PASCO COUNTY, Fla. — You won’t have to pay for a stamp if you vote by mail in Pasco County this year.

Pasco County’s Supervisor of Elections announced that voters will not have to pay for return postage if they have a mail-in ballot.

It’s another way elections officials are trying prepare for the election with the pandemic continuing.

Corley says the pandemic has made an already big election year even more hectic.

“We limped through the presidential preference primary in March,” Corley said in an interview. “We lost poll workers. We lost polling places. We don’t know what the landscape is going to be later this year.”

That’s why he is stepping up efforts to promote voting by mail.

For the upcoming primary in August and general election in November, voters won’t pay return postage. They can simply drop their ballot in the mail with no stamp needed.

“This is different. This is during a pandemic. We’re encouraging voters to consider it because for their own health and safety, as well as lines on Election Day,” Corley said.

Pasco County is also trying to get more people to sign up for the mail option.

They’ll be sending new information to voters shortly about how to request a ballot and showing the safety and security of the process.

“If you vote by mail, you won’t wait in line. And your vote will be counted. I guarantee it,” Corley said.

Pasco County residents can request their ballots in person, over the phone, by mail, or online on the Supervisor of Elections’ website.