From Polling Place to Drop Box- Voting Changes in 2020

During past elections polling places were a common site, yet this year that number decreased dramatically.

Instead, ballot drop boxes could be seen in many locations along with the sight of voters dropping off their filled out ballots.

This change was due to COVID-19. To prevent people from gathering at polling places to cast their vote, officials made it safe and easy to drop off a ballot in a secure location.

Skylar Karle used this method to vote in the 2020 election, “It took off the stress of having to be constantly reminded like, oh my gosh I have to go turn in my mail-in ballot to the mail by this date. It was just a nicer experience to be able to say okay I can take my time voting, learning the propositions, and where my stances were on them,” said Karle.

Some preferred to drop their filled out ballot at a polling place instead of mailing it in or dropping it in a ballot drop box.

Even though it was different than what he envisioned, first time voter Adam Carter still made a trip to the polling place, “I expected to go there and write all my stuff, and all the people I wanted, but I wrote it here at home and then I just took it to the poll and I just gave it to them,” said Carter.

Whether you cast your ballot by mail, ballot drop box, dropped it off at a polling place, or in person, you can track your ballot. Just visit Where’s My Ballot online.