Overview

The (state) Elections Canvassing Commission is the final certifying authority of election returns in Florida. One uncommon feature about it is that it does not include the Secretary of State.

Election-Related Duties

The key duties of the Elections Canvassing Commission are:

1. Certifying the returns of the election for each federal, state, and multi-county office. Fla. Stat. § 102.111(1).
   1. This certification meeting must take place at 8 a.m. on the 14th day after the general election. Fla. Stat. § 102.111(1).
2. Recertifying corrected election returns if a County Canvassing Board discovers that there was a “typographical error” in the original official returns of the county that could alter the outcome of an election. This recertification must take place within five days after the Elections Canvassing Commission has certified the election results. Fla. Stat. § 102.111(2).

Selection and Vacancy Information

• Ex Officio and Appointed: The Elections Canvassing Commission consists of the Governor and two members of the Executive Cabinet who are selected by the Governor — all serving ex officio. Fla. Stat. § 102.111(1).**
• Vacancy: If there is a vacancy, the Governor appoints a remaining member of the Executive Cabinet to the Commission. Fla. Stat. § 102.111(1). If there is another vacancy (e.g., the Governor is incapacitated), the remaining members of the Commission must agree on some other elected official to fill the vacancy. Fla. Stat. § 102.111(1).******