Currently in Florida, Democrats are returning their ballots in numbers leading Republicans according to Vote Hub. To date, Democrats are leading Republicans 43.8% to 34 %. Voters who are not affiliated with any party make up 19.6% of the voters who have returned their absentee ballots. Voters associated with other parties are 2.6% of that total. Palm Beach has the most ballots returned, followed by Okaloosa, Miami-Dade, Clay and Monroe counties.
Absentee ballots are different from vote-by-mail ballots. Traditionally, absentee ballots are used by voters who legitimate reasons why they cannot physically be present at their polling place on Election Day. Reasons can include being out of the state, illness, or military service. Some states require the absentee voter to show proof they are not able to make it to the polls. Those reasons must be deemed valid by the state’s voting rules. Vote-by-mail ballots are mailed to eligible voters, regardless of whether they plan to be absent on Election Day. In states that offer vote-by-mail, every voter has the option to cast their ballot through the mail without needing to provide a reason.
