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    • Voting misinformation is at its peak even in 2020
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    Voting misinformation is at its peak even in 2020

    Harry Posted on

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    • You don’t need a receipt for your mail-in ballot to be counted, but it’s probably time to drop it in the mailbox.

    Palm Beach County Election Officer Wendy Sartory Connection He said Thursday he was concerned about a surge in misinformation that was worse than what he saw in 2020. presidential election during a once-in-a-century epidemic.

    Facing the reelection challenge of a candidate who has raised questions about the security of the voting system, Link said the amount of false and misleading information in this election, which is just days away from being concluded, is at the top of his list of concerns. He spoke at a time when early voting is expanding and his office is preparing for Election Day polls at 377 locations.

    “We know that China, Iran and Russia are actively involved in using AI (artificial intelligence) to spread a lot of misinformation, and this appears to be true,” Link said. “ … It makes voters very nervous and it doesn’t help anyone.

    “It certainly doesn’t help the democratic process,” he added.

    Link said his staff is willing to investigate any concerns.

    “We want people to be aware that if they see or hear something that concerns them or doesn’t seem right, please call us immediately,” Link said. “Let us investigate and examine it for you and give you that answer, because it is very important.”

    Link used the opportunity in his speech Thursday to debunk rumors that he said were intended to deceive and confuse Palm Beach County voters, especially regarding mail-in ballots and touch-screen machines that are heavily used in early voting.

    Link praised the electronic voting system, which allows voters to use a paper ballot they fill out through a touch-screen machine, and demonstrated how the system creates a paper record of the ballot.

    He said the touch-screen machine is actually a printer that prints the paper ballot after voters make their choices, noting that the device is faster and more direct than filling in the ovals on the printed ballot, but still offers the same registration and effect.

    “Florida is a paper voting state,” he said.

    He also explained that a first-time voter panicked when he heard that his vote by mail would not be counted because he did not receive a receipt for his vote sent by mail.

    “This is just misinformation and designed to make people uneasy,” he said.

    He added that reports of ballot boxes being set on fire in the Pacific Northwest need not worry Florida voters. Drop boxes, officially known as “secure ballot entry stations” in Florida, are never left unattended unless they are empty and no longer accepting ballots, Link said.

    Here’s what else you need to know in the final days before the ritual of choosing a commander-in-chief every four years spreads to the family.

    Check your polling place before going out to vote

    Security concerns, war in the Middle East and the constitutional issue of reproductive rights on this year’s ballot have resulted in more churches, temples and homeowners associations withdrawing from serving as early voting locations than ever before.

    Link is asking people voting on Election Day to confirm the polling place that matches their address before heading out to vote www.votepalmbeach.gov. The information is under the “Find My District” tab.

    “We don’t want someone to stand in line and then find out they have to go somewhere else,” Link said.

    Get in line before 7pm

    Link said the number of mail-in and early votes cast Thursday meant Palm Beach County exceeded the 50% turnout threshold; this is likely an all-time high for votes cast before Election Day.

    However, there will likely be queues and waiting on Election Day. Anyone who lines up until 19:00 on Tuesday will be able to vote., Link said.

    “If you get in line at seven o’clock, you will be allowed to vote no matter how long the line is,” Link said. “Our poll worker will move behind the last person in line at seven o’clock, indicating that he or she is the last person able to vote. “No matter how long it takes, we will succeed in reaching everyone.”

    However, anyone who receives a ballot by mail should not return it through the U.S. Postal Service at this point. Any ballot left in the mail now runs the risk of not reaching the election office in time to be counted. Link said those who want to vote by mail must return their ballot to an early voting location by Nov. 3 or to the election office on Election Day.

    The first results could be announced on Tuesday evening while people are still in line. Early voting and mail-in votes are expected to be reported on the website around 19:15 on election night.

    New in this selection: Student greetings

    Access to schools means that on Election Day voters can be greeted by a student from a local school or college or who is homeschooled. Link said hundreds of students have already received a 10-minute greeting training and been assigned a spot.

    “It will be a fun way to get younger students involved,” Link said.

    Voters can also meet a furry friend as they line up to vote. Local pet adoption agencies will select some of their four-legged fare in select early voting areas, Link said.

    “This is a really good way to engage in civic engagement and hopefully provide some really good homes for some pets right now,” Link said.

    And don’t forget…

    You need a valid signed photo ID to vote in Florida. If you don’t have one, you will be able to use a provisional ballot.

    Anne Geggis is an insurance reporter. Palm Beach PostPart of the USA TODAY Florida Network. You can reach him at: [email protected]. Support our journalism. Subscribe today.

    Harry
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