A new law wipes out standing AB requests every two years
There are city of Miami voters who are waiting for absentee or mail-in ballots in the special election this month to fill the vacancy in District 2. Only they won’t get it if they don’t ask.
Only a third of the typical number of ABs went out to D2 voters on Monday.
This is because of Gov. Ron DeSantis‘ voter suppression vís-a-vís a new law that purges the vote-by-mail requests after every election cycle. Previously, voters only had to request ABs every two election cycles.
According to Miami Dade Deputy Supervisor of Elections Suzy Trutie, 5,455 absentee or vote-by-mail ballots were sent to Miami District 2 voters Monday for the special election that ends Feb. 27. That’s far short of the 16,000 vote-by-mail requests that were previously on file in District 2.
Because those were among the 438,000 vote-by-mail ballot requests in Miami-Dade County that expired Jan. 1.
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“Since this is a very convenient way for voters to cast their ballot, the Elections Department began a comprehensive outreach campaign to encourage voters to renew their request as soon as possible,” Trutie told Political Cortadito. “Many voters will have municipal elections this year and immediate renewal will ensure they receive their ballot for the upcoming election.”
The four largest cities in Miami-Dade — Miami, Hialeah, Miami Beach and Homestead — will have elections in November. “As a voter’s municipal election approaches, a letter will be mailed to the address on file, as well as a phone call, text and follow up email,” Trutie said.
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That’s one of the things the election department is trying to do to restock the list of standing absentee ballot requests. Outreach began in December and will continue through 2024 “to educate voters about the expiration and encourage renewal,” Trutie said.
The department has updated information on its website and sent direct emails to more than 292,000 voters, she said, adding that they also advertise, post frequently on social media and work with municipal clerks and community groups.
“Through these efforts, as of today, more than 35,000 voters have renewed their vote-by-mail request,” Trutie said.
Voters can request absentee or mail-in ballots here.
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