Requests for absentee ballots have surged in Duval County over the last 10 days, causing a backlog in mailings. Election officials see this as good news, and a sign turnout could reach 80 percent.
More than 94,000 ballots have been requested, 45,000 recently. So there is a lot of work underway to get those out.
"We got a three-day to one-week backup in getting those done," Supervisor of Elections Jerry Holland said. "We will complete that this week, so they will get out in enough time for voters to vote and mail it back in. That is our concern, is to make sure we get it in their hands in enough time so we can get it back by 7 o'clock Election Day."
As of Wednesday morning, 26,000 ballots have been returned.
The canvassing board at the Duval County Supervisor of Elections Office has been looking at absentee ballots, making sure voters' signatures match those on file and checking for other problems less than two weeks away from Election Day.
In many cases, voters forgot to sign the absentee ballot envelope. None of those votes will be counted.
Already 169 votes have been rejected, 91 of those because the signatures don't match what voters signed on the envelope, and 78 from voters who didn't sign the envelope.
"The biggest rejection that is most disappointing is when a voter will take the time to address it, put the return address on there, fill out the ballot, do everything and forget to sign it," Holland said.
Thomas Beach turned in his absentee ballot Wednesday and said he isn't worried about mistakes.
"I read it before I turn it in," he said. "My son comes and checks everything."
Yullen Broom voted absentee Wednesday.
"I did not want to worry about lines, and I am going to be out of town next week, so I wanted to come in and make sure my vote was counted," Broom said.
Those who requested an absentee ballot can track it online by going to the Supervisor of Elections Office website and clicking on the icon on the homepage that reads, "Track My Ballot."
It won't say if a ballot has been rejected.
"Take the time, read everything, make sure you sign it," Holland said.
If there is an 80 percent turnout in Duval County, that would 3 percent higher than the last presidential election.
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