Increase Access to Vote By Mail

The current public health crisis illustrates why accessible voting is so necessary. Although more people need access to vote by mail during this crisis, plenty of people struggle to get to the polls even under the best of times. In the 2018 General Election, Nearly one-third of Florida’s voters voted by mail, and 1.2%, 32,176 voters, saw their ballots go uncounted.

• Will you mail VBM ballot request forms to every eligible voter?

• Will you provide postage paid VBM envelopes?

• Will you send reminders, such as postcards or text messages, reminding VBM ballot recipients to return their ballots?

Reduce Erroneous VBM Rejections

Recent elections in Florida demonstrate the risks of voting by mail. Despite legislative efforts to reduce the likelihood legitimate mailed ballots will be  rejected, the state’s rejection rate increased during the 2018 General Election. The advocacy community believes the following measures will improve vote-by-mail access and reduce the risks of erroneous rejections. 

• Will you acquire signature matching software to prescreen VBM ballots and subject ballots flagged by the software to human review?

• Will you acquire VBM ballot tracking software that allows text and email notifications?

• Will you establish a multi-step signature verification process where preliminarily rejected ballots are reviewed by secondary teams before rejection?

Increase Access to Early Voting

Early voting endeavors to ensure voting access is equal for those voters with conflicting work and caregiving duties. Black voters, especially, are more likely to vote early. Nearly a third of ballots cast in the 2018 General Election were cast early.

• Will you make early voting available for the entire period allowed under Florida law?

• Will you maintain at least as many early voting locations as were available in Orange during the 2018 General Election (16)?

Ensure Equity in Polling Locations

Florida has been plagued by long wait times on Election Day, and the burden has fallen disproportionately on Florida voters of color. Expansive early and mailed voting will reduce lines, but more must be done to ensure all voters face the same ease in casting their ballot. Moreover, many vote in private or religious buildings. Care must be taken to ensure these voters feel welcome and do not face undue obstacles.

• Will you ensure every polling location has an equitable number of registered voters, voting machines and staff to ensure equal access and reduce lines?

• Will you hold public hearings and invite public comment before closing or relocating any polling place?

• Will you avoid using facilities for polling locations that require voters pass through gates or heightened security protocols?

• Will you prohibit polling locations from posting propaganda, including religious messages, near the voting area?

Facilitate civic engagement by returning citizens

On November 6, 2018, Florida voters passed Amendment 4, amending the Florida Constitution to automatically restore voting rights to people with prior felony convictions, except those convicted of murder or a felony sexual offense, upon completion of their sentences including prison, probation, and parole. Despite the fact Amendment 4 required no implementing legislation, the Florida Legislature passed SB 7066, which prevents individuals from getting their voting rights restored due to unpaid legal financial obligations (LFO).

Current litigation shows the issues with making payment of legal financial obligations a prerequisite to voter registration. 

• Will you demand that the Secretary of State issue fair and clear guidance on registration and voting by individuals who are unable to pay outstanding legal financial obligations?

• Will you refrain from purging voters with unpaid legal financial obligations without giving such voters the opportunity to demonstrate inability to pay?

• Will you demand that the Secretary of State not purge voters with unpaid legal financial obligations without giving such voters the opportunity to demonstrate inability to pay?

Facilitate civic engagement by those in jail or experiencing homelessness

Many Floridians have difficulty accessing the polls on Election Day. Many are attending college away from home, others are living in assisted living homes. Another 28,500 Floridians were experiencing homelessness. More than 50,000 were in jail during the 2018 General Election, most of whom were awaiting trial - not convicted - and eligible to vote. 

• Will you negotiate a memorandum of understanding with the Broward County Sheriff to administer voter registration and vote by mail in the jails?

• Will you negotiate agreements with homeless shelters and service providers in Broward County to administer voter registration and vote by mail for the homeless community?

• What is your plan to facilitate civic engagement by those whose access to polling locations is limited by their circumstances including individuals who are experiencing homelessness, those in jail, college students, and nursing home residents during elections?

Support Universal Voter Registration and Same Day Registration

Currently, Florida law closes voter registration 29 days before the election. This creates an arbitrary bar to voting. Policies like universal voter registration and same day registration break down this barrier, significantly expanding voting rights and participation in elections, especially for historically marginalized groups. 

• Will you support legislation or a constitutional amendment to provide same day registration, allowings voters to register, or update their registration information, on Election Day. This ensures no one is turned away from the polls?

• Will you support legislation or a constitutional amendment to provide universal voter registration, requiring the state to automatically complete new voter registration or update voter registration information whenever a Florida citizen updates their state identification, such as a drivers’ license?