[NFBF-L] voting by mail link
Kaye Baker
kaye.j.zimpher at gmail.com
Fri Jul 14 16:34:38 UTC 2023
Some of the info you shared was an image that can not be read by a screen reader. I just thought you should know.
Thanks for sharing though.
From: NFBF-L <nfbf-l-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of MARILYN BALDWIN via NFBF-L
Sent: Friday, July 14, 2023 12:32 PM
To: NFB of Florida Internet Mailing List <nfbf-l at nfbnet.org>
Cc: MARILYN BALDWIN <commmdb at aol.com>
Subject: Re: [NFBF-L] voting by mail link
Thank you Pat. I thought that all people who are blind and low vision should know about the new voting legislation. Voting is one way that we let our elected officials know what we need as citizens living with blindness, including transportation and rehabilitation services here in our state. We all have the right and responsibility to vote, with independent, accessible voting machines, and accessible polling places.
Marilyn Baldwin
Sent from my iPad
On Jul 14, 2023, at 12:15 PM, PLipovsky via NFBF-L <nfbf-l at nfbnet.org <mailto:nfbf-l at nfbnet.org> > wrote:
Hi all.
I thought I would copy and paste the info for those who might have a problem finding it on the web site. It’s quite lengthy, but worth the read.
Vote-by-Mail
Webpage last updated: May 25, 2022
What is Vote-by-Mail
A vote-by-mail ballot refers to a ballot that you request and pick-up or have delivered to you without having to vote at the polls during early voting or on Election Day. A voter must first be registered to vote before he or she can request a vote-by-mail ballot. A request to receive a vote-by-mail ballot covers all elections through the end of the calendar year for the next ensuing regularly scheduled general election unless otherwise indicated to specifically apply to certain elections only within such period. A vote-by-mail ballot cannot be forwarded to an address other than to the address requested. If a vote-by-mail ballot is returned undeliverable, it will cancel a request for future elections and must be renewed.
How to and Who Can Request a Vote-by-Mail Ballot
A request for a vote-by-mail ballot may be made in one of the following ways:
1. By signed writing (e.g., mail, fax, or scanned attachment to an email) to <https://dos.elections.myflorida.com/supervisors/> Supervisor of Elections
2. In person at Supervisor of Elections' office
3. By phone to Supervisor of Elections
The voter's request must include the following information:
1. The voter's name;
2. The voter’s date of birth;
3. The voter’s address (If the request is to mail the ballot to an address other than the one on file, the request must be a signed writing. An exception exists for absent uniformed service voter or an overseas voter seeking a vote-by-mail ballot.);
4. The voter’s Florida driver license, Florida identification card, or last four digits of the elector’s social security number, whichever may be verified in the supervisor’s records;
5. The voter’s signature (if the request is written).
A voter can designate an immediate family member (the designee's spouse or the parent, child, grandparent, grandchild, or sibling of the designee or of the designee's spouse) or the voter's legal guardian to request the ballot on their behalf. The following additional information is required for the request if the request is made on behalf of the voter:
1. The requestor’s address;
2. The requestor’s driver license number, state identification card, or the last four digits of the elector’s social security number (if available);
3. The requestor’s relationship to the voter;
4. The requestor’s signature (if the request is written).
What is the Deadline to Request that a Vote-by-Mail Ballot be Mailed
The deadline to request that a vote-by-mail ballot be mailed is no later than 5 p.m. on the 10th day before the election. A Supervisor of Elections must mail the ballot out within 2 business days after a request. The last day for a Supervisor to be able to mail out a ballot is 8 days before the election.
Who Can Pick Up a Vote-by-Mail Ballot
A voter can pick up their own vote-by-mail ballot at any time once the ballot becomes available, including Election Day.
A voter can designate any person to pick up their ballot. The designee can pick up the ballot no earlier than 9 days before Election Day. A designee is limited to picking up vote-by-mail ballots for two other voters per election (not including their own ballot and the ballots for immediate family members). An immediate family member refers to the designee's spouse or the parent, child, grandparent, grandchild, or sibling of the designee or of the designee's spouse.
The designee must submit an affidavit to pick-up the voter’s blank ballot. Form DS-DE 37 ( <https://www.dos.myflorida.com/media/701775/dsde37.pdf> English PDF / <https://www.dos.myflorida.com/media/701768/dsde37_spa.pdf> Español PDF) is a combination form that includes the affidavit for ballot pick-up, the written authorization for the designee and if a request is not already on record, the voter’s request for a vote-by-mail ballot.
If a voter or designee waits until Election Day to pick up or have delivered a vote-by-mail ballot, the Election Day Vote-by-Mail Ballot Delivery Affidavit (DS-DE 136 - <https://dos.myflorida.com/media/693307/dsde136.pdf> English PDF / <https://dos.myflorida.com/media/693308/dsde136_spa.pdf> Español PDF) must also be completed. The voter must affirm that an emergency exists that keeps the voter from being able to vote at his or her assigned polling place.
How to Vote a Vote-by-Mail Ballot
Instructions are included with the vote-by-mail ballot. Florida does not have a witness requirement to complete a ballot certificate.
How to Request Another Ballot
If a ballot is lost or damaged (e.g., not yet arrived or way overdue, return envelope has sealed due to humidity, ballot materials are wet, stained from food, etc.), a voter can request another ballot. Contact your Supervisor of Elections' office. Contact information is <https://dos.elections.myflorida.com/supervisors/> here.
How to Vote in Person if Ballot Requested
A voter who has requested a vote-by-mail ballot may change his or her mind and vote in person. The voter should bring the ballot (marked or unmarked) to the polls to turn the ballot in and vote a regular ballot. If the voter does not bring the ballot to the polls for whatever reason, the Supervisor of Elections' office will need to confirm that the ballot has not already been returned and received. If the ballot has not been received, the voter will be allowed to vote a regular ballot. If the ballot has been received, the ballot is deemed cast and the voter to have voted. If the voter believes the office is incorrect for whatever reason, the voter is allowed to vote a provisional ballot. The matter will then be presented to the canvassing board for determination. If it cannot be determined if the ballot has been received, the voter will be allowed to vote a provisional ballot. See section <http://www.leg.state.fl.us/statutes/index.cfm?mode=View%20Statutes&SubMenu=1&App_mode=Display_Statute&Search_String=101.69&URL=0100-0199/0101/Sections/0101.69.html> 101.69, Fla. Stat.
What is the Deadline to Return a Vote-by-Mail Ballot
A returned voted ballot must be received, regardless of postmark, by the Supervisor of Elections' office no later than 7:00 pm (local time) on Election Day. A 10-day extension exists for overseas voters only for Presidential Preference Primary and General Elections, provided the ballot is postmarked or dated by Election Day. Untimely received ballots are otherwise not counted.
What is the Recommended Timeline to Return a Vote-by-Mail Ballot
The <https://about.usps.com/publications/pub632/pub632_v06_revision_012019_tech_032.htm> United States Postal Service recommends that domestic nonmilitary voters mail back their voted ballots at least one (1) week before the Election Day deadline to account for any unforeseen events or weather issues.
The Federal Voting Assistance Program (FVAP) provides recommended earlier <https://www.fvap.gov/guide/chapter1> timelines (see timetable at the bottom of FVAP's website) for absent military and overseas voters. For more information about election mail and the United States Postal Service, visit the webpage on <https://about.usps.com/what/government-services/election-mail/> election-mail.
How to Return a Vote-by-Mail Ballot
A vote-by-mail ballot can be returned by mail or delivered in person. If returned by mail, it can be returned by the United States Postal service or through another private or commercial carrier as long as the ballot is received by the requisite deadline. More information about What is the Recommended Timeline to Return a Vote-by-Mail Ballot to ensure timely receipt can be found on this webpage below.
A vote-by-mail ballot cannot be returned online, by fax, by email or by fax with one exception. Overseas voters (civilian and military) have the option to return their ballot by mail or by fax. Please visit the webpage <https://www.dos.myflorida.com/elections/for-voters/voting/military-and-overseas-citizens-voting/> Military and Overseas Voting for more information.
SECURE BALLOT INTAKE STATIONS
Vote-by-mail ballots can also be returned to secure ballot intake stations. These secure ballot intake stations are required to be at Supervisors of Elections’ offices and at each branch office. Additionally, these stations are to be placed at each designated early voting site in the county during early voting period as scheduled in the county. Optional stations may be added at the discretion of the county supervisor of elections, provided the stations is at a site that could have otherwise qualified as an early voting site and the site is staffed and monitored in accordance with <http://www.leg.state.fl.us/statutes/index.cfm?mode=View%20Statutes&SubMenu=1&App_mode=Display_Statute&Search_String=101.69&URL=0100-0199/0101/Sections/0101.69.html> Section 101.69, Fla. Stat. For the location, dates, and times of all secure ballot intake stations in your county and/or about their security, visit your Supervisor of Elections’ website or contact their office. Contact information is <https://dos.elections.myflorida.com/supervisors/> here.
How to Correct a Missing or Mismatched Signature on Your Vote-by-Mail Ballot
A Supervisor of Elections is required to notify a voter as soon as it is practical if a voter's signature is missing or does not match the one on record. Once a voter learns about the missing or mismatched signature, the voter may complete and return a “Vote-by-Mail Ballot Cure” Affidavit (Form DS-DE 139 - <https://dos.myflorida.com/media/700479/dsde139.pdf> English PDF / <https://dos.myflorida.com/media/701778/dsde139_spa.pdf> Español PDF) with a copy of identification. The documentation can be returned by mail, email, fax, or in person. The deadline to submit the form and the ID is no later than 5 p.m. (local time) on the 2nd day after an election. Failure to follow the instructions may cause the ballot not to be counted.
How to Track Your Vote-by-Mail Ballot Request and Returned Ballot
Any voter who has requested a vote-by-mail ballot can track online the status of his or her ballot through the county <https://dos.elections.myflorida.com/supervisors/> Supervisor of Elections' website or access the county-specific link on our webpage <https://dos.myflorida.com/elections/for-voters/check-your-voter-status-and-polling-place/vote-by-mail-ballot-information-and-status-lookup/> Vote-by-Mail Ballot Information and Status Lookup.
The United States Postal Service also provides a free service (register online) called <https://informeddelivery.usps.com/box/pages/intro/start.action> Informed Delivery that allows a voter to see in advance a digital image of the address side of certain mail pieces such as a requested vote-by-mail ballot that will arrive at the voter’s mailing address. Other options, if time does not allow for timely return by mail, include in person delivery, secure ballot intake stations designated by county’s Supervisor of Elections, or expedited or special courier services.
NOTE: If a voter’s registration information is protected pursuant to section 119.071(2), (4), or (5), Florida Statutes, or the voter is a participant in the Attorney General Office’s Address Confidentiality Program, the voter will need to contact the Supervisor of Elections’ office about the status of the vote-by-mail ballot and request.
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