If you plan to vote by absentee ballot, listen up: The elections office (at least in Orange County) started mailing absentee ballots about a week ago. It is the longest ballot in county history so make sure you include all 3 pages of the ballot into the return envelope.

Election officials are urging voters to complete the ballot and follow the instructions for mailing, especially signing the envelope.

If you do not sign the envelope, your vote will not be counted.

To make sure your ballot arrives at the elections office in a timely manner and be counted, put the appropriate postage on the envelope: 65 cents. If you are mailing it from your home or office, you can use two, first-class stamps on the envelope.

Absentee ballots, also known as Vote-By-Mail ballots, are one of three convenient methods of voting available to voters. Voters can also cast their ballots during early voting periods or at their polling site on Election Day.

Ballots are mailed only upon request by the voter or their designee.  Requests can be made online at www.orangecountyvotes.com or by calling (407) 836-VOTE(8683).  The deadline for requesting an absentee ballot be mailed is Wednesday, October 31
at 5:00 p.m.

© Orlando Community News, 2012