PART 3 IN A SERIES: DEBUNKING FLORIDA VOTING MYTHS:
Note: Today's post is the last but most critical in my 3-part Florida Voting Series presenting another voting awareness fact sheet by the Florida Campaign for Change.
A few weeks ago I began receiving a number of email forwardings from friends and associates which contained inaccurate and often wrong information on Florida voting laws. I even heard some local radio stations giving out that same information. My advice is never rely on any voting or legal information you receive in personal email from a friend, co-worker, or family member without checking the facts. Voting emails are normally full of holes, and the Republican Party does a GREAT JOB of sowing false and misleading emails around election time (called "whisper campaigning") because they know that most of US don't bother to check to see if the information is true or not. If Ray Ray sent it, it must be true, right? This year's election is too important for us to rely on forwardings. Just as you shouldn't rely on emails from a friend for medical, legal, or investment advice without first doing your own homework, the same rule of thumb applies to voting. Please double check either with The Great Blog of Kéto, the Florida Campaign for Change, or your local Supervisor Of Elections office whose staff can clarify any misunderstanding of voting rules and laws in short order.
ADDRESS MATCHING AND ID ISSUES:
The law does NOT require that the address on the voter's photo ID match the voter's address on the registration rolls.
The Florida Secretary of State says: "I.D. required and checked at the polls is used solely to confirm the voter's identity. Not to verify the voter's ID number or address."
The law only requires that when a voter registers to vote, the driver's license number (or state ID number or last 4 digits of a social security number) match the number in the government databases. But to be clear, the only people who should be using their SSN number are those that have not been issued a valid and non-expired Florida driver's license or ID card.
If the voter has moved within the STATE since registering in FLORIDA, they may update their address at the polls as long as they are at the precinct associated with their CURRENT home address.
The following ID's can be used at the polls if they have your PICTURE and SIGNATURE: Florida driver's license, Florida ID card, US Passport, Debit/Credit card, Military ID, Student ID, Retirement Center ID, Neighborhood Ass'n ID, and Public Assistance ID. The picture and signature CAN be on two separate forms of ID. For example, if your student ID has a picture and your credit card has your signature--that would be good enough to vote.
CLOTHING:
Voters are allowed to wear ANYTHING they want to the polls. This includes Obama gear (buttons, pins, hats).
EARLY VOTE:
Any registered voter may vote early.
Early voting begins October 20 and ends on November 2 (including WEEKENDS).
Voters may vote at any early voting site in their county where they are registered. Voters must still meet the photo ID and signature requirements.
If they are in line when the early voting location is scheduled to close, they MUST be allowed to vote. UPDATE 10/29/08: Gov. Charlie Crist has just declared "a state of emergency" in Florida, due to the overwhelming number of Floridians eager to cast their votes early. That's why yesterday (10/28/08) he issued an executive order to dramatically expand early voting. Effective immediately, every early voting site in the state will be open from 7am to 7pm through Friday, October 31st, and for a total of 12 hours between 7:00 a.m. on Saturday, November 1st, and 7:00 p.m. on Sunday, November 2nd. To find your Early Vote location now, visit FL.VoteForChange.com and vote early right away. Certain locations may not be open on Sunday. If you have questions about weekend hours at your nearest location or anything else, please call 1-877-235-6226, or contact your county's Supervisor of Elections. The executive order not only extends the Early Vote deadline, it also increases the time that locations are open weekdays to 12 hours a day -- beyond the 8 hours a day mandated by state law.
EX-FELONS:
Ex-felons can vote if their civil rights are restored, and many non-violent felons are restored automatically.
You can check their status online at https://fpcweb.fpc.state.fl.us/.
EXPIRED DRIVER LICENSES:
Florida law requires that a driver's license be "current and valid" to satisfy the registration and early vote/election day requirement.
If a registrant has ONLY an expired Florida driver's license/ID, use the last four digits of their SSN to register them.
IF the registrant only has a restricted or trainer's driver's license, use that number, so long as the restricted license is otherwise current and valid.
REPUBLICAN MAILINGS:
If you hear of people getting strange or confusing mail from Republicans, please contact the voter protection team IMMEDIATELY and collect the mailing from the voter.
SIGNATURES:
Florida law does not require a voter to update his/her signature on file with the county.
It is fine for a county supervisor or other official to request such an update, but they cannot threaten the right to vote if a voter does not respond.
VOTE-BY-MAIL (VBM):
If a voter received a vote-by-mail ballot, s/he can still vote in person, though voting in person is not recommended in this case.
To vote in person after requesting an absentee ballot, the voter must RETURN the vote-by-mail ballot to the voter's precinct or to an early voting site.
If the voter does not have the absentee ballot and the election official cannot confirm that the absentee ballot was returned, the voter will have to vote a provisional ballot (which is not counted until after the election IF the voter's registration information is confirmed).
A voter may also turn in a vote-by-mail ballot at the SOE's office by 7pm on November 4.
The ballot must be received by 7pm on November 4; POSTMARKS DO NOT COUNT.
Anyone is allowed to pick up completed absentee ballots from voters (sealed in their signed envelopes) and deliver them to the Supervisor of Elections, no later than 7pm on election day.
VOTER REGISTRATION:
The First Amendment protects voter registration activity, but the government may place reasonable restrictions.
Registration activities at government buldings may be limited for security reasons or for traffic control.
Registration activities at public parks or beaches may be limited for security reasons so that visitors can enjoy the available recreational space and have personal space.
Since the legal analysis is highly fact intensive, you should call the Florida Campaign for Change if questions arise.
CONCLUSION:
The Florida Democratic Party and Obama for America are working around the clock to make sure people are able to vote and that their vote is counted.
To this end, the campaign has recruited thousands of attorneys and law students to be present at polling sites during early voting and Election Day so that they can help voters.
Link to Florida Voting by Obama Campaign Part 1 of 3: Early Voting
Link to Florida Voting by Obama Campaign Part 2 of 3: Voting by Mail
PART 2 IN A SERIES: VOTING BY MAIL IN FLORIDAVoting by Mail: The Basics
ANY REGISTERED VOTER CAN VOTE BY MAIL! If a voter is not already registered to vote, they must do so before requesting a ballot to vote by mail. Voting by mail is a great way to get our votes in early, to make sure they are counted, and provides an opportunity for those away from home on Election Day to vote. DEADLINES: Legally, the Supervisor of Elections for your county must receive requests for a ballot no later than 5:00 PM on Wednesday, October 29. For our purposes, we are urging all voters to turn in applications by Friday, October 24. Voted ballots must be returned no later than 7:00 PM on Election Day, which is Tuesday, November 4.How to Get a Ballot: How to request a ballot to vote by mail? A voter can request a ballot from their county’s Supervisor of Elections in person, by mail, over the phone, email, or in some cases through the county’s Supervisor of Elections website. To request a ballot, the required information is: Name Address (including zip code) where you live Address (including zip code) where the ballot should be mailed to you Date of birth Florida drivers’ license number (if you have one) SignatureIn addition, providing a telephone number is not required, but is helpful in case any questions arise. Can the voter request a ballot for a family member? YES! You may request a ballot for an immediate family member (spouse, child, parent, grandparent, sibling, or person for whom you are a legal guardian). The request can be made by phone, by mail, in person, email or in some cases through your county Supervisor of Elections website. They must provide the name, address, date of birth, and drivers’ license number (if they have one) both for the person requesting the ballot and for the person the ballot is for. Can the campaign help request a ballot? YES! The campaign may provide voters with ballot request forms, and may return completed forms to the Supervisor of Elections. But the voter must fill out the information on the form himself or herself.How to Vote Your Ballot: How do you vote the ballot? Follow the instructions for marking the ballot to cast your vote. After marking the ballot, place it inside the secrecy envelope, and place the sealed secrecy envelope inside the larger mailing envelope. Be sure to fill out, sign, and date the “Voter’s Certificate” on the back of the mailing envelope. Then mail or deliver the sealed envelope to the address provided. Can someone else deliver completed absentee ballots? YES! A person may deliver completed ballots to election officials on behalf of one or more voters. However, each voter must complete the ballot and sign the “voter’s certificate” for his or her own ballot. Can a voter still vote in person instead? If a voter has already voted by mail, he or she cannot also vote in person. If they have NOT voted their ballot, they may still vote in person. However, after a voter has received a ballot to vote by mail, we are strongly encouraging them to vote with that ballot. If they decide to vote in person (either on Election Day or at an early voting location), they must remember to bring the un-marked mail ballot, and turn it in to the election officials. If the voter cannot find their ballot, they can still vote in person, but there is an increased chance of complications.
Some of my readers may know that I volunteer with Voters Registration as well as Get-Out-the-Vote efforts with the Barack Obama Campaign for Change in Tampa Bay. I became energized to participate earlier this year after watching Obama at his "Rally with Barack Obama" in Tampa, Florida on May 22nd at St Pete Times Forum. I've met several of the field organizers in the Tampa Bay area--each one is responsible for hundreds of volunteers and paid staffers in geographical areas of Florida, and also attended Barack Obama Campaign for Change, Florida HQ Opening in Ybor City (July 16), Downtown Tampa (August 5), and Plant City/Lakeland (October 11, 9am-12pm), and attended debate watch parties for the first time in my life.
When I went to the Campaign for Change organizing meeting last Saturday for people in Lakeland/Plant City, we met at a huge Plant City warehouse called the Ruthvens. There were over 200 people in attendance and the atmosphere was electric. We were Black, White, Hispanic, and everything in between. People walked around talking to new friends that they might not normally interact with on a regular day, bought campaign memorabilia, signed early voting pledges, listened to popular music tracks with Obama messages, read campaign materials and more. About 10am, the meeting started and the field organizer, Max and his staff, Ellie, Sam & Lexi took turns telling their stories about how they got involved with the Obama campaign, running a slideshow, talking about the organizing and field operations, and encouraging volunteers on how important our grass roots efforts are in turning Florida for Obama neighborhood by neighborhood, city by city. We were also given voting information on Early Voting, Florida Voting Myths, GOTV, and Voting by Mail. Since one of my focuses until the Presidential election on November 4 is voter awareness, I thought I would share a series of posts on Florida voting rules, sent by Max our field organizer.
EARLY VOTING IN FLORIDA:
REGISTER TO VOTE if you haven’t already. You can print a form here and mail it in: http://election.dos.state.fl.us/pdf/webappform.pdf If you have a Florida driver’s license, be sure to copy your name and license number onto the form exactly as it appears on the card. Your registration form must be postmarked or delivered by Monday, October 6. Call your Supervisor of Elections before Election Day to be sure you are registered, and to find out where to vote. You can also find your polling place by visiting http://www.voteforchange.com
YOU CAN VOTE BEFORE ELECTION DAY BY EARLY VOTING:
Early voting locations are open from Monday, October 20 until Sunday, November 2. Please http://www.voteforchange.com to find early voting locations in your county.
Voting at an early vote location allows you to vote exactly the same way you vote on election day.
WHAT TO BRING:
Bring your driver’s license or other current identification card showing your picture and your signature. (If your picture ID does not have your signature, show another ID that has your signature). You need this to vote on a regular ballot.
If you do not have a valid picture ID, or if you are not allowed to vote for another reason, you have a right to vote on a “provisional ballot.” Your provisional ballot will be counted if your signature matches your voter registration signature and if you are otherwise eligible to vote. You will fill out and sign a special form provided by the poll officials.
HOW TO VOTE:
You will vote the same ballot you would have voted on Election Day.
Depending on which county you live in, you will vote on a “marksense” paper ballot by either filling in a “bubble” or connecting an arrow. Disabled voters may also vote on a special touch-screen machine.
If you make a mistake when voting your ballot, ask for a replacement. You may receive up to two replacements, or a total of three ballots.
WHY EARLY VOTE?
SHORTER LINES
If you have a problem voting, and need to vote a provisional ballot, you will have more time to fix the problem.
You can vote at any early vote location in your county.
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PART 3 IN A SERIES: DEBUNKING FLORIDA VOTING MYTHS: 
