Local resident mistakenly removed from voter registration list

August 28, 2018

TALLAHASEE, Fla. (WCTV) -- Thomas Brown said one of the top things on his to do list Tuesday was to cast a ballot in the Florida primary election. That plan was quickly shot down.

Brown arrived at his polling place and was told he had been purged from the list. He said he went to the Supervisor of Elections Office only to find out that he was taken off the list in place of someone who has a criminal record.

Brown said, for him, voting is something he takes seriously and when he wasn't able to cast his vote Tuesday morning, it was embarrassing; and also a harsh reality for what could happen to other people.

"For me to be mistakenly removed from the voter registration list, and not able to vote is very troubling to me," Brown said. "I think of those individuals who would not have made the effort to get back on the list as quickly as I did, and have some idea of what you should do,"

WCTV reached out to the Supervisor of Elections Office, who confirmed the mistake did happen. It was corrected and Brown’s name was placed back on the list.

Leon County Supervisor of Elections Mark Earley says it was human error, and he believes this is an isolated incident.

Both Brown and the person who was supposed to be removed have the same name and middle initial. Earley explained that with a little digging this could have been prevented.

According to Earley, the error is the fault of the Elections Office and the state for not following through to obtain more information. But, he also says a letter would have been sent to Brown, and an ad placed in the paper notifying him of the purge.

Brown denies ever getting a letter. He did say however, that he was thankful the matter was resolved and he was able to cast his ballot.