TALLAHASSEE, Fla – As persistent misconceptions leave many voters questioning whether their ballots truly count, local civic advocacy groups in Leon County are working to rebuild public trust and encourage turnout ahead of the midterm elections.
According to political advocacy groups like the League of Women Voters, there are harmful myths around voting and many wonder if their vote actually counts.
Gallop Franklin, State Rep. for Leon and Gadsden County, advises electors to maintain situational awareness.
“The most difficult part when it comes to campaigning and its hurdles, is trying to help people understand how government truly does impact their day-to-day lives,” stressed Franklin. “Government is not just someplace called Mount Olympus in the sky, it’s a real organization, an institution that truly has the power to help people’s lives be better.”
There are several organizations dedicated to informing voters of their rights, voting processes, and how to hold officials accountable. Among these is Tallahassee African American Local Election Review Team (A.L.E.R.T).
Through policy research, forums and community consensus they want voters to get informed, stay engaged and be empowered.
Serenity Williams, head of political campaigning and strategy at ALERT, articulates how the vote counting process have safety blocks to ensure all of them are accounted for.
Williams expressed that ballots are electronically counted, certified locally by state supervisor of the elections office, then goes through another round of certification by the Sectary of state.
“It goes through a multi-layered process that is led by our local supervisor of elections, Mark Early, he’s been very good,” said Williams.
Vote counting is a straightforward process that doesn’t warrant concern, unless there is Federal intervention, according to Williams.
“What I would be concerned about is if we’re seeing outside actors trying to infiltrate or try to take ballots, we need to keep our eye out on the certification before Trump and the judicial system come in and try to throw out votes.” Williams said.
According to a recent poll done by the States United Democracy Center, 7 in 10 Americans are confident their vote will be counted as intended in the 2026 midterms.
ALERT members say despite the negative connotations minorities associate with voting, they use the past as motivation to cast their vote instead of using it as a determent.
Jamila Robinson, Tallahassee native, ALERT member, voices that the ability to vote should not be taken lightly.
“My family was enslaved here in Jefferson County and Madison County, we literally died for the right to do this,” emphasized Robinson. “So, educate yourselves; utilize the right that was not given to us easily.”
ALERT advocates that citizens should exercise their right to vote and stay informed with local elections that directly impact their communities.
Ultimately, community organizers emphasize that national politics may dominate the headlines, but the real power to change daily life begins at the local polling place.
