Gov. DeSantis issues emergency executive order on ballot access in Ian-impacted counties

Writer: Joey Pellegrino
Published: Updated:
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis giving a news conference. (CREDIT: WINK News)

Gov. Ron DeSantis issued an emergency executive order on Thursday morning with the aim of ensuring ballot access for voters in counties severely impacted by Hurricane Ian.

At the request of the Supervisors of Elections in Charlotte, Lee, and Sarasota counties, and at the recommendation of Secretary of State Cord Byrd, DeSantis signed Executive Order 22-234, which he says will help ensure adequate access to Florida’s 2022 General Election ballot for the voters of Charlotte, Lee, and Sarasota counties.

The executive order includes provisions authorizing the Supervisors of Elections in Charlotte, Lee, and Sarasota counties to:

  • Extend the number of days for early voting and designate additional early voting locations. The early voting period may begin as early as Monday, Oct. 24, 2022, and can extend through Election Day, Nov. 8, 2022.
  • Allow voters in Charlotte, Lee, and Sarasota counties to request by phone that their vote-by-mail ballot be mailed to an address other than their address of record. Voters must still provide an appropriate form of identification in the same manner as absent uniform service and overseas voters.
  • Designate and provide notice of the locations for secure ballot intake stations and relocate and consolidate polling locations as necessary.
  • Increase the pool of eligible poll workers who may serve within Charlotte, Lee, and Sarasota counties by making eligible any poll workers previously trained for the 2020 election cycle and thereafter and by encouraging state employees to serve as poll workers in these counties.

DeSantis also directed all state agencies to render aid and assistance as needed by the Supervisors of Elections in Charlotte, Lee, and Sarasota counties.

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