GREEN COVE SPRINGS – Clay Today was guided on a tour through the Clay County Election Office. Supervisor of Elections Chris Chambless showed the tabulation boxes, the voting equipment secured in the warehouse and the rows and rows of glass windows running parallel from the city street to where the votes will be counted. 

“You can’t get more transparent than that,” Chambless said. 

There’s a slight tint and sometimes a glare, but if you put your face up to the window, you can peer in and watch the tabulation take place standing on Orange Avenue just outside. The rooms are also under 24-hour audio and video and surveillance. 

Chambless has an open-window, open-door policy for anyone confused or skeptical about our election process. 

During the tour, Chambless cleared up misconceptions and offered clarifications.

So, how are elections secure in Florida?

Florida has a statewide voter registration database preventing anyone from voting twice, either on accident or purpose. For example, to vote in Florida, you have to register first. You can register, update your registration and check the status of registration – all online. The address you declare will determine which precinct you can vote. In Florida elections, you also will need an ID with a photo and signature to vote. 

The voter registration database is the safeguard that prevents those with multiple addresses from voting twice. No other can be cast once a vote is received from a registered voter. Also, it prevents double voting from those who may not have a primary address. Voting addresses are assigned for the homeless or those living in a camper or boathouse.

The voter registration database is connected to other statewide agencies. The election office receives death certificates for those registered to vote in Clay County. The vote is flagged if a death certificate comes before the postmark of the vote-by-mail ballot. 

Even through a seance, dead people can’t vote in elections. 

Early voting sites have Secure Ballot Intake Stations (formally known as “drop off boxes”), which you will place your vote in. Votes are removed daily, and custody and control documents keep an accountable record. 

What can we expect at the polls?

Voters will show up to their assigned precinct based on the address they provided and show proof of identification, such as a passport or driver’s license. Ballots are printed one at a time for each registered voter. Ballots are bubbled in and then inserted into the tabulation machine. The displayed number will tick up by one. 

Chambless calls it the “tabulation odometer,” one more election safeguard. 

During the logic and accuracy test last Friday, the elections office conducted the legally required testing to ensure the equipment was in working order and votes were correctly counted. 

The voting equipment passed the tests with 100% success, and all equipment was reset, sealed and stored securely until the March 19 Presidential Preference Primary.

Can an election be “hacked?”

The election office uses an internal system that’s not connected to the internet. A fraudster would have to break into the office, disassemble the hardware, insert a trojan horse, reassemble the hardware and leave without getting caught or leaving any evidence behind.

But even that wouldn’t work, either. By “inseminating” artificial votes, the odometer would tick up for each artificial ballot. The fraudster could attempt to tamper with the odometer, and when the odometer count doesn’t match the number of ballots cast, it sends a red flag.

A spectator at the logic and accuracy test demonstration said he hesitates to trust elected officials and even the intentions of some voters. But he was secured in the election process. 

In one more layer of security, Chambless said the encryption codes for most bank accounts use a 128-bit algorithm to protect information. According to several security companies, 256-bit encryptions are considered “the strongest and most robust encryption standard” available.

The Clay County elections office uses a 1,024-bit algorithm, which means it would be easier to hack a bank than to steal an election.

The election’s office is eager to address any other concerns or questions. Don’t be fooled by misinformation. Do your research because a legitimate democracy is at stake.