Lee County pulls faulty voting machine during pre-primary tests, highlights transparency

FORT MYERS, Fla. (WINK) — Ahead of next month’s primary elections, Lee County election officials put voting equipment and tabulation systems to the test on Friday, weeding out a faulty machine in a process designed to bolster public confidence.

Gathered on the third floor of the Melvin Morgan Constitutional Complex, election officials, IT personnel, and the Canvassing Board conducted a rigorous logic and accuracy trial. The public testing of vote-by-mail scanners, early voting gear, and Election Day tabulators is a mandatory requirement under Florida law.

Lee County Supervisor of Elections Jenna Persons-Mulicka, navigating her first primary election cycle in the role, said catching an issue during routine trials demonstrates that the county’s multi-layered security safeguards are functioning as intended.

"We had an operational error with one of the pieces of equipment, and it will be removed and not utilized in the primary election," Persons-Mulicka said. "The test worked as intended. That is why we test our equipment because we want to make sure they're operational and that they produce accurate results."

The public display of transparency drew praise from local voters. Susan Knutson, a resident of Pelican Preserve who already cast her vote-by-mail ballot, attended to observe the proceedings.

"I think that it's an excellent thing to do because it will dissuade anyone from having any questions later on," Knutson said.

Early voting for the primary cycle is scheduled to kick off on August 8, followed by Primary Election Day on August 18.

To maintain strict impartiality, Persons-Mulicka has officially recused herself from the county Canvassing Board for this election cycle due to family members and endorsed candidates appearing on the ballot.

Certification duties are instead being handled by an independent board consisting of County Judge Zachary Gills, State Attorney’s Office Chief of Investigations J.S. Purdy, and Elections IT Director Todd Putnam.

WINK Investigates Chief Reporter Chorus Nylander asked Persons-Mulicka whether there was enough separation, since Putnam is a member of her staff and whether her presence during the testing could present an issue. She responded, “Oh, absolutely not. And any member of the public can come to any of our canvassing board meetings. I took an oath to uphold the Constitution, and I have a job to make sure the election is run accurately and fairly. And I'm going to do my job, and I am in an advisory capacity to the canvassing board.”