HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, FL- Voting agencies are pushing for a vote by mail during the pandemic, but there is a clear distinction on voting preferences between generations regarding the upcoming Presidential election.
The younger generations are sceptical about submitting mail-in ballots amidst United States Postal Service budget cuts and slowdowns. On the contrary, the older generation and those who have depended on the absentee ballot option in the past are confident in the system.
“It (mail-in voting) has become so politicized that I don’t trust the process,” said Glynnda Parker, Hillsborough County mom of four.
President Trump’s claims have led to a heightened distrust. He said, “the USPS is the most corrupt and anti-American way of voting,” and will lead to fraudulent results. The current Postmaster General, Louis DeJoy, is a financial supporter of Trump and has made significant cuts since his appointment in May of 2020. He has cut down on overtime pay and other efforts to save money at the expense of on-time delivery.
These claims have led to uncertainty for many citizens. “I believe a lot of votes won’t be counted,” said China Bostick, a 26-year-old Tampa resident.
The initial reason for the increase and push for a vote by mail was to promote safety during the COVID-19 pandemic, but Trump’s words and DeJoy’s actions caused some citizens to speculate. Some even question the motive behind the push for mail-in voting during the pandemic.
“It seems sketchy that they are pushing for mail-in voting all the while encouraging businesses to open up,” said 22-year-old Niccolos Mora. “They’re encouraging citizens to go out shopping but discouraging in-person voting because of Corona.”
On the other hand, the older generation is more comfortable with a vote by mail while taking extra precautions.
“We are in the midst of a pandemic, and more people are fearful of being among large crowds,” says Sharon Smith of Wesley Chapel, FL. “It is a way of staying safe and healthy, while still exercising a right that was… fought for by the blood, sweat, and tears of our ancestors.”
Some voters, like Smith, value the opportunity of safely voting from home in society’s current state. In the middle of the pandemic, Hillsborough County’s primary voters turned to mail-in ballots as a safe alternative to cast their vote, avoiding long lines and closed-in spaces. Craig Latimer, Hillsborough’s supervisor of elections, reports 68% of casted votes in the August Primaries were submitted via absentee ballot compared to 45% in 2018’s primaries.
Hillsborough County absentee ballots were submitted one of three ways; they may have been mailed in, dropped off at the elections office, or dropped into a secured box at any early voting location.
“I, myself, am taking my ballot to the polling site to drop it off in the ‘ballot drop off’ box,” said Marcella Steele, minister of music and resident of Brandon, FL. “It’s the BEST CHOICE of all!”
Others are following strict guidelines to make sure their absentee ballot is counted.
“It is important to sign and date your sealed envelope, making sure your signature is close to the one on your driver’s license,” said Tampa grandmother, Beverly Brown. She plans to also submit her ballot at a ballot drop off box, trusting that “they are closely monitored and extremely secure.”
Some citizens who have been casting their ballots by mail for years do not allow rumors to discourage them from voting in the upcoming election.
“I have been voting by mail since 2000 when my wife became ill and could not go to the polls,” said Robert Wright, an 83-year-old native of Tampa, FL. “Americans… who are unable to get to the poles have been voting by mail, and there were NEVER any claims against it until 45 got afraid and started making unfounded accusations of voter fraud.”
Political analysts believe President Trump is imploding these accusations to deter citizens from casting their votes (NPR 2020).
Furthermore, Hillsborough County citizens seem determined to cast their votes. The younger generation is drawn to the polls while the older generation will favor submitting absentee ballots by mail or drop off box. It will be interesting to see how the USPS will handle this election and budget cuts that have already been put in place.
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