Gov. Scott Issues Executive Order on Emergency Management/Elections
WHEREAS, on
WHEREAS, on
WHEREAS, as of
WHEREAS, the Cities of
WHEREAS, the storm conditions in one or more of these areas may make it unsafe for voters to travel to polling locations during this period, and may require a number of county and municipal officials and employees who would be involved in conducting election activities to divert their attentions to local emergency management responsibilities; and
WHEREAS, I have consulted with the Secretary of State, who has advised that the Supervisors of Elections and/or Municipal Clerks in the affected counties have requested a suspension or delay of their respective municipal elections and other applicable deadlines affected by the emergency circumstances associated with Hurricane Irma;
NOW, THEREFORE, I,
Section 1. Based on the foregoing, I declare an existing and continuing possibility of an emergency before and during the scheduled municipal elections. Inorder to ensure maximum citizen participation of the electoral process and provide a safe and orderly procedure for persons seeking to exercise their right to vote, to minimize area residents' exposure to danger during this emergency, and to protect the integrity of the electoral process, I hereby declare that an election emergency exists in
Section 2. The municipal elections referenced above that are scheduled to be held in
Section 3. I direct the Secretary of State to activate the "Comprehensive Emergency Suspension Plan" contained in lS-9.005, Florida Administrative Code, to assist the affected counties in complying with the rule and in determining what other procedures to use to meet any and all logistical difficulties caused by Hurricane Irma that may affect the conduct of their respective municipal elections.
Section 4. I direct the Supervisors of Elections and/or Municipal Clerks in the affected counties to provide the following information to the Secretary of State:
A. A plan for securing the voting equipment, provisional ballots and ballot boxes at polling locations;
B. A contingency plan for removing voting equipment, provisional ballots and ballot boxes from polling locations; and
C. As soon as reasonably possible after the storm conditions make it safe, the condition of the polling locations and voting equipment.
Section 5. I direct the Supervisors of Elections and/or Municipal Clerks in the affected counties, to the extent they have not already done so, to immediately ensure all voting equipment, provisional ballots, ballot boxes, and all votes that have been cast during early voting and vote-by-mail voting are secured and given full legal effect, and direct the Secretary of State to ensure the same.
Section 6. I authorize the Secretary of State to modify, amend, or suspend any deadline imposed pursuant to Chapters 97 through 106, Florida Statutes, to the extent those deadlines cannot be complied with by any county or candidate due to theemergency declared in Executive Order 17-235. Additionally, I authorize the Secretary of State to waive any statutory requirements for the provision of vote-by-mail ballots to members of the
Section 7. All executive agencies are directed, and all other agencies are requested, to render any aid and assistance needed by the
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the Great Seal of the
GOVERNOR
ATTEST:
DEPARTMENT OF STATE.
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