BY TRACY LEE TATE
Times Editor
LAKE BUTLER — Poll workers for the Union County Supervisor of Elections Office underwent training on August 3-4, 2022 to learn about new laws and equipment and to also review protocols for election security and voter health protections in preparation for the upcoming Primary (Aug. 23). In addition, on Aug. 5, voting machines were put through a logic and accuracy test and security assessment at the SOE office. A representative from the Florida Division of Elections observed the testing.
On Aug. 3, 2022 poll workers, both clerks and assistant clerks, were trained on the new Electronic Voter Identification Device (EVID). This new devices makes voter check-in faster and more secure by scanning the voters driver’s license and transmitting the information to the Supervisor of Elections (SOE) office where it is scanned automatically for the voters information, identity, eligibility to vote and registration information. Before the EVID machines were put into service it was often necessary for the process to be done by hand. Using this system the validity of the license is guaranteed.
Poll workers also trained on the new Express Vote machines – an advance in accessibility, convenience and ease of use for any voter with disabilities.
On Aug. 4 training was conducted for the polling place inspectors, machine operators and the Union County deputies (sworn into this special duty by Sheriff Brad Whitehead) who will be providing security at the elections office and all of the polling places. Much of this training was educating and reviewing the workers on the Florida Statues affecting the primary election and other rules and regulations they are to follow while conducting them. Time was also taken to allow the workers to become familiar with the newly mandated Spanish language ballots.
Between the two training days the SOE office provided necessary training and review to 50 poll workers, many who have served in past year and a few new ones as well.
Also provided by the SOE office was the official list of the members of the Canvassing Board for both the 2022 Primary and General Elections. The board must be comprised of the county judge, the Chairman of the County Commission and the Supervisor of Elections. Alternates must also be named in case one of the primary members is unable to serve.
The Canvassing Board will be made up of: the Honorable Judge Mitchell Bishop as Chairman (with the Honorable Bo Bayer serving as the alternate), County Commission Chair James Tallman (with County Commissioner Ryan Perez as the alternate) and Supervisor of Elections Deborah Osborne (with County Commissioner Travis Willie Croft as the alternate).
The Canvassing Board is present to certify the election. Among the boards duties are tabulating the Vote by Mail ballots, duplicate (fill out) standard ballots for those received by fax (mostly from members of the military) as the machines will not accept faxed ballots, remarking damaged ballots (with clear preferences stated but damaged so they would not be accepted by the machine) and verifying signatures as necessary.
The board will be on-site for both the primary and general elections to accomplish their tasks as they occur, thus speeding up the tabulation of the votes and generating the results.
SOE Deborah Osborne wants to remind all Union County voters that early voting for the Primary Election on Aug. 23, 2020 will be held on Aug. 13-20, 2022. Early voting will take place at the SOE Office, located at 175 West Main St. in Lake Butler on Monday through Saturday from 8 a.m. until 6 p.m. and on Sunday from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m.
“My staff and I are working hard at getting ready for these elections, making sure that everyone who wishes to vote is able to do so in a secure and safe manner,” Osborne said. “Everyone here is ready to perform their duties and serve the voters of Union County to the best of their ability.”
