TAMPA, Fla. — Even with so much going on in the Tampa Bay area following Hurricane Helene, a major election is coming up in less than five weeks now. And by law, certain deadlines have to be met regardless of the challenges.
That includes public testing of voting machines in Hillsborough County on Thursday by its elections canvassing board.
The public test of the tabulators went smoothly, but everyone recognizes that Hurricane Helene could make it more difficult to hold the upcoming election, and for some people who have been displaced.
It’s why the day also saw an executive order issued by Gov. Ron DeSantis suspending some of the state's election regulations.
“People are going to be able to vote regardless of this storm,” the governor said at a press stop on Thursday.
Within hours of a request from supervisors of election around the state, including many in the Tampa Bay area, Gov. DeSantis issued the order, which makes it easier for election supervisors to move or open new polling sites. It also makes it easier for voters displaced by the storm to receive vote-by-mail ballots.
“Right now, the law required that if you wanted a vote-by-mail ballot sent to an address other than the one we had on file for you, you had to furnish that to us in writing. Signed,” Hillsborough Elections Supervisor Craig Latimer explained. “That has been relaxed where we can now just use the personal identification information, driver’s license number, last four of the social, to accomplish that for a voter that has been displaced and in another area.”
The executive order also makes it easier for election officials to identify early voting sites, which no longer have to be government facilities. It’s the same for ballot intake sites since some have been damaged, but they must still be secured.
It also relaxes requirements to ensure there are enough trained poll workers since some in neighboring counties have also been displaced.
DeSantis says none of the rule changes will compromise election integrity or security.
“But this will ensure that residents that were impacted by the storm and displaced, maybe, still have the ability to vote,” DeSantis said.
“You know, these people that have been displaced are going through hell right now,” Latimer said. “And it's - voting is the last thing on your mind. And trying to jump through hoops to be able to vote is not a good way to do business, so I think this is going to be very helpful to our voters, and make sure they have an opportunity to vote this upcoming election.”
Latimer said the two polling places which had been damaged in Hillsborough County were located on Davis Islands and in South Tampa.
It’s likely many other will also be moved in surrounding counties.
Displaced voters can also stop by any supervisor of elections office, show ID, and pick up an over-the-counter vote-by-mail ballot on the spot.
Early voting begins Oct. 21 and runs through Nov. 3.