What does the new president of the Florida Supervisors of Elections think of vote by mail?

Hillsborough County Supervisor of Elections Craig Latimer will soon become the next president of the Florida Supervisors of Elections.

The change could have a significant effect on how Florida conducts its November elections.

With the novel coronavirus a looming threat to in-person voting, it may be necessary for the state to conduct its November elections mostly, or even entirely, by mail.

Latimer has long been a supporter of vote-by-mail. In the 2020 March presidential primary, more than half of the electorate in Hillsborough County cast an absentee ballot.

A news release announcing Latimer’s new position noted the Florida Supervisors of Elections has asked state officials for “more flexibility around Vote By Mail and in-person voting.” The group, which represents the 67 county supervisors of elections, promotes fair elections in the state. It is expecting to hear back from the state “soon," the release said.

Latimer was sworn in as president Monday. He will officially take office May 11, the release said.