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268 Duval Ballots Tossed Over Signature Issues Could Still Get Counted If Voters ‘Cure’ Them

vote by mail ballot envelope
Jessica Palombo
/
WJCT News

Floridians whose votes were thrown out because of mismatched or missing signatures have until 5 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 17, to “cure” — or fix them— and have their votes counted.

That’s after a federal judge Thursday sided with Democratic incumbent Senator Bill Nelson and extended the signature curing deadline by two days.

The ruling could end up adding 268 votes in Duval County — 171 the supervisor’s office staff said didn’t match what’s on file and 97 with no signature— as a statewide recount continues in three races.

Duval Election Supervisor Mike Hogan said Thursday it’s up to voters to double check their ballot status. Some may have received notices of problems with their signatures, but those who voted by mail closer to Election Day, Nov. 6, might not know about issues.

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To check, go to DuvalElections.com and click My Voter Status. Once voters enter some personal information in a form, they can click Show My Mail Ballot Information under the heading “2018 General Election.”

Hogan said, “It will say, “Received,” and that means it’s good. If it says, “Received with ballot error,” that means there was no signature or a mismatch.”   

A so-called “cure affidavit” – a form that asks for a signature and copy of an ID – is available hereand in person at the supervisor’s office, 105 East Monroe St, Jacksonville, FL 32202. Completed forms can be emailed  to lhinson@coj.net or faxed to 904-630-2920.

But in a Florida election full of them,  there’s a wrinkle for these voters.

A court appeal by Nelson’s opponent, Gov. Rick Scott, could take away the extra time to prove who they are, and their ballots could once again be thrown out.  Scott’s campaign said Thursday he was appealing the ruling.

“We are immediately appealing this baseless decision and we are confident we will prevail in the Eleventh Circuit,” Scott spokeswoman Lauren Schenone said in a statement.

Contact Jessica Palombo at 904-358-6315, jpalombo@wjct.org or on Twitter at @JessicaPubRadio.

Jessica Palombo supervises local news gathering and production, podcasts and web editorial content for WJCT News, ADAPT and Jacksonville Today. She is an award-winning writer and journalist with bylines including NPR, Experience Magazine, and The Gainesville Sun. She has a master’s degree in broadcast and digital journalism from Syracuse University and is an alumna of the University of Florida. A nearly lifelong resident of Jacksonville, she considers herself lucky to be raising her own children in her hometown. Follow Jessica Palombo on Twitter: @JaxJessicaP