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Tampa woman helps neighbors so their mail-in ballots can get counted

Posted at 2:47 PM, Oct 06, 2020
and last updated 2020-10-06 18:18:45-04

TAMPA, Fla. — Many Floridians are expected to vote by mail for the first time in November because of coronavirus concerns. One Tampa woman is making sure her neighbors' ballots get counted.

“I just want to help. I think everybody’s in a place right now where they want to try and help. This pandemic and political atmosphere are so tricky to navigate,” Kim Fisk explains.

Fisk is taking her civic duty one step further. She is giving a ride to anyone needing to drop-off a mail-in ballot at any of the four curbside locations in Hillsborough County.

“I want to make sure everybody has that right and if I can take just six people then that means everything,” she continued.

Fisk, who lost her job during the pandemic, thought this was a way to do something positive during a time of uncertainty. She says it’s never been more vital for every voice to be heard.

“People's fears about elections being tampered and voting, ballots being tampered with. I think it’s just left everybody in a big quandary as to how this is going to work efficiently,” Fisk said.

The Hillsborough County Supervisor of Elections said that the mail voting system is safe.

"That voter has to sign an oath on the back of that envelope, and when we get that back we actually compare that signature to signatures we have on file for the voter, to make sure we have a good signature. If it doesn’t match or they forget to sign it there’s a cure process,” said Craig Latimer.

RECOMMENDED: Florida voter registration deadline extended to 7 p.m. Tuesday after website problems Monday night

Your ballot must be received no later than 7 p.m. on election day for it to count.