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Florida > The Florida Election Code > Voting Methods And Procedure

§ 101.6921 Delivery of special vote-by-mail ballot to certain first-time voters.

Overview of Statute

This statute governs the procedure for how some first-time voters vote-by-mail. This section applies to voters who are subject to s. 97.0535 or have yet to provide the identification or certification required by the time the vote-by-mail ballot is mailed. For these voters, the supervisor of elections must send the ballot along with a Voter’s Certificate.

Statute

(1) The provisions of this section apply to voters who are subject to the provisions of s. 97.0535 and who have not provided the identification or certification required by s. 97.0535 by the time the vote-by-mail ballot is mailed.
(2) The supervisor shall enclose with each vote-by-mail ballot three envelopes: a secrecy envelope, into which the absent elector will enclose his or her marked ballot; an envelope containing the Voter’s Certificate, into which the absent elector shall place the secrecy envelope; and a mailing envelope, which shall be addressed to the supervisor and into which the absent elector will place the envelope containing the Voter’s Certificate and a copy of the required identification.
(3) The Voter’s Certificate shall be in substantially the following form:

Note: Please Read Instructions Carefully Before Marking Ballot and Completing Voter’s Certificate.

VOTER’S CERTIFICATE

I, _____ , do solemnly swear or affirm that I am a qualified and registered voter of   County, Florida, and that I have not and will not vote more than one ballot in this election. I understand that if I commit or attempt to commit any fraud in connection with voting, vote a fraudulent ballot, or vote more than once in an election, I can be convicted of a felony of the third degree and fined up to $5,000 and/or imprisoned for up to 5 years. I also understand that failure to sign this certificate will invalidate my ballot. I understand that unless I meet one of the exemptions below, I must provide a copy of a current and valid identification as provided in the instruction sheet to the supervisor of elections in order for my ballot to count.

I further certify that I am exempt from the requirements to furnish a copy of a current and valid identification with my ballot because of one or more of the following (check all that apply):

☐ I am 65 years of age or older.

☐ I have a permanent or temporary physical disability.

☐ I am a member of a uniformed service on active duty who, by reason of such active duty, will be absent from the county on election day.

☐ I am a member of the Merchant Marine who, by reason of service in the Merchant Marine, will be absent from the county on election day.

☐ I am the spouse or dependent of a member of the uniformed service or Merchant Marine who, by reason of the active duty or service of the member, will be absent from the county on election day.

☐ I am currently residing outside the United States.

  (Date)         Voter’s Signature  

(4) The certificate shall be arranged on the back of the envelope so that the line for the signature of the absent elector is across the seal of the envelope.

History:

s. 22, ch. 2003-415; s. 4, ch. 2004-232; s. 41, ch. 2005-278; s. 26, ch. 2016-37.
Definition [Absent Elector]

Any registered and qualified voter who casts an absentee ballot. Fla. Stat. § 97.021(1).

Definition [Secrecy Envelope]

As used in the Electronic Voting Systems Act, secrecy envelope means an opaque device, used for enclosing a marked ballot, which conceals the voter’s choices. Fla. Stat. § 101.5603(6).

Definition [Member of the Merchant Marine]

An individual, other than a member of a uniformed service or an individual employed, enrolled, or maintained on the Great Lakes for the inland waterways, who is:

(a) Employed as an officer or crew member of a vessel documented under the laws of the United States, a vessel owned by the United States, or a vessel of foreign-flag registry under charter to or control of the United States; or

(b) Enrolled with the United States for employment or training for employment, or maintained by the United States for emergency relief service, as an officer or crew member of such vessel. Fla. Stat. § 97.021(18).

Definition [Ballot]

As used in the Electronic Voting Systems Act, ballot means the card, tape, or other vehicle upon which the elector’s choices are recorded. Fla. Stat. § 101.5603(2).

Definition [Elector]

“Elector” is synonymous with the word “voter” or “qualified elector or voter,” except where the word is used to describe presidential electors. Fla. Stat. § 97.021(15).

Definition [Election]

Any primary election, special primary election, special election, general election, or presidential preference primary election. Fla. Stat. § 97.021(12).

Regulations & Guidance

Additional Resources

Further Reading

  • Fla. Jur. 2d Elections s 163, Furnishing ballots