BELTON, TX — Voting by mail can worry some, and with an exceptional number of absentee and ballot by mail requests this year, there are thousands choosing to skip the polls.
Interim Bell County Elections Administrator Matthew Dutton says he always hears about worries revolving around sending your filled ballot out via mail.
He also reassures everyone that there's no need to be scared about sending your ballot back because there are other options for you.
"They can actually bring it here, to the elections office in Belton, and we'll have someone here at the front," Dutton said.
All you need is your ID so election officials can match your signature, and you're good to go.
You can also bring it by from the minute you receive your ballot in the mail up until November 3rd.
"It's easier on the public, it's easier on us, it's easier on the ballot board when they can come in and verify signatures it just helps everyone out," Dutton said.
Although, some still rather to vote in person, like John Danforth who never misses his chance to cast his vote.
"It's my right to vote, so I need to use it," Danforth said.
He's never wanted to vote by mail because of the worry it might be tampered with.
Danforth calls it a feeling of accomplishment when voting in-person.
"To me, it makes it seem more legitimate," Danforth said. "It's seems like it'll count if you go there and vote."
For those who don't have the option to bring in their mail-in or absentee ballot in person, or even go to the polls, Dutton reminds us that he has full confidence in their local post office.
"Especially during deadlines, they'll call us just let us know hey we got an extra shipment in," Dutton said. "We have stuff for you, we can bring it to you, you can come pick it up. They're very helpful."
Some people choose to ship their mail priority, you can also use Fed Ex or UPS. Some even put their ballot in a manila envelope for additional secrecy.
Both McLennan and Bell County election offices say they have upwards of 10,000 ballot-by mail and absentee voters this year.
