On Friday, Oct. 9, the Palm Beach County Supervisor of Elections officials met to conduct the Logic and Accuracy Test (L&A). The L&A is conducted, prior to each election to ensure the machines are accurately counting and recording votes.
Elections officials met to conduct the test and were joined by members of the canvassing board, local residents and media, who watched the test occur. The L&A is required before any ballots can be counted.
On Saturday, Oct. 10, the Supervisor of Elections Office began opening and tabulating the vote-by-mail ballots that have already been returned, in accordance with Florida Statute 101.68 and Executive Order 20-149.
During the L&A test, Supervisor of Elections Wendy Sartory Link provided an update to local media on the elections, current vote by mail information and information regarding poll workers. The update from Supervisor Link provided the following information:
Election Security — This week, the Palm Beach County Supervisor of Elections participated in a tabletop exercise with the Secretary State, FBI and additional federal, state and local law enforcement to exchange ideas and prepare for any threats to our elections process. The Supervisor of Elections office is prepared and ready for these types of challenges.
Vote-by-Mail — There are currently 454,165 vote-by-mail requests and 144,698 vote by mail ballots that have been returned. These are some of the largest counts for mail ballots anywhere in the State of Florida. Some important reminders for our voters for the next 24 days regarding vote-by-mail:
• All vote by mail ballots are pre-paid postage for those that want to mail their ballots.
• Until Oct. 19 the only places that you can drop ballots off are at any of the four Supervisor of Elections offices.
• Between Oct. 19 and Nov. 1, ballots can be dropped off at any of the 18 early voting locations, or a location where there will be official mobile vans. These mobile van locations will be announced soon.
• Do not take or drop your ballot off at a non-designated location. Libraries that are early voting locations will not accept ballots until Oct. 19 when early voting begins.
• Many have asked if their secrecy sleeve is required to mail back with their ballot. The answer is NO. You can mail your ballot or drop it off without the secrecy sleeve. As long as it is signed, your vote will count.
• The South Florida humidity can create issues where moisture makes return envelopes seal shut before you can mail it back. You are allowed to open the sealed envelope, insert your ballot and tape it shut to mail it back.
Poll Worker Recruitment — The Supervisor of Elections is hiring or seeking volunteers for a number of positions in the elections office to help with this election. If you want to be a part of this historic election, sign up today. The office has allocated bonus pay to provide additional onetime payments for poll workers and other staff during this time. For questions, contact Judy Lamey at (561) 656-6200 or judy@pbcelections.org.
