Clearwater elections office says 'Second Notice' mailers aren't official

Clearwater voters are receiving envelopes stamped "Second Notice" in large red letters, but the Pinellas County Supervisor of Elections Office says the mailings are not from the government and registered voters do not need to respond.

The envelopes contain voter registration or vote-by-mail applications sent by third-party outreach groups, WTSP reported Sept. 15. The forms are applications, not ballots. Receiving one does not change a voter's registration.

No action required, officials say

"Most people who are already registered to vote in Florida do not need to worry about re-registering to vote," said Ashley McKnight-Taylor of the Pinellas County Supervisor of Elections Office.

McKnight-Taylor urged residents not to fill out paperwork they did not request and to practice common-sense security about sharing personal information.

What Clearwater voters should do instead

Voters who have moved, changed their name or want to vote by mail should verify their information directly through the Pinellas County Supervisor of Elections website or by calling 727-464-VOTE.

Standing mail-ballot requests no longer valid

One wrinkle that could add to the confusion: All Pinellas County mail ballot requests expired Dec. 31, 2024, under a change to Florida law, according to the Supervisor of Elections Office. Voters who previously had a standing request on file must renew it for the 2026 elections through the official elections office, not through any third-party mailer.

Supervisor of Elections Julie Marcus reminded voters in June, after redistricting prompted new Voter Information Cards, to "carefully review the information on their new Voter Information Cards … including name, address and political party affiliation … to make sure it is correct." Official election mail comes from the Supervisor of Elections Office, not outside groups.

Key deadlines ahead of the November election