Special drop-off locations for mail ballots available in Collin County

Eligible McKinney voters wanting to ensure their mail-in ballots arrive in time to be counted for the Nov. 3 election can drop them off in person outside the Collin County main election office.

The deadline to apply for a ballot by mail is Oct. 23. To be eligible to vote by mail, voters must meet at least one of four requirements: being away from their county on Election Day and during early voting; being sick or disabled; being 65 years of age or older on Election Day; or being confined in jail but eligible to vote, according to the state.

Collin County election officials set up a drive-thru drop-off location behind the election office at 2010 Redbud Blvd., McKinney.

“We put it around back because it was competing with voters in the front of the building trying to park and vote,” Collin County Elections Administrator Bruce Sherbet said via email. “It really has worked out good because we have a large tent for them to drive through, show ID, sign a roster and hand us their ballot.”

The Collin County drive-thru drop-off location’s hours are:

• 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Oct. 15-16;

• 7 a.m.-7 p.m. Oct. 17;

• 1-6 p.m. Oct. 18;

• 7 a.m.-7 p.m. Oct. 19-24;

• 1-6 p.m. Oct. 25;

• 7 a.m.-7 p.m. Oct. 26-30;

• 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Nov. 2; and

• 7 a.m.-7 p.m. Nov. 3.

Sherbet noted the county can only accept a voter’s personal ballot, meaning people cannot deliver another voter’s ballot to the drop-off location.

Ballots can also be sent by mail. They must be postmarked by 7 p.m. on Election Day, Nov. 3, and received no later than 5 p.m. Nov. 4. Ballots can be dropped into the blue mailboxes at any U.S. Postal Service office or can be postmarked by walking into a post office and requesting a stamp. Ballots can also be mailed by FedEx and other reputable carriers.