(Iris Stone) – A recent analysis of Florida’s 2024 general election has revealed alarming irregularities in the state’s mail-in ballot system.
According to investigative journalist Kris Jurski, Florida saw over 580,000 mail ballot requests that failed to include the legally required voter identification details. Shockingly, more than 476,000 of these ballots were counted, raising serious concerns about election security and compliance with voter verification laws.
This should be a stark warning for Nevada, where our current universal vote-by-mail system lacks critical safeguards to ensure that only eligible voters participate.
The findings from Florida reinforce the urgent need for Nevada to adopt an opt-in system for mail ballots, coupled with strict voter ID validation and penalties for election officials who fail to enforce these measures.
The Dangers of a Lax Mail Ballot System
Under Florida law, a voter requesting a mail ballot must provide either a driver’s license number, a state ID, or the last four digits of their Social Security number.
However, Jurski’s analysis of state election records found that in two counties—Miami-Dade and Pinellas—nearly 70% of mail ballots lacked both forms of identification verification. This means that hundreds of thousands of ballots were processed and counted without confirming the identity of the voter.
Even more concerning, voters reported that election officials were not requiring ID verification when they requested ballots over the phone. Many were able to request ballots by simply providing their name, address, and date of birth—all of which are public record.
In Nevada, the risk is even greater.
A Social Security number or driver’s license is not a proof of U.S. citizenship, meaning non-citizens who hold legal residency could potentially register and vote undetected. Without a robust system to verify citizenship and prevent unauthorized ballots from being cast, our elections remain vulnerable to fraud.
Universal Mail Ballots vs. an Opt-In System
Nevada’s universal vote-by-mail system, where every registered voter automatically receives a ballot, amplifies these risks. Florida, at least, requires voters to request a ballot, making it easier to track and verify legitimate requests. Despite this, Florida still saw hundreds of thousands of unverified ballots slip through.
If this can happen in a state with an opt-in mail voting system, it is even more likely to occur in Nevada, where ballots are mass-mailed to every voter on the rolls—whether they request one or not. Without stricter oversight and voter ID requirements, Nevada could see similar, if not worse, security breaches.
Voter Preferences: Mail Ballots vs. Early Voting
Interestingly, Jurski’s report also suggests that Democrats overwhelmingly preferred early in-person voting over mail ballots, contradicting previous assumptions that mail voting is the dominant choice for their party. On the Republican side, voters overwhelmingly preferred in-person Election Day voting. This raises an important question for Nevada: Who actually benefits from mass mail voting?
A local survey should be conducted to examine Nevada voters’ true preferences for mail-in ballots, early voting, and in-person Election Day voting. If the majority of voters prefer early or in-person voting, this further strengthens the case for ending universal mail ballots and moving to an opt-in system.
The Path Forward: Secure Nevada’s Elections
Nevada lawmakers must take immediate action to implement the following safeguards:
- End universal mail ballots and switch to an opt-in system. Only voters who specifically request a mail ballot should receive one.
- Require strict voter ID verification for all mail ballot requests, including proof of U.S. citizenship.
- Impose penalties on election officials who fail to enforce ID verification laws.
- Audit voter rolls regularly to remove deceased individuals and voters who have moved out of state.
- Investigate potential security breaches related to unverified ballot requests.
Nevada cannot afford to wait until another election cycle is marred by fraud and irregularities. Florida’s mail ballot scandal is a clear warning: without immediate action, our election integrity is at serious risk.
This article was written with the assistance of AI. Please verify information and consult additional sources as needed.
