With Tuesday, November 3 just around the corner, many students are wondering how to safely vote during a pandemic. While early voting in the state of Florida runs from October 24 to October 31, there is a third option for those who would rather stay at home. Mail-in voting is a simple and accessible way to vote, using just a stamp—typically provided by New College Democrats on campus. Here’s how to make voting this election as easy as possible.

If you are a Florida resident, you can register to vote, update any relevant voting information or just check the status of your registration at https://registertovoteflorida.gov. 

The deadline to request a mail-in ballot is 5 p.m. on the tenth day before the election, which falls on October 24 this year. You can request a mail-in ballot in numerous ways, the simplest is through an online application at your county’s Supervisor of Elections website—for Sarasota County, at www.sarasotavotes.com, or for Manatee County at www.votemanatee.com. Rather place a phone call? For Sarasota County voters, contact (941) 861–8600 and for Manatee County voters, contact (941) 741–3823.

Instructions to vote are clearly marked in your mailed ballot: just attach a stamp and drop in a mailbox after completing.