Warning (2): include(/var/www/vhosts/vcc_staging/app/Resource/aarp2_master.head.html): failed to open stream: No such file or directory [APP/View/Layouts/aarp_2023.ctp, line 53]
Warning (2): include() [<a href='http://php.net/function.include'>function.include</a>]: Failed opening '/var/www/vhosts/vcc_staging/app/Resource/aarp2_master.head.html' for inclusion (include_path='/var/www/vhosts/vcc_staging/lib:.:/usr/share/pear:/usr/share/php') [APP/View/Layouts/aarp_2023.ctp, line 53]
Warning (2): include(/var/www/vhosts/vcc_staging/app/Resource/aarp2_master.resource.root.html) [<a href='http://php.net/function.include'>function.include</a>]: failed to open stream: No such file or directory [APP/View/Layouts/aarp_2023.ctp, line 54]
Warning (2): include() [<a href='http://php.net/function.include'>function.include</a>]: Failed opening '/var/www/vhosts/vcc_staging/app/Resource/aarp2_master.resource.root.html' for inclusion (include_path='/var/www/vhosts/vcc_staging/lib:.:/usr/share/pear:/usr/share/php') [APP/View/Layouts/aarp_2023.ctp, line 54]
Tallahassee, FL
Change City

Governor DeSantis Signs Executive Order for Voting Adjustments in 13 Counties

Posted on 10/04/24 by AARP Florida


Governor Ron DeSantis signed an executive order allowing adjustments to polling places, drop boxes, and vote-by-mail procedure in 13 counties significantly affected by Hurricane Helene. Read below for all you need to know:

What Counties Are Affected?


Charlotte, Citrus, Dixie, Hernando, Hillsborough, Lee, Levy, Madison, Manatee, Pasco, Pinellas Sarasota, and Taylor counties.

MapChart_Map (1).png

So, What’s Changed?


1. Early Voting: The usual deadlines for announcing the locations and hours of early voting sites and secure ballot drop-off stations are temporarily lifted for Supervisors in affected counties. However, they must still meet the requirement of at least 20 days before the election.

2. Vote-by-Mail Ballots: The requirement for a signed request to send vote-by-mail ballots to a different address is lifted for affected counties. Supervisors of Elections can now accept these requests without the written signature. However, you still need to provide your Florida driver license number, state ID number, or the last four digits of your Social Security number.

3. Polling Places: The rule that prohibits Supervisors from moving a voting location less than 30 days before an election is temporarily lifted for affected counties. This means Supervisors in affected counties can move or combine polling locations if needed.

4. Poll Workers and Trainings: Normally, poll workers need to complete specific training before the election. This rule is temporarily lifted for counties affected by issues like a shortage of poll workers. State employees are also encouraged to work as poll workers in affected counties.

5. Coordination and Notifications: The Secretary of Elections must work with election officials to ensure people impacted by Hurricane Helene can vote. This includes making sure vote-by-mail ballots reach law enforcement, military, first responders, utility workers, volunteers, nursing home residents, and hospital patients who were evacuated due to the storm.

Also, any election official who uses the special powers given by the Executive Order must immediately notify the public widely via social media, website, television, etc.

You can access the full Executive Order here.

Where Can I Find Up-to-Date Information?


Contact your local Supervisor of Elections office to learn more about changes to your county’s voting process. A list of supervisors for all affected counties is below.

Charlotte County:
Supervisor Leah Valenti
Website
Email: soe@soecharlottecountyfl.gov
Phone Number: 941-833-5400
Facebook, X

Citrus County:
Supervisor Maureen Baird
Website
Phone Number: 352-564-7120, 800-655-6645
Facebook

Dixie County:
Supervisor Starlet Cannon
Website
Email: dixiecountysoe@bellsouth.net
Phone Number: (352) 498-1216
Facebook 

Hernando County:
Supervisor Shirley Anderson
Website
Email:  elections@hernandovotes.gov
Phone Number: (352) 754-4125
Facebook, X

Hillsborough County:
Supervisor Craig Latimer
Website
Email: voter@votehillsborough.gov
Phone Number: (813) 744-5900
Facebook, X

Lee County:
Supervisor Tom Doyle
Website
Email: elections@lee.vote
Phone Number: 239-533-8683
Facebook, X
 
Levy County:
Supervisor Tammy Jones
Website
Email: elections@votelevy.gov
Phone Number: (352) 486-516
Facebook, X

Madison County:
Supervisor Heath Driggers
Website
Email: info@votemanatee.gov
Phone Number: (941) 741-3823

Manatee County:
Supervisor James Satcher
Website
Email: hdriggers@votemadison.com
Phone Number: (850) 973-6507

Pasco County:
Supervisor Brian Corley
Website
Email: webcomment@pascovotes.gov
Phone Number: 800-851-8754
Facebook, X

Pinellas County:
Supervisor Julie Marcas
Website
Email: election@votepinellas.gov
Phone Number: (727) 464-VOTE
Facebook, X

Sarasota County:
Supervisor Ron Turner
Website
Email: rturner@sarasotavotes.gov
Phone Number: (941) 861-8600
Facebook, X 

Taylor County:
Supervisor Dana Southerland
Website
Email: vote@taylorelections.com
Phone Number: (850) 838 - 3515
Facebook

This story is provided by AARP Florida. Visit the AARP Florida page for more news, events, and programs affecting retirement, health care, and more.

Explore the free AARP HomeFit Guide
Upcoming AARP Events

AARP Events for Tallahassee

View All AARP Events

image of two AARP membership cards
Only $12 your first year with Automatic Renewal
  • Immediate access to your member benefits
  • Discounts on travel and everyday savings
  • Subscription to AARP The Magazine
  • FREE second membership
Join AARP
Already a member? Renew or Print Card
Facebook

Contact AARP
Florida

Facebook icon   Twitter icon   Instagram icon
Return to top 
Warning (2): include(/var/www/vhosts/vcc_staging/app/Resource/aarp2_master.footer.html) [<a href='http://php.net/function.include'>function.include</a>]: failed to open stream: No such file or directory [APP/View/Layouts/aarp_2023.ctp, line 242]
Warning (2): include() [<a href='http://php.net/function.include'>function.include</a>]: Failed opening '/var/www/vhosts/vcc_staging/app/Resource/aarp2_master.footer.html' for inclusion (include_path='/var/www/vhosts/vcc_staging/lib:.:/usr/share/pear:/usr/share/php') [APP/View/Layouts/aarp_2023.ctp, line 242]
Warning (2): include(/var/www/vhosts/vcc_staging/app/Resource/aarp2_master.bodyTargeting.html) [<a href='http://php.net/function.include'>function.include</a>]: failed to open stream: No such file or directory [APP/View/Layouts/aarp_2023.ctp, line 243]
Warning (2): include() [<a href='http://php.net/function.include'>function.include</a>]: Failed opening '/var/www/vhosts/vcc_staging/app/Resource/aarp2_master.bodyTargeting.html' for inclusion (include_path='/var/www/vhosts/vcc_staging/lib:.:/usr/share/pear:/usr/share/php') [APP/View/Layouts/aarp_2023.ctp, line 243]
Warning (2): include(/var/www/vhosts/vcc_staging/app/Resource/aarp2_master.resource.footer.root.html) [<a href='http://php.net/function.include'>function.include</a>]: failed to open stream: No such file or directory [APP/View/Layouts/aarp_2023.ctp, line 244]
Warning (2): include() [<a href='http://php.net/function.include'>function.include</a>]: Failed opening '/var/www/vhosts/vcc_staging/app/Resource/aarp2_master.resource.footer.root.html' for inclusion (include_path='/var/www/vhosts/vcc_staging/lib:.:/usr/share/pear:/usr/share/php') [APP/View/Layouts/aarp_2023.ctp, line 244]