Overview

At each polling location, the County Sheriff deputizes an individual to be present whenever polling locations or early voting sites are open. Fla. Stat. § 102.031(2). This Deputy “is charged with maintaining good order.” “Polling Place Procedures Manual” at 5; see also Fla. Stat. § 102.031(2). Normally, Deputies focus on what is going on outside the polling room because law enforcement officers are not allowed inside a polling place unless they are there to personally vote or have permission from the Clerk or a majority of the Inspectors. Fla. Stat. § 102.101. The law is not entirely clear as to whether an individual serving as a Deputy Sheriff on Election Day has to actually be a law enforcement officer the rest of the year (and who is simply hired to serve off-duty for this role), or if the individual filling this role is simply deputized for the day so that they have the authority to “maintain peace and order at the polls or early voting sites.” Fla. Stat. § 102.031(2).

Election-Related Duties

The key duties of the Deputy Sheriff are:

1. “[M]aintaining good order at the polls and early voting sites.” “Polling Place Procedures Manual” at 5.
2. Ensuring that voters are not solicited inside the polling place or within 150 feet of a secure ballot intake station, or the office of the Supervisors of Elections. [1] Fla. Stat. § 102.031(4)(a).
3. Delineating and marking “no-solicitation zones” at the polling place or early voting site. Fla. Stat. § 102.031(4)(a).

Selection and Vacancy Information

• Appointed: The Deputy is appointed by the Sheriff of the county. “Polling Place Procedures Manual” at 5.
• Qualifications:
  • An individual must have completed the training conducted by the Supervisor of Elections before they can serve as a deputy sheriff for an election. Fla. Stat. § 102.014(1).
  • An individual must be able to read and write the English language. Fla. Stat. § 102.012(2).
  • An individual must be a registered (or pre-registered) voter in the county in which the individual will serve as a poll worker. Fla. Stat. § 102.012(2).

Footnotes