The text message prompts individuals to log in and click a link to update or change their voter registration. The public is urged not to click on any links from unsolicited texts claiming to assist with voter registration. The Lake County Supervisor of Elections office does not offer voter registration through text messaging.

“I caution all citizens to be vigilant this election cycle for political scams that can mislead unsuspecting individuals into a frightful experience that can be difficult to overcome,” commented Hays. “Don’t get caught up by aggressive tactics or emotions. Protect your personal information, including your voter registration,” further commented Supervisor Hays.

Residents are advised to contact the Lake County Supervisor of Elections office directly for legitimate voter registration and election information.

Days/Hours of Operation: Monday-Friday, 8:00 am-5:00 pm
Phone Number: 352-343-9734
Email:voterservices@lakevotes.gov or voteroutreach@lakevotes.gov
Register to Vote at: https://www.lakevotes.gov/Register-to-Vote

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These mailers originate from the Center for Voter Information (CVI), a third-party organization not associated with the Lake County Supervisor of Elections. The address lists for previous mailings from the CVI organization have proven to have been outdated and infected with incorrect data. They tell us the first wave of mailings will be sent July 18 and the last wave in early September. 

Our office, two weeks ago, sent an official mailer to all voters who had not previously requested a vote-by-mail ballot. That mailer, among other topics, included a vote-by-mail request form for voters to complete if they chose that voting option. 

“We feel that the 52,000 mailers scheduled to be released by CVI will create many calls and concerns when voters just received an official mailer from our office. Lake County voters who wish to request a vote-by-mail ballot for the upcoming elections are encouraged do so by using the Voter Information Lookup Tool on our website: www.LakeVotes.com, or by calling our office at 352.343.9734, and to not rely on the information sent by this third party organization,” commented Hays. 

Vote-by-mail request forms are also available at area libraries and at the elections office. The deadline to request a mail ballot for the Primary Election is August 8th @ 5 pm. “We would like to encourage all citizens of Lake County to utilize our office as the trusted source of information whether it is requesting a vote-by-mail ballot or registering to vote. We are proud to serve and happy to assist you with your voter services needs,” Hays further elaborated. 

Voters who wish to vote in the upcoming August 18th Primary Election must be registered to vote by Monday, July 20th. This is also the deadline for voters to update their party affiliation if they wish to vote in a party’s primary. 

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Since many of you are now finding time on your hands and want to take care of all those things you have been putting off, why not take a moment, click the button below, and become familiar with our website?  You can review our frequently asked questions page and use it as a learning tool while your children are home from school. You could create a virtual scavenger hunt. Ask them when the next election is scheduled and give them a certain time to find the answer on our site.  Ask them how old you must be to register to vote and how a closed primary state impacts a voter who registers with a minor party or chooses no party affiliation. This civics lesson could prove valuable regardless of the age of your students.

We continue to prepare for the remaining 2020 elections. We are working with our counterparts through the Florida Supervisor of Elections Association to create ways to better serve you during this difficult time. Our office is also reaching out to the Governor and legislative members regarding options as we plan for the August 18th Primary and the November 3rd General Election. These are things we are doing right now to prepare.

Some things you can do now are register to vote, check your registration status, confirm that your party affiliation is correct, and that we have your current address on file. You can also check the status of your vote-by-mail ballot request. Making any corrections and updates now while there is plenty of time to get everything correct prior to Election Day will help ensure future elections run smoothly.  Checking all these items is easy; just click Voter Information to use the voter information lookup tool on our website.

Voting by mail is one method we can all use to ensure social distancing and manage crowds on Election Day.  Making the decision to vote by mail now will allow you to plan and be prepared for the upcoming elections.  Requests can be updated via phone at 352.343.9734 by clicking the Vote-By-Mail link. Updating your signature to ensure we have a current signature on file when we process your vote-by-mail ballot is a very important step to help us promptly process your ballot when you return it to our office.

Signature updates may be made by clicking Signature-Update. You may then download a hard-copy registration form from our website, make your signature update, and then mail it to our office. Consider making a copy of your signed registration form and keep it on hand to review when you get ready to return your mail ballot. Rest assured our goal is for every vote to be counted, and we must be able to match your signature on the return envelope with your signature on file. We encourage you again to take care of these things now so you will not have any issues in August or November. Taking this proactive approach and making your updates now is very helpful.

Please continue to take precautions to prevent the spread of the virus and stay safe.  We will all get through this together, and we are looking forward to brighter days.

Sincerely,

Alan Hays, DMD, MFCEP
Lake County Supervisor

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These letters originate from the Voter Participation Center (VPC) and the Center for Voter Information (CVI), two organizations not associated with the Florida Division of Elections or the Lake County Supervisor of Elections. The VPC and CVI generate address lists for these mailings from outdated and often incorrect data, which can lead to confusion regarding eligibility for voting, especially among voters who are already registered. Lake County voters who know they are registered are urged to confirm their voter record by using the Voter Information Lookup Tool on the Supervisor of Elections website: www.LakeVotes.com, or by calling their office at 352.343.9734, and to not rely on the information printed on these pre-filled mailed-out applications.

For those wishing to register or update their record, the Florida Division of Elections online portal is available at www.registertovoteflorida.gov.  Otherwise, applicants may access the Florida Voter Registration Application forms at the Lake County Supervisor of Elections office, area libraries, and at the tax collectors driver’s license offices. Registering in person is the best way to confirm that the application is received and information is correct. You may see representatives from the elections offices at area libraries throughout the month of September during their Books and Ballots Campaign.

Important registration deadlines are approaching for the 2019 Municipal Elections slated for November 5th, 2019. The following cities/towns in Lake County will conduct an election this year: Clermont, Mascotte, Minneola, Montverde, Mount Dora, and Tavares. “Our registration books close on October 7th for the 2019 Municipal Elections and we want to ensure that voters who plan to vote in the local election are registered, stated Hays. This is why it is so important for voters to utilize our office as a resource for accurate information regarding their record, instead of unaffiliated groups who may not have up-to-date information,” Hays further commented.

The Lake County Supervisor of Elections office has been conducting outreach activities at area city halls, libraries, festivals, and events all throughout the year. They also utilize their social media channels to share information regarding upcoming deadlines, election dates, and other important information. “We welcome your questions and want to assist everyone with their voter services needs,” shared Hays.

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