SEMINOLE COUNTY, Fla. — This week, Seminole County volunteers and officials conducted a thorough review of mail-in ballots through a series of canvassing board meetings. 

What You Need To Know

  • Seminole County's canvassing board meetings were livestreamed, ensuring transparency in ballot review

  • The board reviews flagged ballots to determine voter intent and ensure every valid vote is counted

  • Officials urge residents to vote on Election Day at their assigned precincts

The Seminole County Canvassing Board is responsible for overseeing the election process, including the review of vote-by-mail ballots, provisional ballots and the certification of election results. The entire process was livestreamed to ensure transparency.

“It’s a transparent process. People get to see the canvassing board in action and observe what they’re doing,” said Seminole County Supervisor of Elections Chris Anderson. “They can see how open the process is. I always say election offices are probably the most transparent part of the government, as they should be, because that’s where the votes are counted.”

Seminole County Board of Commissioners Chairman Jay Zembower, who also serves on the Canvassing Board, emphasized the importance of the process. According to Florida Statute, it is required for the chairman of the county to be on the board.

“If a ballot is flagged by the machine for any reason, it comes to the canvassing board for review,” said Anderson. “We examine whether it’s due to a torn ballot, multiple marks, or not enough marks. Then, the canvassing board determines voter intent.”

As of Wednesday, the county had received about 17,000 mail-in ballots out of over 340,000 registered voters. Approximately 35,000 ballots have been cast as of Sunday morning, with 12,932 of those during early voting.

“This is something we must be able to rely upon—how your community, state, and country are governed. It’s very imperative that you get out and vote to voice your opinions,” said Zembower.

With Election Day approaching on Tuesday, Anderson urged residents to participate. “Vote on Election Day. We’ll be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. You have to vote at your assigned precinct,” said Anderson.