Access to Ballot Materials and Observation of Ballot Duplication
Per Sections 101.5614(4)(a) and 101.572(2) of the Florida Statutes, a candidate, political party official, political committee official, or authorized designee shall be granted reasonable access upon request to review or inspect ballot materials before canvassing or tabulation, or to observe ballot duplication.
To ensure that Lee County Elections fulfills its constitutional and statutory responsibilities, the Supervisor of Elections defines reasonable access as what is appropriate, sensible, and constitutes a logical process that will not hinder the administration of election operations. Election operation activities include, but are not limited to, the timely canvassing, processing, and tabulating of ballots, reporting election results, and certifying an election.
Authorized persons requesting access must complete and submit an Attestation to Access Ballot Materials or Observe Ballot Duplication to have their name on the Supervisor of Elections access roster 48 business hours in advance.
An access request is not approved until the Supervisor of Elections confirms via email sent to the person requesting access that it has been granted. Multiple attestation filings are not required. Once the Supervisor of Elections confirms access, submitting another attestation form for the August 20, 2024, Primary Election is unnecessary.
The Supervisor of Elections will provide additional guidelines upon access confirmation, including check-in procedures for an access session or observing ballot duplication.
Incomplete attestation forms will not be processed. A person not listed on the access roster may not attend an access session.
Access to ballot materials for persons authorized per Section 101.572(2), Florida Statutes, will consist of images of physical documents. It may include voter certificates on vote-by-mail envelopes, cure affidavits, corresponding comparison signatures, duplicate ballots, and corresponding originals.
Ballot duplication observation allows persons authorized per Section 101.5614(4)(a), Florida Statutes, to watch ballot duplication so that the observer can see the markings on each ballot and the duplication taking place.
Access Schedule: Originally Posted July 3, 2024 | Revised July 8, 2024
Access Schedule PDF—August 20, 2024, Primary Election
Attestation: Originally Posted July 3, 2024
Attestation to Access Ballot Materials or Observe Ballot Duplication PDF
- 48 business hours of notice required.
- Complete, sign, and email the attestation form to: SOEAccess@lee.vote