How to “Cure” Your Ballot: Florida
What does “curing your ballot” even mean?
When a Vote-by-Mail or Provisional Ballot is rejected in Florida, the voter has the opportunity to rectify the problem and have their vote counted. Election officials are required to contact the voter who cast the ballot and provide them the opportunity to “cure” (correct) it. If a voter “cures” their ballot, it will be counted.
In Florida, the curing process is primarily used to correct ballots with missing or mismatched signatures.
How do I know if my ballot was rejected?
You should get a notice: Both Vote-by-Mail and Provisional Ballots can be flagged and require curing. Flagged ballots are marked in the Florida Voter Registration System as “Returned with Voter Error.” This information is posted to the Voter Information website, which is accessible to Florida voters. Additionally, all voters with signature errors are mailed a letter to the address on file in the Florida Voter Registration System. If alternate contact information is provided in the Florida Voter Registration System, such as a phone number or email address, the voter will be contacted via these channels as well.
But, just to be safe: You can check the status of your absentee ballot yourself on the Voter Information website.
What kind of errors could cause my ballot to be rejected?
In Florida, the cure process is typically used to rectify signature errors such as failing to sign the ballot or a discrepancy between the signature on file and the signature on the ballot.
Ballots in Florida may also be rejected if it:
- Votes for more than one candidate per race
- Fails to place the marked ballot in the secrecy envelope
- Fails to seal the mailing envelope
- Fails to fill out the Voter’s Certificate on the back of the mailing envelope
- Fails to include a Voter’s Certificate (first-time voters only)
What should I do if my ballot is rejected?
If your ballot is rejected, you have a right to cure your ballot and have your vote counted.
In order to cure your ballot, you must fill out and return the Vote-by-Mail Cure Affidavit or Provisional Ballot Cure Affidavit depending on the type of ballot you submitted, and follow these steps:
- Complete and sign the affidavit
- Make a copy of one of the following forms of valid ID:
- Current and valid ID that includes your name and photograph, such as a Florida driver's license, Florida identification card, U.S. passport, military ID, student ID, Florida concealed weapon license, or an ID card issued by any branch, department, agency, or entity of the Federal Government, state, county, or municipality.
- If you do not possess a Tier 1 identification listed above, you may provide an identification that shows your name and current address, a current utility bill, a bank statement, a government check, a paycheck, or a government document, excluding a voter information card.
- Return the completed affidavit and the copy of your valid ID to your county supervisor of elections in person or via fax, email, or mail. The address, fax number, and email of your supervisor of election can be found here.
Your cure affidavit must reach your county supervisor of elections no later than 5:00 pm on the second day after the election (November 5 at 5:00 pm), or your ballot will not count.