A new statewide fact-check out of Orlando is trying to clear the air as the 2026 cycle ramps up. WKMG's ClickOrlando pulled together and vetted 39 common voting myths with help from local supervisors and a News 6 analysis of the voter file. For Central Florida readers, the practical message is pretty simple: check your registration status, learn your county's mail ballot rules, and treat viral claims about purges or criminal penalties with a healthy dose of skepticism.
ClickOrlando's roundup pulls together statutes, county procedures, and reporting to knock down each claim one by one. The package was reviewed by Lake County Elections Supervisor Alan Hays and others. According to ClickOrlando, the list covers everything from who may return a mail ballot to whether a single blank race voids an entire ballot. We boiled the essentials down for readers who want the local angle and the rules that actually affect votes.
A quick look at the voter rolls
State data help explain a lot of the online panic. The Division of Elections reported 13,363,555 active registered voters as of Jan. 31, 2026, down from 14,257,135 in 2024, with party totals shifting in that span. Per the Florida Division of Elections, changes in the "active" tally reflect routine maintenance and reclassification, and names marked "inactive" stay on county rolls until they are canceled under the law. County officials say many people labeled inactive can be moved back to active status with a quick call or a visit to the supervisor's office.
Ballot photos: legal but limited
One myth to stop sharing right now is that you automatically commit a crime if you take a picture of your own paper ballot in the booth. Florida law forbids photography in the polling room or early voting area, but it also expressly states that an elector may photograph his or her own ballot. Election supervisors stress that the allowance is narrow: photograph only your ballot, do not capture other voters or other ballots, and avoid posting images that could be used for coercion or vote buying.
Who can return a vote by mail ballot
Another recurring claim falls apart under closer inspection. It is not true that you can never return someone else's mail ballot, but Florida law and county practice are stricter than some social media posts suggest. Supervisors say voters may return their own ballot, ballots for immediate family members, and up to two non-family ballots. A written designee may also pick up ballots from the elections office if the proper form and ID are provided. Voters are urged to check their local supervisor's FAQ for the exact designation form and the two-ballot cap, which is spelled out on county pages, including Seminole County's voter FAQ.
Postage, drop boxes and delivery
Many Central Florida counties include a postage-paid return envelope inside vote-by-mail packets, while others do not. Supervisors also note that ballots with insufficient postage generally still arrive and that any postage due charges are handled administratively. Several counties, for example, publish that they provide prepaid return postage and list secure ballot intake locations on their websites. Voters should check their county packet or the supervisor's site before mailing. If you are unsure where to drop a ballot, county pages list early voting locations, secure intake boxes, and the hours they operate.
Felony restoration remains a legal snag
Amendment 4 restored voting rights for many people with felony convictions upon completion of all terms of the sentence, but state implementation and court rulings have created confusion about whether unpaid fines, fees, or restitution block reenfranchisement. The legislature's implementing law and subsequent litigation have left disparities in guidance and enforcement, and courts have been central to sorting out the rule's reach. Returning citizens who are uncertain about their status are advised to consult legal aid groups and restoration organizations before attempting to register or vote. Summaries of the key cases and opinions provide the basic legal context.
What Central Florida voters should do
In practice, a few basic steps solve most problems. Look up your registration and party status on the Division of Elections site, sign up for your county's ballot tracking tool, and contact your county Supervisor of Elections if you find an "inactive" flag or need a designee form. County pages spell out whether your mail packet includes prepaid postage, where secure drop boxes will be located, and how to cure a signature issue, so it is worth bookmarking your supervisor's site before election day. If you or someone you assist is a returning citizen with a felony record, reach out to a rights restoration group for casework before you register.
The ClickOrlando fact check functions as a long primer and a handy reference. For most Central Florida voters, the fix is straightforward: verify, track, and ask your county office when something online sounds alarming. Official supervisor pages and state data remain the clearest path to correct answers when social media serves up yet another voting myth.
