The most important function of my office in addition to conducting elections is the responsibility of maintaining the voter registration rolls. I’ve often remarked that our office should be re-named to “Supervisor of Voters and Elections,” as it more accurately reflects our ongoing duties and responsibilities. With the introduction of the statewide Florida Voter Registration System in 2006, the responsibility of maintaining updated addresses has become a more efficient process as people relocate within the state. Additionally, we employ the list maintenance protocol outlined in Florida Statutes 98.065, in which voters receive mailed notifications to update their address information. One way we apply this statute is to target voters who have reported an address change to the United States Postal Service (USPS). In this way we have the advantage of reaching voters who not only moved to another Florida county, but also those who no longer reside in the state of Florida.
These processes not only protect the integrity of elections by eliminating voter fraud and the possibility of casting more than ballot, they err on the side of the voter in serving as a reminder to ensure that on election day their registration is current and in good standing. One of the newest tools available for maintaining the accuracy of the voter registration rolls is the addition of the Interstate Voter Registration Data Crosscheck Report. This report selects voters who may potentially be registered to vote in more than one state. Supervisors of Elections and their colleagues in other states compare data such as registration dates, most recent voter registration activity and voting history, to assist in determining which registration should be retained as active.
There is no magic formula to retaining a pristine voter registration roll. The information contained within our file is only as good as what we receive. The most accurate information will come from the voters themselves who are pro-actively taking responsibility for maintaining their voter registration record. Calling your local elections official should be on every to-do list for those who are relocating. This would be the best insurance that our voter registration rolls are current and accurate. If you have any questions, please call us at 800-851-8754 or visit pascovotes.com.
