I wanted to share updated in-person early vote and vote by mail numbers. Democrats voted in record numbers ahead of Election Day, showing that Floridians are energized and committed to defeating Donald Trump in 2020.

Here are the numbers as of Monday — with additional vote-by-mail ballots returned today and overseas mail ballots still to be counted, the margins over 2016 will increase:

• 141,560 more Democrats voted by mail this year than they did in 2016
• 74,031 more Democrats voted early in person this year than they did in 2016

Though we don’t yet have election day turnout numbers, the novel coronavirus pandemic has made it abundantly clear that our voting methods need to be modernized to evolve with the changing world. Our government should be expanding programs like vote-by-mail so people can vote securely and safely in their own home.

In 2018, the Florida Democratic Party enrolled nearly 500,000 new Democrats into vote-by-mail. In response, Republicans in the state legislature limited the window of time in which voters can enroll in vote-by-mail. We need to revisit those changes, expanding vote-by-mail, not limiting it.

The Florida Democratic Party is committed to ensuring every voice is heard and every vote counts. As we move toward the general election, we will continue to advocate for safe and secure voting methods such as vote by mail.