Submitted by Vicki P. Cannon
Nassau County, FL Supervisor of Elections
Over the past few weeks, we have been receiving a lot of questions about the security of voting systems and potential voter fraud in the upcoming General Election. I greatly appreciate citizens who contact our office to get factual information on the election process and am providing you with answers to many of the questions our office has been receiving, as follows:
How do you verify voters when they register to vote?
In Florida, as citizens register to vote, their information is entered into the Florida Voter Registration System (FVRS) and is electronically cross-checked and verified with the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles and/or the Social Security Administration (SSA) before becoming a verified voter.
Once registered, each county’s voter registration records are electronically cross-checked against the SSA, Department of Health-Vital Statistics and a consortium of 37 other states for deceased matches, and/or against the Department of Corrections and County Clerk records for felony convictions and for voters who have been adjudicated mentally incapacitated with respect to voting. When it is confirmed that a voter is deceased, has been convicted of a felony or adjudicated as mentally incapacitated, they are removed from the “active” voter registration database.
How do you verify that a voter is whom they claim to be when they go to vote?
In Florida, we have a photo and signature identification requirement for voters who vote at early voting sites and their polling place on Election Day. There are twelve acceptable forms of photo identification from which to choose. If the photo identification presented does not include a signature, the voter will be asked to provide an additional form of identification that has their signature.
If a voter does not have proper identification when they go to vote, they will be permitted to vote a provisional ballot and sign a certificate. The provisional ballot is counted if the signature on the certificate compares to the signature(s) in the voter’s record.
If a voter’s eligibility cannot be determined when they go to vote, they will be permitted to vote a provisional ballot and have until 5 p.m. on the second day after Election Day to provide evidence of their eligibility. The Canvassing Board will determine whether or not to count the ballot based on the evidence presented.
What should I do if I suspect that someone is committing voter fraud?
Report it to the Florida Division of Elections on the Voter Fraud Hotline at 1-877-868-3737, or contact our office at 904-491-7500.
Is the voting equipment subject to hacking?
In Florida, elections are programmed on stand-alone computers that are not connected to the internet. In Nassau County, the election is programmed in the Tabulation Room with an access control security system and cameras recording all activity. Additionally, a public logic and accuracy test is performed before early voting begins to ensure all ballots are tabulating accurately and that all types (early voting, vote-by-mail and Election Day) are reported correctly on the results reports. In Florida, all counties use paper ballots with the exception of some counties that use ADA accessible touchscreen voting equipment for persons with disabilities.
There was an article published which stated that Florida uses “Smartmatic” equipment from a company affiliated with George Soros. Is that true?
According to the Florida Division of Elections, no county in Florida uses the “Smartmatic” voting equipment, which is allegedly owned by George Soros.
Do vote-by-mail ballots count when there are no close races?
Yes, all ballots are tabulated. In fact, early voting and vote-by-mail ballots are the first to be reported on our website immediately after 7 p.m. on Election Day.
The following are a few reminders to ensure an easy voting experience:
Make sure your address is current in your voter record. You can review your record on our website (click My Voter Status or My Voter Record) or contact our office at 904.491.7500 to verify or update your information.
Learn about candidates and issues and mark your sample ballot to use as a reference when you vote.
If voting in person, make sure you have your photo and signature identification with you.
If voting by mail, make sure that you don’t forget to sign your Voter’s Certificate envelope before returning your ballot, and that your signature is current in your voter record. Ballots must be received in the Elections’ Office by 7 p.m. on November 8, 2016. The USPS recommends that ballots be mailed at least one week before Election Day to ensure their safe, timely delivery.
Please contact our office at 904.491.7500 or visit our website at www.VoteNassau.com for more information.
In conclusion, Florida has a very secure voter registration system, election equipment certification process, and voter ID laws to provide for a fair, secure and transparent election process. I cannot speak to what other states have in place to conduct fair, secure and transparent elections in their state, but I am confident in the State of Florida’s system.
Make your voice heard–cast your ballot for the November 8th General Election!
There’s my fishin’ buddy!