Latest news with #BradAshwell
Newsweek
2 days ago
- Automotive
- Newsweek
Florida Voters Urged To Check Driver's License Issue
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Florida voters are being urged to verify their driver's license information ahead of upcoming elections as mismatched or outdated records could prevent some residents from casting ballots. Newsweek has contacted the Florida Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) and the office of the supervisor of elections for comment via email. Why It Matters Several U.S. House districts in Florida are expected to be competitive in the 2026 midterm elections. Districts such as the 10th, 15th and 16th have drawn attention because of shifting demographics and political dynamics. Both major parties are preparing for intense campaigns in these areas, and any elections in the state could affect the balance of power in Congress. A highway near Raleigh, North Carolina, on May 13, 2018. A highway near Raleigh, North Carolina, on May 13, 2018. Getty Images What To Know According to WPTV, any licenses issued from July 31, 2024, onward will include updated combination numbers, and this change could have significant implications for future voters. The change means that those attempting to request a vote-by-mail ballot online will encounter error messages if their driver's license information is out of sync with their voter registration. In-person voting is not affected by the new license changes. But Duval County Supervisor of Elections Jerry Holland told Action News Jax that petitions could also be affected. "If you don't update your registration info and use your new license number on a petition, it can't be counted. So that's where you do want that update prior to putting your new number on a petition form," he said. The Florida DMV said the update was designed to make driver's licenses more secure. The new licenses feature an updated two-digit number within the license number that corresponds to the holder's birth year. The Supervisor of Elections Office, which has been sharing guidance about the change through newsletters and press releases, plans to send postcards as Election Day approaches to remind residents to verify and update their voter registration details. When updating a driver's license, voters should check the box indicating "yes" to update their voter information, even if no other changes are being made. This simple step can prevent problems on Election Day. Brad Ashwell of All Voting Is Local told Action News Jax that a new license number wouldn't "automatically update with your local supervisor of elections." He added that the update came into play especially for voters "who want to vote by mail, which is, you know, hugely popular all over the state with both parties." Voters can also contact the Supervisor of Elections Office directly or visit to confirm their registration. Holland said he had asked the state whether it would eventually automatically advise election supervisors when a voter's driver's license number changed and that he expected an answer by Monday. Vote-by-mail requests must be submitted to the supervisor of elections at least 12 days before an election. What Happens Next In Palm Beach County, there's a special election for the Republican Party in House District 90 on September 30, followed by the special general election on December 9. The midterm elections follow in November 2026, with the primaries taking place in August.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Your driver's license number may have changed, and it could cause headaches in the next election
Your driver's license number may have changed, and you might not even have realized it. That could cause problems if you go to request a mail ballot or submit a petition. The Florida DMV began issuing new, more secure driver's license numbers on July 31, 2024. It's easy to verify if your number changed. If the two-digit number within your license number isn't the same as the last two digits of your birth year, you likely need to update your voter registration information. [DOWNLOAD: Free Action News Jax app for alerts as news breaks] Brad Ashwell with All Voting is Local explained that your new license number won't automatically update with your local supervisor of elections. 'And that comes into play if a voter, especially voters who want to vote by mail, which is you know, hugely popular all over the state with both parties,' said Ashwell. Duval County Supervisor of Elections Jerry Holland told Action News Jax it's important to note, in-person voting is not impacted. 'When it comes to Election Day voting, early voting, we're not looking at your driver's license number. So, that won't qualify or disqualify you,' said Holland. But with online vote-by-mail requests, Holland said issues can arise. However, those problems can be addressed with a simple phone call to your local supervisor. 'We can get the update from you when you request, but that's gonna cause a slowdown when you request your vote-by-mail ballot,' said Holland. Petitions could also be impacted. If you don't update your registration info and use your new license number on a petition, it can't be counted. 'So, that's where you do want that update prior to putting your new number on a petition form,' said Holland. The easiest way to avoid all of these issues is to simply check the box that you want to update your voter registration when getting your new license at the DMV. Just make sure to remember to also include your new driver's license number. 'It's really a good idea to update your registration information periodically anyways just to make sure you're active on the voter registration list and that you have your correct address, part affiliation, all those things in their files,' said Ashwell. Holland said he has asked the state whether it plans to eventually automatically advise Election Supervisors when a voter's driver's license number changes. He expects to get an answer Monday. >>> STREAM ACTION NEWS JAX LIVE <<< [SIGN UP: Action News Jax Daily Headlines Newsletter] Solve the daily Crossword
