News
2009-07-04
Latest News Releases
Seminole elections office saves nearly $1 million on equipment purchase
6/3/2009
The Seminole County elections office has negotiated with its voting systems vendor for an upgraded paper-based voting system for nearly $1 million less than the costs of an all-new system.
The office is purchasing newer versions of the current machines, but with the technology that catches Seminole up with the rest of the state. Voters will notice no change in their Election Day voting experience. In the past two election cycles, Seminole has been the only elections office in Florida to use the older technology for Election Day balloting. Technical specifications for both systems (including copies of state certifications) are available upon request.
The quoted cost of 155 all-new machines, which required new ballot boxes and other peripherals was $1,118,472.50. The office negotiated with the Premier Election Solutions to purchase 145 newer (but not new) paper-based tabulation units with all upgrades for $150,000. The units will be paid from already-budgeted funds in the current fiscal year budget. The office already had ten of the newer machines which have been used for absentee processing and Early Voting.
Supervisor of Elections Michael Ertel says, "These are times when government needs to provide services in the least-expensive, yet most effective manner possible. Although our machines have worked well for years, we have to make the upgrade to maintain our level of efficiency. Instead of buying the newest model, we're getting newer versions of our current machines at 87% less than the cost of an all-new system. We also save because we can use our current ballot boxes and other peripheral equipment with the systems we're getting. Voters will see a voting machine that looks identical to the ones they've trusted for years."
In other budget-related news for the elections office:
Seminole County Elections prepares for bilingual ballots in 2012
2/3/2009
Elections after the 2010 Census will likely have a new twist for Seminole County voters: a bilingual ballot. After each decade's census, the United States Department of Justice (under the set formulas in federal Voting Rights Act) determines which counties and municipalities fall under the guidelines for a bilingual ballot. Current jurisdictions here: http://www.usdoj.gov/crt/voting/sec_203/203_notice.pdf .
Supervisor of Elections Michael Ertel believes the county will be included on the list, "Our office has a very detailed and accurate method for analyzing the demographics of the community, and we believe that the Department of Justice will include our county on their next list of counties that will have bilingual ballots. In anticipation of our crossing the legal threshold for 2012, we have been implementing our preparation plans for the past year. The best way to implement a major change in operations is to be informed, be prepared, and be ready to act so a transition is seamless, effective and cost-sensitive."
In 2008 the county implemented a Bilingual Outreach, Registration and Opportunity Plan, which was a huge success. In fact, according to numbers from the U.S. Census and the Florida Department of State, among Florida's large counties for the November election, Seminole County had the highest rate of Hispanic residents being registered to vote AND Seminole County also had the highest Hispanic voter turnout rate among the large counties, as well. The plan was such a success that the county was a featured presenter at the best practices session of the Florida State Association of Supervisors of Elections conference last month.
Civil Rights Restoration Process
1/5/2009
Anyone needing information on the restoration of civil rights process can start the search at this link: https://fpcweb.fpc.state.fl.us/
For more information contact the Office of Executive Clemency: Phone: 850-488-2952 Fax: 850-488-0695 Email: Clemencyweb@fpc.state.fl.us The Office of Executive Clemency 2601 Blair Stone Road, Building C Tallahassee, FL 32399-2450General Election Scorecard from Seminole County Voters
11/20/2008
The Seminole County Elections Office has received more than 2,500 comments cards so far from voters who went to the polls or an early voting site for the November 4 General Election. Respondents were provided with an opportunity to rate their voting experience with options of Excellent, Good, Fair, or Poor. Each card was also scanned for specific words written by voters. Those comments are on the detailed report attached to this release.Post-Election Audit set for Wednesday, November 19
11/14/2008
After every election the Seminole County Supervisor of Elections Office conducts a manual audit of a random number of precincts in a randomly selected race. This audit is conducted to ensure the voting tabulation machines used during absentee processing, at your early voting site or at your precinct on Election Day were working correctly. The random race and precinct were selected at a public meeting of the county canvassing board by a volunteer from the League of Women Voters. The manual audit will take place Wednesday, November 19 at 3 p.m.
