I've heard from people who are definitely concerned about vote-by-mail due to Donald Trump's deliberate sabotage of the USPS. But I want to assure you: voting by mail is safe and secure. https://omaha.com/news/state-and-regional/govt-and-politics/nebraskans-have-plenty-of-options-if-theyre-worried-about-postal-delays-secretary-of-state-says/article_8c22be42-8a19-55cb-9f87-1d9297261b81.html#tracking-source=home-top-story-1

139 million people voted in the 2016 election. Even during the coronavirus conditions, the USPS handles 350-400 million pieces of mail per day, according to the National Association of Letter Carriers.

That's not to say there aren't concerns. Local election officials have to be prepared for a surge in ballot requests, and voters have to get their ballots in early enough to be counted.

This is part of Trump's sabotage: to slow things down just enough that ballots sent close to election day won't be counted.

As a voter, here are some things you can do:

- Request your ballot now. Don't delay. The sooner you request, the sooner you will get your ballot. In Nebraska, ballots will be mailed beginning on September 28. But you can request any time up to October 23.

- Once you get your ballot, fill it out and send it back in or return it to a county election drop box (listed here: https://www.votedouglascounty.com/early_voting.aspx#dropboxes). If you get your ballot or still have your ballot with less than a week before election day, the drop box will be the better option.

- Your ballot *must* be received by November 3 at 8 PM in order to be counted.

- DON'T FORGET TO SIGN YOUR ENVELOPE. Your vote will not be counted if you do not sign the voter oath on the back of the envelope.

- Check your ballot status at https://www.votercheck.necvr.ne.gov/voterview 

- If you're concerned about voting by mail and would rather vote in person, you can vote early at the election commission office beginning October 5. Note that this is not guaranteed if conditions worsen. In-person early voting was cancelled during the May primary.

- Your regular polling place will be open on November 3, from 8 am to 8 pm. If you requested an early ballot, you CANNOT return that ballot to your regular polling place, it must be returned to the election commission office or one of the secure drop boxes.

- If you requested a ballot but never received it, you can vote provisionally at your polling place.

- If you aren't registered to vote or need to update your voter registration, you have until October 23 to do so. You can register to vote online here: https://www.nebraska.gov/apps-sos-voter-registration/

There are 80 Days Left until November 3. Let's make them count.