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Florida > The Florida Election Code > Registration Office, Officers, And Procedures

§ 98.255 Voter education programs.

Overview of Statute

This statute outlines the rules that the Department of State has to adopt to provide standards for nonpartisan voter education. It also governs the implementation of the voter education standards.

Statute

(1) The Department of State shall adopt rules prescribing minimum standards for nonpartisan voter education. The standards shall, at a minimum, address:

(a) Voter registration;

(b) Balloting procedures, by mail and polling place;

(c) Voter rights and responsibilities;

(d) Distribution of sample ballots; and

(e) Public service announcements.

(2) Each county supervisor shall implement the minimum voter education standards, and shall conduct additional nonpartisan education efforts as necessary to ensure that voters have a working knowledge of the voting process.

(3) By December 15 of each general election year, each supervisor of elections shall report to the Department of State a detailed description of the voter education programs implemented and any other information that may be useful in evaluating the effectiveness of voter education efforts. The department shall reexamine the rules adopted pursuant to subsection (1) and use the findings in these reports as a basis for modifying the rules to incorporate successful voter education programs and techniques, as necessary.

History:

s. 9, ch. 80-292; s. 1, ch. 83-16; s. 530, ch. 95-147; s. 59, ch. 2001-40; s. 35, ch. 2010-102; s. 7, ch. 2016-37.

Annotation: January 28, 2016 7:03 pm

Whether or not sample ballots are distributed to voters in any county is up to the discretion of the supervisor of elections. This statute outlines that there must be rules in place should the supervisor opt to distribute sample ballots.

Definition [Polling Place]

The building which contains the polling room where ballots are cast. Fla. Stat. § 97.021(27).

Definition [General Election]

An election held on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November in the even-numbered years, for the purpose of filling national, state, county, and district offices and for voting on constitutional amendments not otherwise provided for by law. Fla. Stat. § 97.021(16).

Definition [Ballot]

As used in the Electronic Voting Systems Act, ballot means the card, tape, or other vehicle upon which the elector’s choices are recorded. Fla. Stat. § 101.5603(2).

Definition [Election]

Any primary election, special primary election, special election, general election, or presidential preference primary election. Fla. Stat. § 97.021(12).

Cases

Florida Cases

Case Name: Wexler v. Lepore

Citation: 878 So.2d 1276

Year: 2004

Case URL: https://www.ravellaw.com/opinions/a64f9a0c363eae4d70f7c6981b8b7616

Case Summary: Wexler v. Lepore held that the Secretary of State had statutory authority under the Electronic Voting Rights Act to handle how recounts would be conducted. As such, Weller's suit was dismissed.

Out-of-State Cases

Federal Cases

Regulations & Guidance

Additional Resources

Further Reading

  • Fla. Jur. 2d Elections s 22, Generally; Secretary of State as chief election officer

  • Fla. Jur. 2d Elections s 25, Supervisors of elections

  • Fla. Jur. 2d Elections s 44, Generally

  • “Registering the Youth Through Voter Preregistration” 13 N.Y.U. J. Legis. & Pub. Pol’y 551

  • “A Spotlight on Structure” 72 U. Colo. L. Rev. 911

  • “Grasping at Straws, Rushing to Judgment: Election Reforms in Florida, 2001” 13 U. Fla. J.L. & Pub. Pol’y 81