The Collier County Supervisor of Elections is warning voters not to trust the post office to get their ballot in on time.
The warning comes less than 12 days out from the election however, the post office is promising they are making election mail a priority.
Thursday at 5 p.m. was the deadline to request a mail ballot. Election Supervisor Melissa Blazier said anyone who still has a mail ballot should take it to a drop box rather than a mailbox.
“The USPS has been very slow, so if you're in town and can hand deliver your vote by mail ballot, that is always the best way,” Blazier said.
Lee County voter Sally Troutman delivered her mail ballot by hand on Thursday, and she said it gave her peace of mind.
“That is the only way I would do it. I don't trust the mail. It makes me feel great. I'm glad I voted,” Troutman said.
Cherie Johnson-Megia said she felt more comfortable delivering her ballot to the election center.
“I’ve done it in the mail in the past, but with everything going on, I feel more comfortable if it is in person,” she said.
Blazier warns the mail is risky 12 days out from the election.
“The post office is working through the backlog from both Helene and Milton, where they were shut down for several days,” Blazier said.
The postal service responded to NBC2, saying, “Postal service operations teams have worked around the clock to restore operations from the impacts of Hurricane Milton, which are now minimal."
“The post office says give them a week, but I know I mailed sample ballots out to all registered voters last Tuesday on the 15th, and I still have voters telling me they have not received them,” Blazier said.
Lee County Supervisor of Elections Tommy Doyle said he spoke Thursday with the USPS, and he felt confident that election mail was being handled in a timely manner.
Doyle was not willing to sound the alarm just yet.
“You need to mail it seven days before the election to make sure it gets here in time,” Doyle stated.
Election Day is November 5.