Spring Newsletter

March 2022
Supervisor's Message
Happy Spring!

The Florida legislative session ended on March 11, 2022. Our team is preparing to implement the new election law changes and planning for the busy 2022 election cycle ahead of us. 

Redistricting is upon us. Every 10 years following the decennial U.S. census, all federal, state and local voting district boundaries must be redrawn. Once our office receives the final maps from the state, we will reassign voters to their new districts and mail all voters an updated voter information card. Be on the lookout for this mailing in early June!

The official candidate qualifying period for Judicial, State Attorney, and Public Defender, begins noon, April 25. Our office continues to receive and verify candidate petitions for local candidates seeking to qualify for office in 2022. To view local candidates who have filed, please visit www.VoteMarion.Gov/filed-candidates.

There are two midterm elections scheduled for this year, the August 23 Primary Election and the November 8 General Election. To view all federal, state, and local offices up for election, please view our 2022 Elected Officials Guide.

While our office conducts regular voter list maintenance, it is important for voters to keep their information up-to-date. If you have recently moved, or need to update your name, signature, or party affiliation, please submit a new voter registration application online at www.RegisterToVoteFlorida.gov, in person, or by mail.

Thank you for being an informed voter!

Yours in service,

Wesley Wilcox, CERA
Marion County Supervisor of Elections
FSE President
2022 Legislative Session
On February 2, Florida Supervisors of Elections met with Legislators at the Florida Capitol for FSE Legislative Day to discuss proposed election-related legislation for 2022. The association's 2021 - 2022 legislative priorities can be viewed here.

The 2022 Florida Legislative session ended on March 11. Senate Bill 524 was passed by the Florida Senate, revising Florida's Election Code aimed to improve election security, transparency, and administration. The bill summary can be viewed here. The bill awaits the Governor's approval and can be tracked here.
Redistricting
Once every 10 years, following the U.S. Census, legislatures must redraw their congressional and state voting districts to account for population changes.

Districts determine which elections voters are eligible to participate in, their representatives, and the
contests that appear on their ballot. Voters' representatives, precinct, and polling location may change.

All Marion County voters will be mailed a new voter information card in early June 2022, containing their updated precinct, polling place, and voting districts.

For more information, refer to the 2022 Redistricting Fact Sheet on our website.
Unofficial Voter Registration Mailings
Last week, over 7,000 unofficial voter registration mailings were sent to Marion County residents from the Voter Participation Center (VPC) and the Center for Voter Information (CVI). The third-party non-governmental organizations are not affiliated with our office.

The letter is intended for unregistered voters and includes a pre-filled voter registration application and a return envelope addressed to our office. Prior mailings have resulted in letters sent to already registered voters, deceased persons, minor children, and even pets.

Voters are encouraged to look for the "Official Election Mail" logo or the Supervisor of Elections seal to verify official mailings. Marion County residents can verify their voter registration status or eligibility by visiting www.VoteMarion.Gov or calling 352-620-3290, M-F, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Elections Integrity
Elections integrity is a top priority to Florida's election officials. While there is a lot of information about voting and elections on the internet and social media, not all of it is credible. The biggest threat to our democracy is misinformation, disinformation, and malinformation (MDM). Your local election officials are the official sources of trusted election Information.



Here are a few facts about Florida's Elections:

  • Florida Supervisors of Elections conduct frequent list maintenance to ensure accurate voter registration rolls.
  • Florida law requires voters to present a current and valid acceptable form of photo and signature identification to cast a ballot.
  • Voting systems used in Florida are rigorously tested and certified to ensure votes are accurately counted.
  • A public Logic & Accuracy test is conducted prior to each election to certify that the voting machines accurately count and record votes.
  • A public post-election audit is conducted after every election to verify the accuracy of the election results.
  • All Florida voters cast their vote on a paper ballot, leaving a physical record for every vote cast. Election materials are retained for 22 months after the election.
  • To receive a mail ballot, a voter must first make a request and provide their driver's license number or last four of social security number. To be counted, the voter must sign their specific return envelope and it must match the signature on record.

To learn more, visit our Elections Integrity webpage: www.votemarion.gov/trust or visit the Florida Department of State's Elections Integrity Webpage.

ICYMI: Supervisor Wilcox and Florida Supervisors of Elections (FSE) shared a message to Florida voters regarding elections integrity on October 25, 2021.
Voter Education and Community Outreach
On January 20, we hosted a Candidate Workshop for current candidates and individuals interested in running for office or learning about the process. Thank you to everyone who attended and we look forward to serving you throughout the 2022 election cycle.
Supervisor Wilcox received a personal invite from a 3rd grade student to visit Mrs. Stutson's classroom at Ward-Highlands Elementary on February 10. The students were excited to meet him and learn about his job and how they can become future voters!
On February 15, your Elections Team rolled up their sleeves to help save lives by donating blood with OneBlood. Every drop makes a difference! Share your power too by donating at a location near you: http://oneblood.org.
On February 24, Supervisor Wilcox gave a presentation on Public Records to election administrator colleagues across the nation, at the Election Center's Special Workshop in Atlanta!
On March 1, Supervisor Wilcox provided a behind the scenes tour of our operations to a group of local homeschool students and parents! Participants learned about the voting process and how elections are conducted in Marion County.
On March 9, we kicked off our Annual High School Voter Registration Challenge at
Vanguard High School, educating students on the elections process and registering them ahead of the 2022 elections. Thank you to the 138 Knights who registered to vote.
Next stop: Belleview High School!
On March 11, Supervisor Wilcox provided a tour of the Election Center operations to a local homeschool group. Participants learned about the election processes in Marion County and preparations being made for the 2022 election cycle.
Election Dates
2022 Primary Election

Voter Registration Deadline:
July 25

Mail Ballot Request Deadline:
August 13

Early Voting:
August 13 to August 20
10 AM to 6 PM

Election Day:
Tuesday, August 23
Polls open 7 AM to 7 PM
2022 General Election

Voter Registration Deadline:
October 11

Mail Ballot Request Deadline:
October 29

Early Voting:
October 27 to November 5
8 AM to 6 PM

Election Day:
Tuesday, November 8
Polls open 7 AM to 7 PM
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