Are mail-in ballots less secure since they’re not cast in person?
No.
Mail-in and absentee ballots are secure. States use multiple safeguards to verify that the person submitting the ballot is the eligible voter.
In Florida, for example, officials compare the signature on the ballot envelope with the voter’s signature on file. Other states require a witness signature, notarization, or a signed affidavit swearing the voter’s identity. These steps provide protections similar to in-person voting.
Marking the ballot of another person is illegal and considered a third degree felony in Florida.
Claims that voting by mail increases the risk of overall voting fraud has been consistently debunked. Studies have proven that increased demand for mail ballots has not been accompanied by a rise in voter fraud.
While the process differs by state, election officials have consistent checks in place to ensure the security of mail ballots and the integrity of election results.
This fact brief is responsive to conversations such as this one.
— Clinton Engelberger
Does Florida have the cheapest in-state college tuition in the country?
Yes.
In addition to being ranked No. 1 higher education for nearly a decade by U.S. News and World Report, Florida also boasts the lowest average in-state college tuition in the country.
The average in-state tuition in the Sunshine State was $6,360 for the 2024-25 school year. This figure is for full-time undergraduate students attending four-year public institutions. It includes both tuition and fees.
That’s nearly half the national average of $11,610, meaning Florida students paid about $5,250 less than most of their peers. After Florida, the states with the next lowest average tuition are Wyoming, Nevada, Georgia and Utah. Vermont ranks the highest.
Florida’s tuition has been lower than most states for years, and that trend is expected to continue. The State University System of Florida estimates that in-state tuition for the 2025-26 school year will average $6,093 — even lower than the year before.
This fact brief is responsive to conversations such as this one.
— Clinton Engelberger
