Elections Office: Voters must be registered to vote at address of legal residence
During a recent audit of voter records, the Lee County Supervisor of Elections Office found that many voters were registered at a business or non-residence address, not their address of legal residence.
In accordance with Florida law, a voter must be registered at their address of legal residence.
When this situation occurs, the Lee County Supervisor of Elections Office sends a certified letter to the voter that explains the voter is registered to vote at a business address and must be registered at the address of their legal residence. A Florida Voter Registration application and postage paid envelope are included with the letter.
The certified letter additionally explains that if the voter fails to respond to the letter within 30 days it may result in the removal of the voter’s name from the Florida Voter Registration System.
If the voter does not respond to the certified letter within 30 days, a legal notice is published in the News-Press stating the voter’s eligibility to vote was in question and they must contact the Lee County Supervisor of Elections Office immediately.
If the voter fails to respond within 30 days of the published legal notice, per Florida law, the voter’s registration status in FVRS is changed from “active” to “removed” for “not having a legal Florida Residence.” If this change is made, the voter will have to register to vote again.
Individuals who believes they may have been registered to vote at a business or non-residence address can contact the office to ensure they are eligible to vote in the upcoming elections.
The deadline to register to vote or change political party affiliation for the August Primary Election is July 30.
Lee County voters can confirm their voter record on the website lee.vote and click the “Check my Voter Registration Status” button or call the Supervisor of Elections Office at 239-LEE-VOTE (533-8683).