FLORIDA
Florida's 29 Electoral Votes and tendency for close races make it a huge prize in presidential politics.
D+
Election Integrity Grade
Laurel Lee (R)
Appointed - In Office Since 2019
The top election administrator in the state of Florida is the Secretary of State, Laurel Lee (R). She was appointed to the role by Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) in January 2019.
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Florida's Supervisors of Elections are county-level officials who oversee the logistical details of voter registration, maintaining election equipment, training poll workers, and providing precinct vote totals to the state.
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There are several areas of concern in the state of Florida ahead of this year's election: state leaders like Gov. Ron DeSantis have shown a predilection toward prioritizing partisan political motives over facts, state government is pushing back against vote by mail, Florida has proven itself to be exceedingly incapable of dealing with COVID-19, and the state's history in executing smooth elections (most memorably in 2000) is dubious.
Statements on Voter Fraud
The Florida state government, including Secretary of State Laurel Lee, has recently promoted legal arguments embracing voter fraud conspiracy theories. (C-)
Cyber Security
Florida officials have assembled an election security team including state, federal, and local officials to prepare the system to combat cyber threats. (B-)
COVID-19 Preparedness
Florida's local election officials are pressing Governor Ron DeSantis hard for COVID preparedness measures and funding. But he has so far resisted taking action. (C-)
State Politics
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, Senators Rick Scott and Marco Rubio, and Rep. Matt Gaetz are all among Donald Trump's most vocal allies. Partisanship is a concern. (D-)
Support for Vote By Mail
Members of Florida's Supervisors of Elections have spoken up in defense of Vote By Mail, but the Governor and Secretary of State are pushing legal arguments against it. (C)
State History
Florida's infamous election issues in 2000 set the bar for bungled execution and political machinations driving results. The state continues to have issues. (F)
Take Action In Florida
Florida By the Numbers
Population: 21,477,737
Budget Allocation For Elections: $14,853,850
Per Capita Investment In Elections: $0.69
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Registered Voters: 13,925,531
Election Day Polling Locations: 4,607
Early Voting Polling Locations: 351
Registered Voters Per Polling Location: 3,023
KEY PUBLIC STATEMENTS
Laurel Lee
Secretary of State
Some of what you’re hearing, those generalized concerns, may be more applicable to other states that aren’t as experienced with administering vote-by-mail...
Craig Lattimer
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President, Florida Association of Supervisors of Elections
Our request for executive action cannot wait any longer... Florida is lagging behind nearly every other state.
Darren Hutchinson​
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Law Professor,
University of Florida
President Trump’s comments regarding absentee and mail-in ballots are misleading...
On this issue, Trump is simply wrong.