Directive from Secretary of State Detzner orders Supervisors of Elections to limit how and where voters can return absentee ballots

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: November 13, 2013
CONTACT:  ACLU of Florida Media Office, (786) 363 - 2737 media@aclufl.org


TALLAHASSEE – On Monday, November 25th, Florida Secretary of State Ken Detzner issued a directive imposing new restrictions on Florida voters’ ability to vote using absentee ballots. The order instructs the state’s supervisors of elections to only allow absentee ballots to be delivered to the supervisor’s office.

Some Florida supervisors have established multiple absentee ballot drop-off points throughout their county for the convenience of voters. Under the directive issued by Secretary Detzner, those facilities would be required to close down.

The following statement on the directive may be attributed to Nancy Abudu, ACLU of Florida Director of Legal Operations:

“We are always concerned whenever there are new voting restrictions that make it more difficult for supervisors of elections to do their jobs and more difficult for Floridians to vote. Given this administration’s record of attacks on Floridians’ right to vote, we are concerned that this directive restricts Floridians’ ability to participate in our democracy.”

“Absentee voting has allowed many people - those with mobility restrictions, people whose work schedules require them to work on Election Day, active-duty military – to make their voices heard in our elections. Some supervisors have opened multiple drop-off sites to make absentee voting even easier. If Secretary Detzner had his way, those would be shut down.

“The good news for supervisors of elections is that Secretary Detzner’s directive is not binding. Instead, it is up to them to decide what is best for the voters in their respective counties. We encourage every county supervisor of elections to continue all legally available efforts to increase voter turnout and eliminate needless roadblocks for voters.”

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