NORFOLK, Va. - Norfolk business owner Andrea Bear decided voting by mail would be the best option during the coronavirus pandemic. She did exactly that by mailing it off in September, but decided to take the extra step of tracking it to make sure it was counted.
The screenshot Bear provided of her online Ballot Scout never advanced beyond September 24, even into the month of October. After a couple of calls and emails to the Norfolk Registrar's Office, she was told to vote in person, which she did - as according to Ballot Scout, her ballot was never received.
The experience has left her perplexed, she said.
"I was doing it early enough," Bear told News 3. "The biggest takeaway is don't just assume it landed safely - if it matters to you enough, make sure it landed."
Bear said the Norfolk Registrar's Office was extremely helpful, and advised her of the status of her ballot every step of the way.
She thinks that if anyone who mailed in a ballot has any doubt about whether it was received or not, they should track it online to be sure it's been received, and explore their options before Election Day.
To check your ballot's status, click here.
