SUSSEX COUNTY, Del.- The Democratic National Convention starts today in Wilmington which is a sign that election season is off and running.
COVID-19 is changing the way people will cast ballots this year with many deciding to vote by mail. Now, there are concerns the post office might not be able to keep up.
The mail-in ballot controversy is sweeping the nation with many government officials giving their opinions. The bottom line is there will be a presidential election in November and voters need confidence that their selections are accounted for.
In Delaware, you are able to register to vote through Saturday, October 10. All voters receive an application to apply for a mail-in ballot. Ballots must be received by the county's election office by election day. There is no in-person voting before election day. All county election offices will have drop boxes for mail-in ballots.
Delaware's State Election Commissioner Anthony Albense says his agency talks regularly with the postal service and has not heard of any delay or delivery issues in the first state.
"We have very dedicated people here in the region who work with election mail, Albense said. "I have seen no change in that and I have not seen any formality changes in service or timelines on delivery or anything like that"
As for Maryland, Director of Wicomico County Elections Anthony Gutierrez says the board prefers for you to vote by mail-in ballot this year due to COVID-19 concerns. If you are uncomfortable with the possible delay in receiving your mail-in ballot, you can drop it off at the county elections office.
"We are advising to as voters get those ballots in the mail hopefully mid-September," Gutierrez said. "Turn those ballots right around which should give about six weeks. It should be plenty of time for a local ballot to come back to their local office or again if they still have concerns at that point the drop boxes will be available."
Registering to vote in Maryland can be done through Tuesday, October 13 if registering online or by mail. You are able to register and cast your ballot in person on election day at YOUR LOCAL polling place. If voting by a mail-in ballot, it must be postmarked by election day and received by Friday, November 13.
The time is now for voters to plan their vote for the 2020 presidential election.
To "Plan Your Vote" and for information on how to vote in your state visit https://www.nbcnews.com/specials/plan-your-vote-state-by-state-guide-voting-by-mail-early-in-person-voting-election/. It includes important dates and options for voting.
