INDIAN RIVER COUNTY SUPERVISOR OF ELECTIONS | MARCH 2025 PRESS RELEASE

Indian River County Supervisor of Elections
Receives National Recognition for Mobile Voter Program
 
The Indian River County Supervisor of Elections team has been recognized nationally for excellence in election administration, receiving both the Stars & Stripes Award and the People’s Choice Award, from the Election Center, the National Association for Election Officials.  These prestigious awards celebrate the team’s outstanding commitment to election integrity, voter engagement, and innovative election processes.  The Election Center, a nonpartisan organization dedicated to promoting excellence in elections administration, presents these awards annually to recognize outstanding achievements in election operations across the country.
The Elections team rolled out a unique program in 2024 in response to changes made by the Florida Legislature affecting vote-by-mail (VBM) ballot requests.  The new legislation requires voters to re-apply for VBM ballots after each general election cycle.  Requests for VBM ballots have historically been valid through two general elections cycles, up to 4 years.   This change in law, combined with the Supervisor of Elections ongoing quest for inclusive democracy, challenged the staff to develop a program that would help inspire voters to engage in the election process.
A big push was necessary to reach voters who depend on ballots delivered by mail.  The Supervisor of Elections formulated a month-long program to collaborate with the Senior Resource Association.  The Mobile Voter Program (MVP) was implemented as a means to deliver election information and increase civic engagement to those who may be homebound or have limited mobility. 
The Senior Resource Association is recognized as the lead agency in Indian River County for promoting home and community-based services to older adults and transportation for all.  By partnering with the Senior Resource Association, the Supervisor of Elections team could personally engage those served by the Senior Resource Association.
The Elections Office staff created Mobile Voter Packets containing a voter registration application, a vote-by-mail request form, a voter guide, a government officials guide, a frequently asked questions brochure, a bottle of water, pen, American flag, and a sweet treat. A total of 1,800 Mobile Voter Packets were assembled for distribution.
Beginning the first week in January, Election Office staff were on site for the Senior Resource Association’s Congregate Meal Program, which provides meals 5 days per week for some 300 people. Meals are provided at five separate locations throughout the county.  All in attendance at the meal sites were provided a Mobile Voter Packet and the opportunity to have their voting questions answered.
 
 
During the second week in January, the Elections Office took part in the Meals on Wheels program.  This program provides meals to individuals who may not have the resources to access or prepare food due to lack of transportation, functional limitations or health problems. Elections staff rode along with Meals on Wheels volunteers delivering hot lunches to seniors at their home and provided them with election information contained in the Mobile Voter Packet.  Over 500 informational packets were distributed throughout the week.
As part of the ongoing mobile program, during the third week of January, Supervisor of Elections staff traveled on the Senior Resource Association’s GoLine; Indian River County’s no cost public transit system.  Buses provide service along 15 fixed routes throughout the county.  The team at the Elections Office rode on several bus routes throughout the week providing riders with Supervisor of Elections contact cards and offering riders the opportunity to register to vote.  Throughout the election cycle, high traffic bus routes displayed advertising, containing a QR code directing bus riders to register to vote, update their voter record, or request a vote-by-mail ballot.
The Senior Resource Association also operates the Community Coach, a door-to-door transit system for eligible riders with no other means of transportation.  Community Coach accommodates riders who use wheelchairs, walkers, canes, service animals and other mobility aids. Throughout the entire month of January, Community Coach Drivers provided over 1,000 riders with Mobile Voter Packets. 
“We are incredibly honored to receive these awards,” said Leslie Rossway Swan, Indian River County Supervisor of Elections. “These recognitions reflect the hard work and dedication of our entire team in ensuring fair, transparent, and accessible elections for the voters of Indian River County,”