Canvassing board recesses until 4 p.m.; counsel cites posting requirements

The Seminole County canvassing board voted to recess at 10:30 a.m. and reconvene at 4:00 p.m. to allow staff time to process incoming mail ballots and small batches, the board said after a staff recommendation. The motion to recess was moved, seconded and approved with no opposition.

County counsel quoted state law and urged public notice steps before taking a recess longer than 60 minutes. "The board must post on the supervisor's website anticipated time at which the board expects to reconvene," said Judge Andrew Lenius of the County Attorney's Office. The board also agreed to post notices on the supervisor's front and back doors and on social media.

Staff recommended the recess to give employees time to canvas ballots arriving that morning and prepare for tabulation later in the day. The board adopted the staff recommendation and voted to reconvene at 4:00 p.m.; if the board does not reconvene at the posted time, counsel said, it must provide a two-hour public notice prior to reconvening under the statute cited.

The board formally declared the recess at the end of the morning session and said at least one alternate member would be present when the canvass resumes at 4:00 p.m.