Florida Department of State

The Florida Department of State manages Florida’s elections, corporations, public libraries and archives, and historical and cultural resources.

[Florida Department of State @FLSecofState]

Be Election Ready!

Eligible and registered voters can cast a ballot prior to Election Day at any designated early voting site in Florida.

Early voting is from October 24 to 31, but some local Supervisors of Elections offer additional days.

Check with your local Supervisor or visit the Division of Elections Website for more information: https://t.co/g1wb8nqWnK

[Florida Department of State @FLSecofState]

Florida loves the Tampa Bay Rays!

On March 9, 1995, Tampa was awarded the Tampa Bay Devil Rays as the 13th Major League Baseball Expansion Team and played their first game a year later. Tonight, history will be made again as the Tampa Bay Rays play in the first game of the World Series.

Good luck @RaysBaseball! We are cheering for you!

Photo credit: Henderson, Joe and Bill Chastain. “Hoo-Rays!” Tampa Tribune (Tampa, FL), March 10, 1995.

[Florida Department of State @FLSecofState]

ICYMI

[Cord Byrd @CordByrd]

More non-citizen voting arrests.
Pull quote:
“All voted despite knowing that they were not citizens of the United States.”

These cases were investigated by Homeland Security Investigations, the Florida Department of State - Office of Election Crimes, and the Hernando County Supervisor of Elections. They are being prosecuted by Special Assistant United States Attorney Jerry M. Harre.

https://t.co/jPQ66XXk5J

[Florida Department of State @FLSecofState]

ICYMI regarding a recent news story and Florida's paper ballot requirement

[Cord Byrd @CordByrd]

This report leaves out significant information. Florida law already requires paper ballots and Supervisors are obligated to provide voters a paper ballot.

This is why at my urging the Legislature passed the Florida SAVE Act which strengthened the primacy of paper ballots in Florida.

The machines in the reporting are required by Federal law under the ADA they are meant for people with disabilities not for all voters.

If any voter feels pressured to use the ADA machines in Duval or any other county they should immediately contact the Department of State.

https://t.co/gNEa2sLxeb

[Florida Department of State @FLSecofState]

If you need an easy way to cast your ballot following Hurricane Isaias, early voting is a great option and is underway in Escambia, Okaloosa, Walton, and Santa Rosa counties. Find times and locations by contacting your local Supervisor of Elections Office.

@EscambiaVotes: https://t.co/894xf6bDdz or call [phone]

Okaloosa County: https://t.co/YiH32p8RPv or call [phone]

Santa Rosa County: https://t.co/14fwfXTMJL call [phone]

Walton County: https://t.co/Ubpe9nPP65 or call [phone]

Florida’s mandatory early voting period is October 24 to October 31

[Florida Department of State @FLSecofState]

October is the beginning of citrus season in Florida, as oranges, mandarins, and tangerines all ripen between October and June.

Citrus, particularly the orange, is emblematic of Florida, serving as the state’s fruit, flower, and beverage, @OJfromFlorida.

To learn more about the Sunshine State’s history with citrus, explore the @MuseumFLHistory’s ‘Florida Citrus Crate Label Collection', https://t.co/TDVRltlgb8.

[Cord Byrd @CordByrd]

With respect to election fraud, this is what the 2005 Baker-Carter Report (James Baker, President Reagan’s COS and President Jimmy Carter) says:
“Fraud in any degree and in any circumstance is subversive to the electoral process. The best way to maintain ballot integrity is the investigate all credible allegations of election fraud and otherwise prevent fraud before it can affect an election.”

-Building Confidence in U.S. Elections, Report of the Commission on Federal Election Reform, September 2005

Note that they say ANY fraud, not some, not overwhelming, not significant. Furthermore
ALL credible allegations must be investigated BEFORE it can affect the election.

Remember this the next time you read an article dismissing election integrity efforts. Also ask yourself why these articles never answer how much fraud is acceptable to them, they just posit that any effort to stop it is unacceptable.

Here is a link to the full report on the @FLSecofState website, it’s worth the read if your goal is to report accurately on how to build trust and confidence in the electoral process.
https://t.co/FvS0SAl5xH

[Florida Department of State @FLSecofState]

Tom Petty was born #OTD in 1950 in Gainesville.

An avid musician from an early age, Petty would go on to sell over 80 million records worldwide, becoming one of the best-selling artists of all time.

Learn more about @tompetty, and other members of the Florida Artists Hall of Fame, at this @CultureBuildsFL webpage here: https://t.co/FTtJ6qCWlc.

[Florida Department of State @FLSecofState]

October is National Stamp Collecting Month, and the Museum of Florida History has a collection of first day covers.

Collectors began acquiring first day covers in the early 1900’s. Florida’s collection honors events, people, and subjects significant to Florida history including this one commemorating America’s Bicentennial.

See the complete collection online at the @MuseumFLHistory here: https://t.co/3tu48N84Zn

[Florida Department of State @FLSecofState]

Florida is open for business!

Fact: There are more than 4.1 million active businesses in the Sunshine State. The Division of Corporations, part of the Department of State, is the state’s official business registry.

If you are thinking about starting a business in Florida, visit https://t.co/IpClg5B1sZ for more information.

[Cord Byrd @CordByrd]

Here is a friendly reminder that the Florida Constitution states only US citizens can vote in Florida’s elections.
Kudos to my team in the Office of Election Crimes and Security and to our partners in Federal law enforcement.
https://t.co/QxUVaol1yO

[Florida Department of State @FLSecofState]

On October 15, 1964, “Bullet Bob” Hayes, a Jacksonville native, won a Gold Medal at the Tokyo Olympics in the 100-yard dash, setting a world record in the process.

Following his Olympic victory, Hayes was drafted by the Dallas Cowboys as a wide receiver, where his immense speed was responsible for creating zone-defense and ‘bump and run’ tactics to contain him. Hayes was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2009. I

mage Credit- @FLMemory (26679), https://t.co/DzkrAbgCq0!

[Florida Department of State @FLSecofState]

Secretary of State @CordByrd recently spoke at the @SelectFLA Consular Corps Orientation and Executive Briefing at @PBAUniversity.

As Florida’s Chief Protocol Officer, Secretary Byrd works to advance diplomacy and facilitate successful trade relationships. He spoke about the advantages of doing business in the Sunshine State including Florida’s rank as the top economy in the nation, low taxes, business-friendly environment, and skilled workforce.

Learn more about @CultureBuildsFL's Office of International Affairs here: https://t.co/DNzZ6QICNx.

[Florida Department of State @FLSecofState]

ICYMI

[Cord Byrd @CordByrd]

Another win in a little noticed but important challenge to the election process in Florida, specifically the role played by county canvassing boards. Court upholds election results in Rochford v. Byrd case https://t.co/bOT4ElzXcV

[Florida Department of State @FLSecofState]

The Multi-Agency Resource Center (MARC) will help connect residents with resources & assistance following the hurricane.

[FL Division of Emergency Management @FLSERT]

‼️#Isaias Update‼️

If you need resources to assist with your recovery from #Isaias, then a Multi-Agency Resource Center (MARC) may be right for you!

🤝 MARCs connect residents with resources & assistance from multiple state partners to help them navigate the road to recovery.

Tomorrow, a MARC is opening in Santa Rosa County!
📍 Pensacola State College—Milton Campus Gym
🕐 Opens at 1 PM!

Find updated MARC information & other recovery resources at https://t.co/p1ksYRsn11.

[Florida Department of State @FLSecofState]

PODs are open across the Panhandle after Hurricane Isaias.

[FL Division of Emergency Management @FLSERT]

🚨 10/12: Hurricane #Isaias POD Update

📦Points of Distribution (PODs) are open across the Florida Panhandle to provide FREE essential supplies to Floridians impacted by Hurricane #Isaias.

Current POD Locations:

ESCAMBIA COUNTY
📍 Brownsville Community Center, Pensacola

SANTA ROSA COUNTY
📍 Krul Recreation Area, Milton
📍 Martin Luther King Middle School, Milton
📍 Hickory Hammock Baptist Church, Milton
📍 Jay Community Center, Jay

WALTON COUNTY
📍 Boys & Girls Club of the Emerald Coast, Santa Rosa Beach
📍 DeFuniak Springs Community Center, DeFuniak Springs
📍 Freeport Regional Sports Complex, Freeport

WASHINGTON COUNTY
📍 Vernon Fire Department, Vernon

🔗 For the latest POD locations & additional recovery resources, visit https://t.co/p1ksYRsn11.

[Florida Department of State @FLSecofState]

ICYMI

[FL Division of Emergency Management @FLSERT]

⚠️ As Florida recovers from Hurricane #Isaias, help prevent additional communications outages!

Damaged communication lines can disrupt 911 services, emergency response efforts & connectivity for impacted communities.

🌳 Never touch or cut downed lines when clearing debris.
🚫 Do not drive over or attempt to move damaged lines.
⚡ Keep debris away from utility equipment.
📞 Report downed or damaged lines to your utility provider.

Remember, always call 811 before you dig!

[FL Division of Emergency Management @FLSERT]

ICYMI: Governor Ron DeSantis Issues Updates on State Response and Recovery Efforts for Hurricane Isaias

Read more ➡️ https://t.co/NBXCKzybwr

Visit https://t.co/873d131Eps for more info & resources.

[FL Division of Emergency Management @FLSERT]

#Isaias Resources:

❓ Info & Resources: https://t.co/p1ksYRsn11
☎️ SAIL Hotline: [phone]
🚧 Road Closures: https://t.co/ogq8Q7wHM0
⛑️ Red Cross: 1-800-RED-CROSS
⚖️ Legal Helpline: 833-514-2940
🛡️ Insurance Helpline: 1-877-MY-FL-CFO
⚠️ Price Gouging Hotline: 1-866 9NO-SCAM
🏢 Business Resources: https://t.co/c8CWjgWoeQ
🚫 Unlicensed Activity: 1-866-532-1440
🤝 Volunteer: https://t.co/lSntdmAJgt