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NEWS RELEASE: Collier County Elections Office Commentary on Election Facts vs. Myths

FOR IMMEDIATE
RELEASE

October 06, 2010

For more information contact:

Cyndi Young, Education Coordinator
Supervisor of Elections Office ~ (239) 252-8450

Throughout an election cycle, the Supervisor of Elections office receives a variety of phone calls and correspondence from concerned voters regarding matters related to voting. This commentary has been prepared to help improve the voting experience and to dispel any misconceptions about the voting process and election procedures in Florida.

Will my Absentee/Mail Ballot be counted?

While other states may handle absentee/mail ballot procedures differently, Florida’s absentee/mail ballots are counted if the following requirements are met: the absentee/mail ballot is received by 7:00 p.m. on Election Day or by the designated deadline for overseas and military voters; the ballot is returned in the mailing envelope provided; the voter signed the ballot envelope; the voter’s signature matches the signature on file at the Supervisor of Elections Office; and the voter has not voted during Early Voting or at the poll on Election Day (Source: Mail ballot election procedure F.S. 101.6103).

In fact, the first unofficial results that the Elections Office releases on election night include the votes tabulated from the absentee/mail ballot voters. Absentee/mail ballot voter turnout has increased significantly over the past several years. In the August Primary Election, Collier County saw a 29% turnout and 13% of the votes tabulated were from absentee/mail ballot voters. In essence, as long as a voter has met all of the absentee/mail ballot requirements, the absentee/mail ballot will be counted.

Must I vote in every contest and if I do not, will my votes count?

A voter may choose to vote in a single contest or in every contest on the ballot – this decision is up to each individual voter. Regardless of how many contests on the ballot are voted – candidate races, amendments, referendums, etc. – EVERY VOTE COUNTS. The only exception to this rule is if the voter over votes in any single contest. For example, if a voter votes for candidate A and candidate B in a single vote-for-one contest, the votes cast in that race would not be counted. The fact of the matter is that you do not have to vote in every contest on the ballot; however, the contests voted will be counted.

The November 2, 2010 General Election Ballot

As most of you are aware, there are several races, amendments, and referendums on the November 2nd General Election Ballot. As a result, the ballot is quite lengthy and, for most Collier County voters, it will be three pages in length. The exception to the three-page ballot is registered voters in the City of Naples and the City of Marco Island who will be voting a two-page ballot. Since voting a two- or even three-page ballot may take longer than expected, those planning to vote in person during Early Voting or at their assigned precinct on Election Day are encouraged to study their sample ballot and bring it to the poll to use as a guide while voting. Voters also have the option of requesting and voting an absentee/mail ballot. Any qualified voter is permitted to make a request. Requests may be made online at the Supervisor of Elections Office website – www.CollierVotes.com – in person, by mail, or by calling (239) 252-8450.

For more information visit www.CollierVotes.com or contact the Supervisor of Elections Office at (239) 252-8450.

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OFFICE

Rev Dr Martin Luther King Jr Building
3750 Enterprise Avenue, Naples, FL 34104
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CONTACT

PHONE: (239) 252-8683 ● FAX: (239) 774-9468
EMAIL: Supervisor.Elections@CollierVotes.gov
HOURS: M-F 8:00am - 5:00pm

Under Florida law F.S. 668.6076, e-mail addresses are public records. If you do not want your e-mail address released in response to a public records request, do not send electronic mail to this entity. Instead, contact this office by phone or in writing. Please submit public records requests via our public records request portal by clicking here.

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