Alachua County Canvassing Board 2026 Primary Election

Alachua County's Canvassing Board will oversee the 2026 Primary Election, certifying absentee and provisional ballots and verifying vote counts.

The board comprises the Supervisor of Elections, a County Court Judge serving as chair, and a County Commissioner. Florida Statute 102.141 requires the board to replace any member who is a candidate with opposition or campaigns for an opposing candidate.

The Supervisor of Elections designates the meeting location within the county and must provide public notice at least 48 hours before canvassing ballots. Notice runs in local newspapers or posts in at least four conspicuous county locations and must specify an exact time.

All election returns must reach the board by noon the day after the election. If returns are missing, incomplete, or contain obvious errors, the board orders a recount for that precinct. The board cannot alter vote totals as recorded by election inspectors.

A recount is mandatory when a candidate loses or a measure fails by one-half of 1 percent or less of votes cast, unless the defeated candidate requests otherwise. The board examines machine counters and ballot tabulations before canvassing; if discrepancies arise, the machine count is presumed correct.

The board may hire clerical staff, with at least one board member present throughout the canvass. After certifying results to the Department of State, the board files a report documenting equipment malfunctions, unusual circumstances, and other relevant information.