All voting in Florida uses paper ballots, which gives every voter a secure and reliable record of their vote. Voters simply fill in the ovals next to their choices, and the ballots are counted using state‑certified tabulation equipment that reads each vote accurately.

Paper ballots serve as a physical backup for every election. If questions ever arise, these ballots can be reviewed to confirm results. By law, all ballots are securely stored for at least 22 months after each election and are considered public records. After an election, anyone may request to view them to verify results and see the process for themselves.

Every piece of voting equipment used in Seminole County is tested, verified, and certified by the Florida Department of State before use. Our office only uses equipment that meets or exceeds all state certification requirements.

Each machine undergoes extensive testing, public logic and accuracy checks, and post‑election audits to confirm that it reads every ballot correctly. Over multiple election cycles, this same equipment has proven to be accurate, reliable, and secure.

Vote-by-Mail Safeguards

Vote-by-mail ballots are not sent automatically. A voter must first register, then request a ballot.

When a vote-by-mail ballot is returned, it must be placed in the official return envelope and signed by the voter. Upon receipt, the signature on the envelope is compared to the voter’s signature on file. Once verified, the voter’s record is updated to prevent the voter from voting again in that election.

Voters may track the status of their vote-by-mail ballot through the entire process, including when it is requested, mailed, received, and counted.

Secret Ballots

Whether or not a voter participated in an election is public record, but how a voter voted is private. The Florida Constitution guarantees the right to a secret ballot.

Ballots are not linked to individual voters. Every voter in the same precinct (and the same party during primary elections) receives the same ballot style. Once a voter checks in and receives a ballot, there is no identifying information on the ballot itself.

Similar procedures protect the secrecy of vote-by-mail ballots. No one, including election workers or Elections Office staff, can see how a voter voted.

The most critical functions of an election—including reviewing ballots, certifying results, and overseeing recounts—are handled by the County Canvassing Board.

The Canvassing Board is an independent body made up of:

• The Chair of the Board of County Commissioners
• A County Court Judge
• The Supervisor of Elections

This structure ensures that major election decisions are made collectively rather than by a single individual. Members may not serve if they have a conflict of interest.

Logic and Accuracy Testing Before Each Election

Before every election, all voting machines are carefully tested to confirm they are counting votes accurately. Pre‑marked test ballots are run through every tabulator to verify results match exactly. This testing process is open to candidates, the media, and the public.

Post‑Election Audits

At the end of every day of voting, totals from voting machines are compared to voter check‑in records to ensure the number of ballots cast matches the number of voters who participated. The same careful accounting is performed on vote‑by‑mail ballots, confirming that every counted ballot belongs to a registered, eligible voter. No ballot is counted unless it is verified. All post‑election audit steps are open to public observation.

Manual Audits

After each election, results are audited as required by Florida law to verify the accuracy of the vote count. Seminole County uses the Clear Ballot audit system—an independent, state‑certified tool that re‑scans paper ballots and digitally compares them to the official tabulated results.

This audit is conducted by the Canvassing Board with public oversight. The system produces an independent tally and detailed visual report, confirming that the paper ballots voters marked match the official results. These audits provide transparency, uphold public confidence, and demonstrate that every Seminole County election is accurate, secure, and publicly verifiable.

Physical Security

All sensitive election materials are kept in secure, limited‑access areas monitored by 24‑hour cameras. Strict chain‑of‑custody procedures ensure that only authorized staff handle ballots, voting machines, and election equipment.

Each voting device, transport container, and supply case is sealed with one‑time security seals to confirm that no tampering has occurred at any point.

Cybersecurity

Protecting election data is a top priority. Seminole County uses advanced, continuously monitored cybersecurity systems to prevent unauthorized access and safeguard voter information.

Voting machines are never connected to the internet, and Elections Office staff receive regular, specialized training to detect and prevent cyber threats, keeping systems protected year‑round.

Outside Oversight

Nearly every stage of the election process is open to outside observation. Candidates and political organizations may appoint poll watchers to observe voting at early voting sites and polling places.

The processing and counting of vote-by-mail ballots may also be observed by the public. Many election-related records are public records, including voter registration lists and ballots. Sensitive personal information, such as Social Security numbers or driver’s license numbers, is protected and not released. Signatures may be viewed as part of public records but may not be copied.

Impartial Officials

Election workers swear an oath to uphold the Constitutions of the United States and the State of Florida. They do not work for political parties or candidates. Their responsibility is to the voters.

Election workers are members of the community and serve with integrity, transparency, and impartiality to protect every voter’s right to have their ballot counted accurately.