Submitted by Suanne Z. Thamm
Reporter – News Analyst
September 28, 2018 1:11 p.m.
This year’s election ballot will be an exceptionally long one, calling for many decisions. In addition to the offices that will appear at the top of the ballot, voters will need to read through a series of sometimes confusing proposed Constitutional Amendments. [For a discussion of these amendments and what YES votes would mean, read the last three Weekly Columns submitted by Fernandina Beach City Manager Dale Martin.]
At the very end of the ballot, you will find municipal elections. For local residents, these races have the most critical impact on day-to-day government services.
It will take thought and time to plow through all the questions on the ballot. Those voters who are not prepared may spend a lot of time at the polls reading all the amendments before marking their ballots. This could lead to long lines, both at early voting locations and on Election Day itself.
For these reasons, we are strongly recommending that voters consider requesting a mail ballot this year.
How to request a mail ballot
Any registered Nassau County voter is entitled to a Vote by Mail (absentee) ballot.
You may request a ballot in person, by mail, by phone, fax, e-mail or by using the Vote by Mail Ballot Request Form on the Nassau County Supervisor of Elections website. The deadline to request a ballot be mailed to you is 5 p.m., local time, on the sixth day before Election Day.
Complete information on Vote by Mail requirements, instructions and answers to many questions about the process may be found on the Nassau County Supervisor of Elections website.
For a mail ballot to be counted, the envelope must be properly signed and received in the Elections Office by 7:00 p.m. local time.
Vicki Cannon, Nassau County Supervisor of Elections, stresses the importance of tracking your mail ballot after you send it in. Instructions on the website will help you do that.
Important Election Dates
October 2: Elections Office begins sending out mail ballot requests
October 9: Deadline for Voter Registration for November 6 General Elections
October 26 through November 3: Early Voting at select polling places (see website)
November 6: Election Day