TALLAHASSEE — In response to a request for flexibility in storm-ravaged areas, Gov. Ron DeSantis on Thursday issued an executive order allowing election changes in 10 counties trying to recover from Hurricane Helen.
DeSantis’ order allows supervisors of elections in hard-hit areas to make changes to early voting sites and create consolidated voting centers where people can cast their ballots. The order also eases restrictions on mail-in ballot requests and allows state employees to take paid administrative leave to serve as poll workers on Election Day. The governor’s action came as supervisors across the state are mailing ballots to voters for the Nov. 5 election.
DeSantis made the announcement during a media briefing in Anna Maria, one of the Gulf Coast communities where the massive storm caused widespread flooding. The order will allow election supervisors to make changes in Charlotte, Citrus, Dixie, Hillsborough, Lee, Levy, Pinellas, Manatee, Sarasota and Taylor counties.
DeSantis said Thursday’s order would not affect “voter security efforts.”
“None of those things have been lifted. But if there is a polling place that is destroyed, you have the ability to set up a different location, provide proper notice and follow all the rest of the state law, but that will ensure that the affected residents because of this storm,” he told reporters. “Displaced people may still be able to vote in the November elections.”
Florida Supervisor of Elections Executive David Ramba on Tuesday asked Secretary of State Cord Byrd for flexibility in counties where election infrastructure has been damaged.
“Hurricane Helen displaced countless voters and poll workers from their homes in a number of affected counties,” Rampa wrote.
Supervisors “appreciate the quick response from Secretary Byrd and Governor DeSantis to address the issues we have to confront as a result of this devastating storm, and we hope this will provide a smooth voting experience for Floridians impacted by Hurricane Helen,” Rampa said in a statement. Text message on Thursday.
Under state law, supervisors are prohibited from moving voting sites to other locations less than 30 days before an election. Thursday’s order allows supervisors in the 10 counties “at their discretion, to move or consolidate any polling location if the supervisor finds that the continued impacts of Hurricane Helen warrant it.”
Supervisors will also be allowed to designate new locations for vote-by-mail drop boxes. Election officials in affected areas will also be able to mail ballots to voters’ temporary addresses, similar to the process used for military or overseas voters. Ballots can also be mailed to other addresses of voters in the 10 counties.
DeSantis’ order also allows supervisors in affected counties to coordinate with election officials outside affected areas to “ensure voting opportunities for those affected by Hurricane Helen.” The effort also seeks to ensure evacuees who are unable to return home — including those in nursing homes or hospitals — receive mail-in ballots or are able to vote on Election Day.
This is not the first time the state has given election officials flexibility in the wake of a major storm.
Local election officials were allowed to consolidate polling places after Hurricane Ian struck southwest Florida in September 2022, and Hurricane Michael struck northwest Florida in October 2018.
The state also allowed eight counties that suffered damage in Michael to set up temporary polling places and early voting sites and send ballots to other counties for tabulation. Some counties, like Bay, created “mega” sites that were available to all voters regardless of their addresses for early and Election Day voting.
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