Vote by mail

Officials should emphasize that option

A TALLAHASSEE DEMOCRAT EDITORIAL

Given that we're just weeks away from the Aug. 31 primary, there's realistically nothing that can be done to restore full confidence to an elections process that is sorely in need of it.

But there is one short-term alternative that can and should be emphasized: voting by mail, also known as voting by absentee.

State and local elections officials, as well as organizations that have protested the handling of the process, especially should emphasize that option in the 15 counties that use touch-screen machines. (None of the 15 are in North Florida.)

It's a viable alternative everywhere, though, which the Department of State has pointed out. But given suspicions about the reliability of touch-screen machines, lack of confidence among people unfamiliar with computer technology and the convenience factor, officials should make it a more prominent feature of their public education efforts.

One need not be out of town to vote by mail; it's an option available to every registered voter. And mailed ballots have the same weight as other votes. Just call your county elections office and request a mailed ballot in plenty of time before Election Day to receive it, mark your preferences and return it.