Memorandum
DATE: September 20, 2004
TO: Interested Media
FROM: Jill Bratina, Governor's Communications Director
RE: Governor's Executive Order Number 04-215

Please see the attached Executive Order Number 04-215, extending the deadline for mailing absentee ballots in counties affected by Hurricane Ivan.

If you have any questions or need additional information, please call the Governor's press office at (850) 488-5394.

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STATE OF FLORIDA
OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR
EXECUTIVE ORDER NUMBER 04-215
(Emergency Management)

     WHEREAS, on September 16, 2004 Hurricane Ivan passed across the panhandle of the State of Florida, disrupting lives of millions of Floridians; and WHEREAS, the effects of Hurricane Ivan include destruction of and damage to public facilities, loss of power and communication lines, and damage to public roads and highways; and
     WHEREAS, the President has declared a State of Emergency for Bay, Calhoun, Dixie, Escambia, Franklin, Gadsden, Gulf, Holmes, Jackson, Jefferson, Leon, Levy, Liberty, Okaloosa, Santa Rosa, Taylor, Wakulla, Walton, and Washington Counties ("Affected Counties"); and WHEREAS, Supervisors of Elections in counties effected by Hurricane Ivan may be significantly hindered from complying with statutory deadlines; and
     WHEREAS, September 18, 2004 is the deadline for County Supervisors of Elections to mail advance absentee ballots for the general election to qualified electors overseas who have requested absentee ballots pursuant to Section 101.62 (4)(a), Florida Statutes; and WHEREAS, it is important to preserve the rights of qualified electors overseas to exercise their right to vote. NOW, THEREFORE, I, JEB BUSH, as Governor of Florida, by virtue of the authority vested in me by Article IV, Section 1(a) of the Florida Constitution and by the Florida Emergency Management Act, as amended, and all other applicable laws, do hereby promulgate the following Executive Order, to take immediate effect:
Section 1:
     Because of the foregoing conditions, I hereby suspend the application of Section 101.62(4)(a), Florida Statutes in the Affected Counties and establish the following limited extension of the deadline for mailing of advance absentee ballots: The Supervisors of Elections in the Affected Counties named above who, as a result of the destruction caused by Hurricane Ivan, are unable to meet the September 18, 2004, mailing deadline, shall have until not later than 5:00 p.m. on Thursday, September 23, 2004, to mail advance absentee ballots to qualified electors overseas in accordance with Section 101.62(4)(a). However, to the maximum extent possible, the Supervisors of Elections should attempt to mail absentee ballots by September 18, 2004, or as soon thereafter as possible within this extended period. Section 2:
     Supervisors in the Affected Counties who are unable to meet the September 18, 2004, deadline because of Hurricane Ivan shall immediately notify the Director of the Division of Elections of the Florida Department of State.
     Section 3:
     The Secretary of State is directed to notify me of any Supervisors of Elections in the Affected Counties who are unable to meet the September 18, 2004, deadline.
     Section 4:
     All executive agencies are directed, and all other state agencies are requested, to render such aid and assistance as needed by the affected Supervisors of Elections to the end that the purposes of this Executive Order may be accomplished.


                                          IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my
hand and caused the Great Seal of the State of Florida to be affixed, at Tallahassee, the Capitol, this 17th day of September, 2004.



_________________________________
GOVERNOR


ATTEST:


______________________________
SECRETARY OF STATE

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