Florida SOS Byrd Delivers for Lee County Voters with Mail Voting Emergency Order

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – On Wednesday, Florida Secretary of State Cord Byrd issued an emergency order to allow voters in Lee County to request that their mail ballot be forwarded to an alternative address to the one listed on their voter registration. The order comes as residents continue to recover from the impacts of Hurricane Ian, and as multiple municipalities in Lee County prepare to hold elections in March.

Peter Skopec, Director of Advocacy for Secure Democracy Foundation, released the following statement:

“Voters across Lee County can breathe a little easier knowing that they’ll be able to receive their mail ballot ahead of several upcoming municipal elections in March. Today’s order will guarantee that even those displaced by Hurricane Ian will be able to participate in our elections.

“We applaud Secretary of State Cord Byrd for taking decisive action to protect mail voting – a popular and reliable option used by millions across Florida. We also applaud Lee County Supervisor Tommy Doyle for advocating on behalf of his community to ensure that even amid an ongoing recovery from a devastating storm, voters can still request and receive a mail ballot at a forwarded address.

“Today’s order proves that in the face of hardship, Secretary of State Byrd and Florida’s elections officials can – and will – step up with common-sense actions to protect Floridians’ access to the ballot box.”