Dave Elias
•7/24/2026
Lee County conducted a logic and accuracy test on its voting equipment ahead of Florida's primary election, during which one machine failed and was removed from use.
The test, designed to ensure all equipment functions properly for the upcoming election, revealed an issue with Tabulator #3, one of the machines used to count votes.
"We had an operational error with one of the pieces of equipment, and it will be removed and not utilized in the primary election," said Jenna Persons-Mulicka, recently appointed as Lee County's supervisor of elections by Gov. Ron DeSantis.
Only two residents attended the test, raising questions about the system's accuracy.
"Were all those different papers tested in your test deck?" one asked.
"Has that training been given to the poll workers?" another inquired.
Persons-Mulicka expressed confidence that the failed machine would not impact vote counting on election night.
"What is key is making sure we have a secure and fair system in place," she said.
Her comments follow recent remarks by former President Donald Trump, who cast doubt on the nation's election system.
"Like President Trump, we take fraud seriously in the state of Florida," Persons-Mulicka said.
Persons-Mulicka has faced online criticism because both she and her father are on the ballot this year. She addressed concerns by explaining her decision to recuse herself from the canvassing board, which examines ballots and determines the validity of votes in question.
"I recused myself from the canvassing board for two reasons, for the entire election cycle, one because I'm a candidate myself and I supported candidates prior to being appointed as supervisor of elections for Lee County," she said.
She also emphasized her limited involvement in the election process.
"I have limited my access. I personally have zero access to where ballots are stored or where the tabulators reside," she said.
Vote-by-mail ballots have already been sent out. Early voting begins on August 8 and runs through August 15, with Election Day scheduled for August 18.
