.
- The department's initial mail out this month was 215,000, compared to 392,000 in July 2022 and 332,000 in July 2020.
In Broward County, the supervisor of election's office announced that 200,000 mail-in ballots were sent out this week, or about one-third the number requested for the 2020 election.
What they're saying: Florida Democratic Party chair Nikki Fried said the new state law amounts to "voter suppression."
- "What did you think was going to happen when Republicans canceled all ballot requests?" she told Politico in a statement. "So many voters are expecting ballots that aren't coming."
The other side: At the time, DeSantis said the new law – which also placed restrictions on ballot drop boxes and ballot collection – increases transparency in the state's election process.
- "Elections should be free and fair, and these changes will ensure this continues to be the case in the Sunshine State," he said in a news release.
FYI: The deadline to register to vote or change your party affiliation for the Aug. 20 primary elections is July 22, and the deadline to request a mail-in ballot is Aug. 8.
- For the Nov. 5 general election, register by Oct. 7 and request a mail-in ballot by Oct. 24.
Miami-Dade voters can renew their mail-in ballot requests online here, in person or by calling 305-499-8444.
Broward voters can go here, renew in person or call 954-357-7055