Starting with the 2022 election cycle, the Monroe County Supervisor of Elections Office is offering a new accessible vote-by-mail system called Enhanced Ballot. Enhanced Ballot allows voters with disabilities to interact with vote-by-mail ballots using screen reader technology.
Using Enhanced Ballot, voters can mark the choices on a ballot without assistance from another person. After marking the ballot, the voter will need to print it out, seal it in an envelope sent to by the elections office, and return it to by mail or secure ballot intake station (also known as a drop box).
In addition to voting by mail, you have the option to vote at any early voting site in the county, or at your election day polling place. All early voting sites and polling places have accessible voting equipment.
How do I sign up for Enhanced Ballot?
If you want to use Enhanced Ballot, you can sign up using any of these options:
• Use the online vote-by-mail ballot request www.keyselections.org/Voters/Vote-by-Mail-Request . When you request your ballot, you have the option to ask for an accessible version.
• Call us at (305) 292-3416.
• Email us at info@keys-elections.org.
Once the elections office receives your request, the office will create an account for you in the Enhanced Ballot system.
How do I access my ballot?
Your ballot will be available on the Enhanced Ballot website starting about one month before election day. Once your ballot is available, the office will send you an email with the login information, and a return envelope you must use to send your marked vote-by-mail ballot back to the Elections Office.
Once you are on the Enhanced Ballot webpage, select the “Access My Ballot” link. Upon activating the link, you will be asked to enter your first name, last name and date of birth. You will also be asked for your four-digit Access PIN, which will be emailed by election staff once your ballot is ready. Once you have entered all the information, select the “Sign In” button.
How do I mark my ballot?
Once you are signed into Enhanced Ballot, select the ballot for the upcoming election. Your official ballot will appear. Follow the instructions on the Enhanced Ballot site to navigate your ballot and select the candidates for whom you want to vote. Once you have finished selecting candidates, print your ballot.
How do I prepare the return envelope?
The elections office will mail you an official return envelope and privacy folder. You must use the return envelope to send your ballot back to the Elections Office. After you have printed your ballot, wrap the privacy folder around your ballot. Then, insert the ballot and privacy folder into the return envelope.
If you also received a physical vote-by-mail ballot, do not include it along with the ballot you print. If you enclose more than one ballot in an envelope, neither can be counted.
You must now sign the voter certificate on the return envelope. The certificate is an oath. It is very important that you sign your envelope. If you do not sign it, your ballot cannot be counted.
Once you have signed the envelope, close and seal it. You are now ready to return your ballot.
What is the deadline to return my ballot?
The elections office must receive your ballot by 7 p.m. on election day. If it is not received by then, it cannot be counted.
How do I return my ballot?
You can return your ballot by mail or by dropping it off. If you want to return your ballot by mail, simply place the signed and sealed envelope into a mailbox. The United States Postal Service recommends that you mail your ballot at least five days in advance of election day. You can also enclose your ballot and signed certificate envelope in a separate envelope and send by USPS Priority Mail, FedEx, UPS, or another carrier. If you do this, please send the package to our physical address at 530 Whitehead St. #101, Key West, FL 33040.
You can also drop off your voted ballot at the elections office during business hours, or at secure ballot intake stations (also known as drop boxes) located at each early voting site during early voting hours. You cannot drop off your vote-by-mail ballot at your election-day polling place. However, the poll workers at your polling place can cancel your vote-by-mail ballot. You can then vote in person.
What if there is a problem with my signature?
If the signature on your vote-by-mail ballot envelope is missing or does not match the signature on file in the voter registration system, the elections office will try to contact you to correct the problem. You will need to complete a vote-by-mail Ballot Cure Affidavit and send the form to the office along with a photocopy of your ID. The deadline to fix the signature issue is 5 p.m. on the Thursday after election day.
What if I have more questions or need assistance?
If you have any questions, please contact the Monroe County Elections Office at 305-292-3416 or info@keys-elections.org.
