Issues & Platform | DéMaria Artis for Lee County Supervisor of Elections

Integrity

We safeguard every vote.

The foundation of democratic government is a ballot that is counted accurately, a process that follows the law faithfully, and an elections office that has earned the public's trust. DéMaria Artis is committed to administering every election in Lee County with uncompromising integrity — from the first ballot cast to the final canvass certification.

Integrity is not a talking point — it is a standard that must be built into every procedure, every deadline, and every decision the elections office makes. That means documented, auditable processes for every ballot from the moment it is received to the moment the canvass is certified. It means welcoming observers from all parties and perspectives, because transparency is what earns public trust. And it means a Supervisor who follows the law fully — not selectively.

DéMaria's Commitments on Integrity:

Documented, auditable chain-of-custody procedures for all ballots — from receipt and processing through tabulation and certification.
Full compliance with Florida Statutes governing election administration — no shortcuts, no exceptions, no partisan deviation.
Robust post-election audit program to verify tabulation accuracy and give every voter confidence that results are correct.
Open canvassing processes: bipartisan poll watchers and public observers welcomed in full accordance with Florida law.

Accessibility

Every voter, every voice.

A voter who cannot access the ballot has been effectively disenfranchised — whether due to distance, disability, language, work schedule, or lack of transportation. The Supervisor of Elections has a legal and moral obligation to make voting as accessible as the law allows for every eligible Lee County resident.

DéMaria Artis is committed to maximizing early voting locations, ensuring ADA-compliant polling sites, and providing clear, accurate voter registration information in formats accessible to Lee County's diverse population.

DéMaria's Commitments on Accessibility:

Maximize early voting locations and hours to serve working families across the county.
Ensure all polling places meet or exceed ADA accessibility requirements.
Provide voter registration and election information in multiple languages where federally required and community-appropriate.
Proactive outreach to Lee County's diverse communities — including veterans, seniors, rural residents, and voters displaced or affected by Hurricanes Ian, Helene, and Milton.
A published 90-day polling-place accessibility audit within the first three months of taking office, with a public action plan to close identified gaps.

Security

Protecting elections. Protecting trust.

Election security is not a partisan issue — it is a baseline requirement for democratic government. Lee County's elections infrastructure must be protected from external threats, internal errors, and bad actors of any political stripe.

DéMaria Artis supports robust cybersecurity practices for elections systems, regular testing and verification of tabulation equipment, and coordination with state and federal election security partners to keep Lee County's voter data and infrastructure secure.

DéMaria's Commitments on Security:

Regular logic and accuracy testing of all tabulation equipment before each election.
Coordination with Florida Secretary of State's office and CISA on cybersecurity best practices for election infrastructure.
Strict voter roll maintenance procedures — keeping the list accurate and current without purging eligible voters.
Zero tolerance for unauthorized access to elections data or systems — and full cooperation with state and federal investigative bodies when breaches are suspected.
Documented, tested contingency plans for equipment failure, natural disaster, and cybersecurity incidents, reviewed before every election cycle.

Transparency

Open, honest, accountable.

The Lee County Supervisor of Elections must be one of the most transparent offices in local government. Voters deserve to know how their ballots are processed, how the voter rolls are maintained, and how the elections office spends taxpayer money.

DéMaria Artis is committed to proactive public disclosure — not waiting for public records requests, but publishing election data, reports, and office activities in formats that ordinary voters can access and understand.

DéMaria's Commitments on Transparency:

Publish precinct-level results promptly on election night and in certified canvass documents.
Maintain a publicly accessible, up-to-date website with election schedules, voter registration information, and office reports.
Welcome bipartisan poll watchers and observers in accordance with Florida law.
Annual public reporting on elections office operations, staffing, and budget use — published in plain language, not bureaucratic boilerplate.
A transparency dashboard for canvassing-board decisions, post-election audit results, and precinct-level turnout data — accessible to any Lee County voter without a records request.

Service

We are here for our community.

The Supervisor of Elections is, above all, a public servant. Every interaction between the elections office and a Lee County voter — whether at a polling place, on the phone, or online — is an opportunity to serve with professionalism, patience, and care.

DéMaria Artis's background in healthcare has given her a deep appreciation for what it means to serve people when it matters most. She brings that same standard to public service: listen first, respond with clarity, and treat every person with dignity.

DéMaria's Commitments on Service:

Responsive, courteous service at every voter contact point — in person, by phone, and online.
Regular community outreach events, voter registration drives, and "Know Before You Go" voter education initiatives.
Staff training focused on serving voters equitably regardless of background, party, or neighborhood.
A Supervisor who attends community events, visits polling locations, and remains accessible to the voters she serves — not only during election season but year-round.
Clear, timely responses to voter inquiries — a commitment that every person who contacts the office receives a professional, helpful answer without runaround.

Issues & Commitments