Q: Are our elections secure?
A: Yes! As the Supervisor of Elections, I have 100 percent confidence in our voting system and processes, and you can too, because Florida uses the safest system that exists: a paper ballot. St. Johns County voters have been voting on paper ballots since 1994, and all of Florida since 2008. Additionally, only voting systems certified by the Department of State can be used to count ballots in Florida.
Q: What kind of voting system is used in St. Johns County?
A: We utilize ES&S DS200 digital scan tabulators for counting ballots during early voting and on Election Day. To count vote-by-mail ballots, the Elections Office uses DS850 high speed tabulators. We have been using this system since 2010.
Q: Are our voting machines connected to the internet?
A: No. A stand-alone server is used to program the election and tabulate the results. After polls close on election night, unofficial results are transmitted using a secured private network that has no internet access.
Q: How do I know that my ballot was counted accurately?
A: Our machines go through rigorous testing before each election, where thousands of ballots are run through the machines to make sure they are working correctly and counting each vote accurately. A public Logic and Accuracy test is conducted prior to each election, and the machines must be certified they are counting accurately prior to being used in an election. This test is open to the public, so you can attend to be sure our machines will count your vote correctly.
Q: Does Florida conduct audits after an election?
A: Yes. Audits have been conducted in every election in Florida since 2007, except in the case of a recount. Year after year and election after election, our manual audits, which consist of hand counting a percentage of ballots to compare to the machine count, have confirmed the accuracy of our machines.
Q: Is there a new audit process coming in 2024 for our election?
A: Yes. St. Johns County has recently purchased Clear Ballot Clear Audit, an automated independent audit system. The system provides a 100 percent audit of election results separate from our tabulation system. Beginning in 2024, a 100 percent audit of our election results will be conducted on every election.
Q: Are elections conducted on a local level?
A: Yes! Our poll workers do not work for a political party or candidate, they serve you, the voters of St. Johns County. Our staff and poll workers serve with integrity and transparency to ensure your vote is counted fairly and impartially. Remember, our poll workers are members of our community. They are our friends, family, and neighbors. We are public servants who serve to protect your right to vote.
Q: How can I find out more about the security of our elections?
A: Come take a tour of our office! We offer a behind the scenes look of our operation and present the facts about how elections are conducted in St. Johns County. Visit www.votesjc.gov/office-tours to schedule a tour.
Q: What is the best way for our readers to contact you?
A: Readers can email me at voakes@votesjc.com or call me at (904) 823-2238. Our website, www.votesjc.com also has a wealth of information.
