Election Security

Omali Yeshitela, chairman of the St. Petersburg-based Uhuru Movement, and two others face charges of conspiracy to defraud the U.S. and failing to register with the Justice Department as agents of a foreign government.

Thursday is National Poll Workers Recruitment Day. Federal election officials are working to help local supervisors of elections recruit and retain poll workers, who have faced increasing threats of violence.

Supervisors of elections from Hillsborough, Pasco and Pinellas counties talk about everything voters need to know for 2024, including new voting laws.

Supervisors of elections from Hillsborough, Pasco and Pinellas counties talk about everything voters need to know for 2024, including new voting laws.

They're worried about volunteers becoming the target of threats and coercion.

The office has drawn opposition from Democrats, who have contended it is an attempt to intimidate minority voters.

Omali Yeshitela, Jesse Nevel and Penny Hess spoke out against charges they worked as "Illegal Agents of the Russian Government."

Among those four charged is Omali Yeshitela, chairman of the St. Petersburg-based Uhuru Movement.

The Senate bill immediately drew criticism Monday from Rep. Anna Eskamani, an Orlando Democrat who called it “absurd to drop a 98-page elections bill with just a 24-hour notice for its first hearing.”

Republicans say the program would help migrants by taking them to sanctuary cities. Democrats say it as a political stunt meant to serve the governor’s national political ambitions.

It will address a range of topics, including election crimes and hurricane recovery.

Secretary of State Cord Byrd outlined $3.15 million for the Office of Election Crimes and Security, which was created last year and is staffed by five people.