Duval Canvassing Board to discuss more voter transparency during ballot canvassing process

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — It’s only eight days until Election Day and right now the Supervisor of Elections in Duval County is reviewing how to handle vote-by-mail ballots when the voter’s intent is in question.

The Duval Canvassing Board cancelled their meeting on Monday morning over a proposed amendment when it comes to using a video recording device during ballot canvassing.

The group told Action News Jax it needs more time to come up with a decision.

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Supervisor of Elections Mike Hogan says the board is looking at every possible way to be more transparent without compromising any voter information.

Currently the amendment states, “unless otherwise permitted by law, cameras, video cameras and cellphones are not allowed during ballot canvassing.”

But now it’s bringing up questions of voter transparency when it comes to reviewing a ballot that’s been rejected.

“The difference is obviously the transparency of getting that out there to everybody. I mean the access to that information to the uninterested viewer or listener who sees that when they come across it,” said City Councilman Michael Boylan, a Duval Canvassing Board member.

Boylan said it’s worrisome, for example, if someone can make out a person’s signature or initials on a ballot.

He said there is a possibility then of identifying who that voter is and which candidate that person voted for on Election Day.

“We wanted to make certain that isn’t a possibility. If we had a signature, we said, ‘Let’s cross it out, let’s cover it up.’ Then we’d be accused of covering up an item on the ballot,” Boylan said.

The rule to ban video recordings of the ballot canvassing was made earlier this month, and now board members are trying to come to an agreement that would allow video recordings of the review process on select ballots.

The canvassing board will resume on Tuesday at 9 a.m.

Action News Jax and its attorneys are part of a legal challenge to allow for more transparency.

Cox Media Group