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FGCU Political Science professor gives advice for voting by mail in 2020 election

Expert advice for voting by mail to secure your ballot in 2020 election
Posted at 7:51 PM, Oct 21, 2020
and last updated 2020-10-21 19:51:41-04

CAPE CORAL, Fla. — Due to the pandemic, millions across the country have cast their vote by mail in the 2020 election.

Lee County is already reporting it has received more than 150,000 mail-in ballots.

Political experts say the volume of mailed ballots could present problems, especially with common errors made by first-time voters.

Peter Bergerson is a political science professor at Florida Gulf Coast University.

He says incorrect and incomplete mail-in ballots could have a huge impact on an election.

"In areas where the vote is very close between the two candidates, the outcome of who wins may be determined by these questionable signatures and ballots.”

Bergerson says he isn't worried about Florida's election system, but encourages voters to track their mail-in ballot.

According to the U.S. Election Assistance Commission, more than 300,000 votes by mail got rejected in the last presidential election.

Their 2016 survey found the most common reasons were a non-matching signature, no signature, and a late ballot.

To find the EAC survey, click here.

To find current election results in Lee County, click here.