INSIDER
Florida’s election supervisors discuss handcounting ballots, polling place challenges ahead of Nov. 5
Read full article: Florida’s election supervisors discuss handcounting ballots, polling place challenges ahead of Nov. 5In a recent discussion, Central Florida election supervisors addressed a range of concerns about the upcoming election, including polling place accessibility and the potential impact of hand-counting ballots.
How Florida’s election supervisors try to build and maintain trust in the voting process
Read full article: How Florida’s election supervisors try to build and maintain trust in the voting processAs election season approaches, Central Florida's election supervisors are confronting not only logistical challenges but also ongoing skepticism from election deniers.
Intimidation, apathy worry Central Florida’s election supervisors ahead of November vote
Read full article: Intimidation, apathy worry Central Florida’s election supervisors ahead of November voteIn a recent interview with News 6, election supervisors from five Central Florida counties shared their thoughts on the upcoming November election, highlighting both optimism and concern.
Don’t trust the election? Watch Seminole County’s Canvassing Board live on TV
Read full article: Don’t trust the election? Watch Seminole County’s Canvassing Board live on TVElections Canvassing Boards across Central Florida have been meeting over the last several days to take a hard look at ballots that have already come in.
Judge dismisses lawsuit against Seminole County elections supervisor, says no evidence of law violations
Read full article: Judge dismisses lawsuit against Seminole County elections supervisor, says no evidence of law violationsA judge quashed a temporary injunction Monday against incumbent Seminole County Supervisor of Elections Chris Anderson, after a lawsuit accused him of violating campaign laws.
Amy Pennock defeats incumbent Chris Anderson in Seminole County Supervisor of Elections primary
Read full article: Amy Pennock defeats incumbent Chris Anderson in Seminole County Supervisor of Elections primaryA Republican primary in Seminole County pits the incumbent supervisor of elections against an outgoing member of the Seminole County School Board.
Seminole County Supervisor of Elections launching new initiative to honor veterans
Read full article: Seminole County Supervisor of Elections launching new initiative to honor veteransThe supervisor of elections in Seminole County is launching an initiative to honor those who have served in the military.
‘We need Democrats. We need Republicans:’ Seminole County in urgent need of poll workers
Read full article: ‘We need Democrats. We need Republicans:’ Seminole County in urgent need of poll workersWith voters getting ready to decide which presidential candidate they would like to see on the November ballot, the Supervisor of Elections in Seminole County says his office needs poll workers, especially those who speak Spanish.
Central Florida elections offices want Narcan in case of fentanyl letters
Read full article: Central Florida elections offices want Narcan in case of fentanyl lettersLocal elections offices around the country have received letters containing fentanyl in the last few months, and the supervisor of elections in Seminole County says he is taking no chances with his workers.
‘Erratic and threatening:’ Seminole County official writes DeSantis over election supervisor’s behavior
Read full article: ‘Erratic and threatening:’ Seminole County official writes DeSantis over election supervisor’s behaviorThe chairman of the Seminole County Board of Commissioners wrote Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis earlier this month regarding “erratic and threatening behavior” by the county’s elections supervisor.
Like voting by mail? Why you should update your status now
Read full article: Like voting by mail? Why you should update your status nowIn December 2022, Seminole County had 100,000 vote-by-mail requests stored in its records. But thanks to a 2021 Florida law, all of those requests were wiped out in 2023.
Turnout increasing in some Central Florida counties as early voting set to end
Read full article: Turnout increasing in some Central Florida counties as early voting set to endEarly voting is ending in Central Florida and Supervisor of Elections are reporting low turnouts thus far, but say they are hopeful more people are headed to the polls come election day.
Seminole County Supervisor of Elections investigating verbal attacks at early voting sites
Read full article: Seminole County Supervisor of Elections investigating verbal attacks at early voting sitesSome Central Florida supervisors of elections have said they've had verbal altercations at early voting sites.
Central Florida election officials plead to voters: Don’t wait until Election Day
Read full article: Central Florida election officials plead to voters: Don’t wait until Election DayFive county supervisors of elections — Lake, Orange, Osceola, Seminole and Volusia counties — came together to implore people to get out and vote now at early voting locations, rather than wait until Election Day.
Central Florida election officials remind voters to check their polling location
Read full article: Central Florida election officials remind voters to check their polling locationAhead of the primary election Tuesday, election leaders are reminding people who plan to vote in person on election day that it must be at their assigned polling location.
Seminole County elections supervisor gives general voting tips, reminders
Read full article: Seminole County elections supervisor gives general voting tips, remindersSeminole County Supervisor of Elections Chris Anderson said they’re working to make sure residents have a smooth voting experience, offering tips for new and seasoned voters alike.
🤼♂️Seminole County SOE body-slammed by former WWE Superstar -- for good cause
Read full article: 🤼♂️Seminole County SOE body-slammed by former WWE Superstar -- for good causeIt’s all about creating opportunities and making athletics more appealing to high school students -- or just getting out some aggression and enjoying some wrestling pros duke it out in the ring with county leaders.
‘It’s a busy time:’ Seminole election supervisor on challenges ahead of 2022 midterms
Read full article: ‘It’s a busy time:’ Seminole election supervisor on challenges ahead of 2022 midtermsSeminole County Supervisor of Elections Chris Anderson joined anchor Justin Warmoth on “The Weekly” to discuss how his department is working through recent voting challenges.
‘We’re maxed out:’ Seminole County elections office looks to move to larger facility
Read full article: ‘We’re maxed out:’ Seminole County elections office looks to move to larger facilityAs more people move to Seminole County and register to become voters, the elections supervisor said the current facility is too small and they need more space.
‘If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it:’ Florida Election officials react to newly passed elections bill
Read full article: ‘If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it:’ Florida Election officials react to newly passed elections billElection leaders in Central Florida are reacting to a newly passed elections security bill that would make it harder for voters to cast ballots by mail.
Chris Anderson wins Seminole County’s supervisor of elections race
Read full article: Chris Anderson wins Seminole County’s supervisor of elections raceSEMINOLE COUNTY, Fla. – Republican Chris Anderson has been declared the winner of the Seminole County supervisor of elections race. Currently, Republican Chris Anderson holds the position after replacing former Seminole County Supervisor of Elections Mike Ertel. Seminole County’s supervisor of elections, according to the county’s SOE website, is responsible for overseeing all election activities for the county, including managing all municipal, county, state and national elections in Seminole County, preventing voting fraud activities and facilitating qualifying of county-wide candidates for office. According to the Seminole County Supervisor of Elections Office website, Seminole County currently has 335,183 registered voters. Ron DeSantis as Seminole County’s supervisor of elections in January of last year.
How election officials made sure people with COVID-19 could still vote
Read full article: How election officials made sure people with COVID-19 could still voteSEMINOLE COUNTY, Fla. – People with the contagious novel coronavirus could still cast their ballots on Election Day with precautions. [TRENDING: Trump, Biden fight for Florida | Free food on Election Day | Latest track: Hurricane Eta could dump 35 inches of rain]Anderson said he’s had several requests for emergency ballots from voters with coronavirus. Anderson said Tuesday afternoon a COVID-19- positive family had a representative drop off their ballots. The ballots will be accepted at the elections office front counter and then immediately sanitized. The ballots will be disinfected before they are handled by anyone else at the elections office.
Still have your mail-in ballot? It’s not too late to vote
Read full article: Still have your mail-in ballot? It’s not too late to voteElections Supervisor Chris Anderson said more mail-in ballots were handed in versus mailed in than ever before. “The best thing to do is, if you have a vote-by-mail ballot, just bring it directly to us. “We will ask you to surrender your vote-by-mail ballot, we’ll write ‘canceled’ on it, put it in a secure bag, and then issue you a fresh new ballot so you can cast your vote,” Anderson said. Here’s how to track your ballot]Even if you don’t bring your mail-in ballot with you to your assigned polling place on Tuesday, you can still vote. Because they understand that actually when they check you in, it alerts them on your record that you were given a mail ballot, so they’re actually trained to ask you for the mail ballot," he said.
Meet the candidates: Here’s who’s running to be Seminole County’s supervisor of elections
Read full article: Meet the candidates: Here’s who’s running to be Seminole County’s supervisor of electionsSEMINOLE COUNTY, Fla. – Seminole County voters will be asked to choose between two candidates on the November ballot for the role of supervisor of elections. [LIVE RACE RESULTS: Scroll to bottom of story to see all race returns starting at 7 p.m. on Nov. 3]Currently, Republican Chris Anderson holds the position after replacing former Seminole County Supervisor of Elections Mike Ertel. Anderson is hoping to continue to serve the voters of Seminole County but will have to beat Democrat Deborah Poulalion in the general election to keep his title. According to the Seminole County Supervisor of Elections Office website, Seminole County currently has 335,183 registered voters. Ron DeSantis as Seminole County’s supervisor of elections in January of last year.
Seminole elections supervisor explains what to expect when polls close Tuesday
Read full article: Seminole elections supervisor explains what to expect when polls close TuesdayEven though millions of Floridians have already cast their ballots in this year’s election, millions more will do the same on Tuesday. Seminole County Supervisor of Elections Chris Anderson joined anchor Justin Warmoth on “The Weekly on ClickOrlando.com” to discuss what to expect when the polls close Tuesday night. “We start canvassing vote-by-mail ballots early, so that means by 7 p.m. on election night we’re going to be reporting vote-by-mail and early voting numbers,” Anderson said. “Then you’ll start to see the precincts reporting and election day results will be added to early voting and vote-by-mail totals.”Watch the full interview Sunday at 7:30 a.m. on News 6. [For more information on Central Florida elections, head to Clickorlando.com/results2020]
State issues onsite security at ballot drop boxes in Florida
Read full article: State issues onsite security at ballot drop boxes in FloridaLAKE COUNTY, Fla. – The Department of State issued guidance to the Supervisor of Elections of each county in Florida to protect the November election. The Department of State issued guidance to the Supervisor of Elections of each county in Florida to protect the November election. (Florida Department of State)The Department of State issued guidance to the Supervisor of Elections of each county in Florida to protect the November election. Lake County Supervisor Alan Hays said upon receiving the letter, his office complied right away. “We’ve had a drop box here at our location in Tavares that has been accessible and is under camera surveillance 24 hours a day.”The recommendation instructed Supervisors to have someone monitor the drop box on-site in case someone tries to destroy or spoil the ballots.
Experts say Seminole County could play big role in determining election
Read full article: Experts say Seminole County could play big role in determining electionSEMINOLE COUNTY, Fla. – For about 30 minutes in pouring rain, people held their umbrellas and their spot in a line wrapped around the Seminole County Library in Casselberry for the first day of early voting. “People are curious on how Seminole County will play on the national election,” Anderson said. According to News 6 political expert Jim Clark, Seminole County could play the biggest role. Clark believes Seminole County and Pinellas County are the two swing counties in an already swing state, both along the important I-4 Corridor. “I think either candidate would come over and wash your car for you if you are a Seminole County voter.”
How Seminole County election officials detect voter fraud
Read full article: How Seminole County election officials detect voter fraudSEMINOLE COUNTY, Fla. – Seminole County’s Supervisor of Elections Chris Anderson said they have systems in place to catch voter fraud. News 6 asked Anderson specifically about what checks happen if someone tries to vote for a deceased relative. But if they were to receive a fraudulent ballot, Anderson said, there’s only one check point in place -- the signature check. “Oh, very confident, like I said, it is not easy to forge someone’s signature, folks, it’s going to catch it, it will catch it,” Anderson said. Anderson also said that supervisor of elections are constantly looking at their processes to make sure all of the proper checks are in place.
USPS confirms missing ballots but ‘doesn’t have any additional information’
Read full article: USPS confirms missing ballots but ‘doesn’t have any additional information’SEMINOLE COUNTY, Fla. – The U.S. Postal Service confirms to News 6 that some primary election mail-in ballots never made to mailboxes in Seminole County in August. “Regarding Seminole County’s primary election, we are aware that some ballots were unaccounted for after showing up in customers' Informed Delivery,” USPS spokesman David Walton said. “We continue to work with the Seminole County Board of Election and look forward to a successful general election. "The Postal Service, our unions, and the more than 630,000 postal employees are united in this effort.
Can someone request a vote-by-mail ballot for you without you being aware?
Read full article: Can someone request a vote-by-mail ballot for you without you being aware?During an election period it is not unusual for candidates or their volunteers to go door-to-door, but how much of your information should they have and how much should you share with them?
Some primary ballots never made it to mailboxes, Seminole County election supervisor says
Read full article: Some primary ballots never made it to mailboxes, Seminole County election supervisor saysSEMINOLE COUNTY, Fla. – Seminole County Elections Supervisor Chris Anderson said when mail-in ballots were mailed-out to voters before the August primary election, not all voters received them. “We had an unusually high number of ballots, voters who were needing replacements,” Anderson said. "The Postal Service’s number one priority between now and Election Day is the secure, on-time delivery of the nation’s Election Mail. We employ a robust process to ensure proper handling of all Election Mail, including ballots. For information about how the Postal Service is responding to the COVID-19 pandemic, please see: https://about.usps.com/newsroom/covid-19/,” the statement read.
TRUST INDEX: Like primary, will voters’ political parties be printed on mail-in ballot envelopes in general election?
Read full article: TRUST INDEX: Like primary, will voters’ political parties be printed on mail-in ballot envelopes in general election?SEMINOLE COUNTY, Fla. – When Deanna Magee sealed up her Seminole County mail-in ballot for the primary election in August, she noticed her party affiliation printed on the back of the envelope. “I didn’t feel like my mail-in ballot was safe once I realized that, because the person who’s delivering my mail may not agree with my party affiliation,” Magee said. “Honestly, I don’t think they should know what party affiliation anybody is,” Magee said. “That explains if you are a certain party affiliation, you are getting the correct ballot based on your party affiliation. That’s more than a third of our voters.”Arrington also pointed out that political affiliation is public record.
Trust Index: I keep getting political text messages -- are they legit?
Read full article: Trust Index: I keep getting political text messages -- are they legit?As the Nov. 3 general election approaches, many Central Floridians have been receiving text messages on their mobile devices soliciting donations for political candidates, offering assistance with mail-in ballots or inquiring about voter registration status.
Largest early voting site in Seminole County to open in East Altamonte
Read full article: Largest early voting site in Seminole County to open in East AltamonteSEMINOLE COUNTY, Fla. With nearly 328,000 registered voters, Seminole County Supervisor of Elections is expecting a large turnout for early voting during the general election. The data says that our Casselberry location, gets twice as many early voting votes than any other voting site in Seminole County, Seminole County Supervisor of Elections Chris Anderson said. Anderson said hes familiar with the area, he patrolled East Altamonte as a Deputy Sheriff a few years ago working for the Seminole County Sheriffs Office. He said that would be the largest early voting site in the county at 10,000 square feet with plenty of parking. Anyone registered in Seminole County will be able to vote at the new East Altamonte location.
Despite drop in return poll workers, Primaries fully staffed in Central Florida
Read full article: Despite drop in return poll workers, Primaries fully staffed in Central FloridaWe did see an increase in new applications, Seminole County Supervisor of Elections Chris Anderson said. We checked in with Seminole, Brevard, Osceola, Orange, and Marion Counties and they are all fully staffed with alternates for the upcoming election. We know the voters will be touching stylus back to back and we knew that it would be expensive to purchase more stylus', Anderson said. Because voting is a constitutional right, Anderson said voters are not required, but encouraged to wear masks when they vote. You'll want to turn them in as soon as possible so the supervisor of elections office can contact you if there are any issues.
Central Florida election offices use CARES funds to help cover additional expenses during pandemic
Read full article: Central Florida election offices use CARES funds to help cover additional expenses during pandemicMany officials said they are receiving money from the CARES Act grant to help offset additional costs incurred that were not originally budgeted. Seminole County:Seminole County Supervisor of Elections Chris Anderson said his office is receiving $531,000 in CARES Act funds. He said the money will help cover the additional expenses as more voters request a vote by mail ballot. Orange County:Orange County Supervisor of Elections Bill Cowles said the county is getting $1.3 million in CARES funding. Marion County:Officials with the Marion County Supervisor of Elections office said they are eligible for up to $359,810.
Lake County hiring 100 election workers amid COVID-19 pandemic
Read full article: Lake County hiring 100 election workers amid COVID-19 pandemicMany said they are still recruiting election workers to make sure they have enough in case some back out because of the pandemic. But he said the COVID-19 pandemic made it tough to hire enough election workers. Orange County election officials said they are always recruiting election workers. Osceola County election officials said they have "plenty" of election workers for the August election. Marion County election officials said they are always recruiting election workers because of constant turnover.