Florida sees significant drop in vote-by-mail requests

COLLIER COUNTY, Fla. (WINK)—Fewer Florida voters are requesting mail-in ballots as political pushback and new restrictions dampen demand. 

State elections data shows vote-by-mail requests decreased significantly this election cycle. More than four million people requested mail-in ballots during the 2022 primary. This year, it's down to 1.9 million. 

"We've seen a dramatic decrease," said Melissa Blazier, Collier County supervisor of elections.

Blazier points to a 2021 state law that tightened restrictions on vote-by-mail. Senate Bill 90  requires voters to provide Florida drivers license or the last four digits of their Social Security number to request a ballot. 

The law limited access to ballot drop boxes. It requires the boxes to be monitored by election staff instead of security cameras. That means the boxes are only available during hours of operation. 

The legislation also requires voters to request a mail-in ballot every election cycle. A request was previously good for two full election cycles, Blazier said. 

"Folks just assume that they're going to get one because they've gotten one in the past," Blazier said.

Collier County had almost 32,000 fewer vote-by-mail requests for this year's primary compared to 2022, according to the elections office. 

Politics also plays a role. President Donald Trump has opposed vote-by-mail, claiming it's more open to fraud, said Susan MacManus, professor emeritus of political science at the University of South Florida. However, the president actually voted by mail during a March special election in Palm Beach County. 

Blazier emphasized that vote-by-mail is safe and secure. Election staff will review the signature on every mail-in ballot to make sure it matches the signature on record, Blazier said. 

Even so, some people are wary of the process. 

"Always in person for me," said Linda Giordano, a Collier County voter. "I just feel more comfortable. Feel like it's more reliable, safe. I see where my ballots going."

MacManus said fewer people are projected to participate in this year's primary as some polls show rising levels of distrust in America's election system.

A PBS News/Marist poll conducted in March finds two-thirds of Americans say they are confident their state or local government will run a fair and accurate election. That is the lowest it's been since Marist first asked this question in 2020.

The deadline has already passed to request a mail-in ballot for the August primary. But voters have until Oct. 22 to request one for the general election.