Meet Your Supervisor
Dana Southerland....
- Lifelong resident of Taylor County
- Year elected - 2008 / Took office January 1, 2009 / Currently serving 2nd term
- State Certified Supervisor of Elections
- Employed with Taylor County Government for over twenty-five years
- Worked in the elections office eight years prior to being elected
- Married to Mark Southerland and has three children Drew, Beth and Tony
Florida State Association Supervisor of Elections Comittees...
- New SOE Orientation Committee (2012-2013)
- FSASE Legislative Committee (District 3, 2010-2011, 2011-2012)
- FSASE Florida Certified Elections Professional (FCEP) Committee (2010-2011, 2011-2012, 2012-2013)
- FSASE Communications and Publications Committee (2009-2010)
- FSASE New Supervisor Committee (2009-2010)
- Has attended over 750 hours of instructional election related classes/seminars/conferences
Community Involvement...
- Member of New Home Baptist Church
- Member of Perry Women's Club (2011-2013)
- Served on PTO at various schools for many years (served as Treasurer and President)
- Served as Secretary for the School Advisory Council
- Served as Chairperson for the Taylor Education Foundation Mini-Grant Committee for several years
- TCHS Reading/Email Buddy (2009-2010)
- 4 H Florida Livestock Supporter (2009-2012)
- Member of the Taylor County Chamber of Commerce
- Optimist Club Kids Fishing Tournament Sponsor
- Project Graduation Sponsor
- Florida Forest Festival Little King/Queen Pageant Sponsor
- Taylor County Touchdown Club
- Perry Kiwanis - Flag Sponsor
- Boy Scouts of America Sponsor
Accomplishments since taking office...
- Has assisted in registering over 200 high school students to vote
- Implemented the "Vote in Honor of a Vet" program for Taylor County
Responsibilities of a Supervisor:
Florida Statutes mandates the duties and responsibilities of the Supervisor of Elections. As an elected Florida constitutional officer, the Taylor County Supervisor of Elections must follow all state and federal election laws. The Supervisor of Elections office is responsible for much more than the actual election day logistics and management. To keep you informed below is a list of a few of those duties:
Voter Registration:
- Register potential voters
- Issue voter information cards
Elections:
- Administer all Federal, State, District and County elections
- Administer Municipal elections when requested and contracted with by the City of Perry
- Qualify candidates for county offices
- Assist candidates with campaign finance reports and financial disclosures along with the many other forms pertaining to a candidate and their candidacy
- Maintain all election equipment
- Employ and train all poll workers (Taylor County currently has a pool of approximately 150 poll workers)
- Provide information and statistics on voter registration, vote history and archived elections
- Assist those voters who are residents of the Nursing Home as well as those voters who might be hospitalized on election day
- Serve as a member of the Taylor County Canvassing Board
- Certify election results to the Department of State
- Administer absentee ballots (as mandated by Florida Statutes)
- Secure adequate polling locations
- Verify signatures for initiative petitions and candidate qualifying petitions
Record Management:
- Administration of voter registration lists
- List maintenance (as mandated by state and federal laws)
- Public record requests(with restrictions as outlined in Florida Statutes)
- Storage and maintenance of records
- Archive, retention and destruction of records
Voter Education:
- General voter information
- Assist with community sponsored activities by providing voter education
- Publications such as the Taylor County Voter's Guide, Why should I Vote, Vote In Honor of a Vet and Are You Thinking About Running for Office
- Voter registration drive at the local high school
- Petition verification and certification process
- Candidate assistance, (county, district, state and federal)
- Constitutional amendments and county issues
- Research and preparation of qualifying packets
- Assist with various forms distributed by the Supervisor of Elections and the Division of Elections
- Pre-filing, qualifying and certifying candidates
- Campaign report management and review
- Participate in educating all ages of students on the importance of voting (Pre K through 12th grade)
- Assist in Civil Right Restoration
Security Procedures:
- Update and maintain Security Procedures in compliance with Rule IS-2.015
- Assist Political Parties, PAC's and Committees of Continous Existence
- Update all poll worker manuals to assist poll workers in the election laws and rules implemented by the State and to ensure that all equipment is secure and procedures are in place so that all elections are conducted to the highest standard possible
- Update all forms as changes are made by the State
The Supervisor of Elections is also responsible for election related activities such as:
- Lay-out and programming of optical scan and touch screen balloting
- Repair and maintenance of all election equipment
- Providing adequate polling sites
- Providing statistical information on voters, voting rights and responsibilities and all areas pertaining to elections
The Supervisor of Elections is also:
- Filing officer for financial disclosures (Form 1) reports from elected and appointed officials
- Serves as the local contact with the Commission on Ethics