Broward Elections Official Urges Voters to Drop Off Ballots as Midterms Loom
With early voting ending Monday, officials in South Florida warn that mailed ballots face a strict 7 p.m. deadline on election night, prompting a rush to physical drop boxes.
By Grace Sullivan ·
Voters in Broward County, Florida, faced a tight deadline on Monday as they rushed to submit mail-in ballots before the last day of early voting. The urgency stems from a strict cutoff: ballots must reach the Supervisor of Elections office by 7 p.m. on Tuesday, the day of the midterm election. Because the time window for postal delivery has effectively closed, many residents turned to in-person drop boxes to ensure their votes are counted.
Leonard Lowe, who returned from abroad on Sunday, chose to drop off his ballot on Monday to avoid the risk of postal delays. He described the process as a convenient alternative to voting at a polling place on election day. His decision reflects a growing trend among residents who wanted to secure their participation in the race for governor and a key Senate seat without waiting until Tuesday.
Joe Scott, the Broward Supervisor of Elections, advised voters against mailing their ballots at this late stage. "At this point, it is definitely too late to mail it," Scott said. He emphasized that the physical arrival of the envelope, not the postmark, determines eligibility. "It has to reach our office by 7 p.m. on election night, so do not mail it. Bring it in person and drop it off," he added.
Scott encouraged voters to verify their ballot status through the Broward County Supervisor of Elections website. The online portal allows users to enter their name, date of birth, and address digits to view specific details, including the current status of their mail-in vote. This digital check provides a layer of security for those who mailed their ballots earlier in the week and are now waiting for confirmation.
While candidates continue to campaign across South Florida in the final hours before the vote, election workers have been busy processing the influx of dropped-off envelopes. The push to finalize mail-in votes occurred as voting equipment was being transported to polling places across the region. The focus now shifts to the counting process that will determine the outcome of the state's pivotal races.
