This week Leon County voters are getting even more mail about the election. But instead of promoting a candidate or trashing one, the county’s official election guide is helping voters cast a more educated ballot.
Supervisor of Elections Mark Earley recommends early voting – in case there’s a problem with your record or you can’t get to the polls by 7 p.m. on Election Day. He tells voters to do their homework and know how they’re going to vote before they get to the polling place.
That’s something the guide can help with—by letting voters know what they can expect to see on their ballots so they can do their research ahead of time.
As for the amendments listed on the ballot, he says there’s only so much he and his staff can do as the administrators of the election to help explain them…
“…because it’s very touchy ground. We have to be very careful about advocating either for or against or even the language we use for that. So, we basically try and provide – or my office tries to provide nonpartisan explanations of the amendments. We vet them somewhat. But we really don’t – I don’t expound myself except within my own head about what amendments might mean.”
Earley recommends using sources like the League of Women Voters or the James Madison Institute as a way to get a better understanding of what a yes or no vote on an amendment means. He also advises going to Leonvotes.gov to find out where to vote or what the status of your ballot is.
