Gov. Ron DeSantis tried to vote in Florida. Police say a 20-year-old Naples man had changed his address
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) made an alarming discovery when he arrived at an early voting location in Tallahassee, FL. —his primary address had been changed to a residence in West Palm Beach, FL, according to The Washington Post.
On Monday, DeSantis arrived at the Leon County Courthouse to cast his vote for the presidential election.
After launching an investigation, state investigators learned that the change was not a computer error, but rather a deliberate, falsified act. According to court documents, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement discovered that a man identified as Anthony Steven Guevara, of Naples, FL, had made the change.
Based on Florida laws, voters only need to provide their date of birth to change their address through Florida's Department of State's website. Guevara admitted to law enforcement that he found the governor's birth date through Wikipedia. The 20-year-old has now been arrested and charged with two third-degree felonies, including voter fraud.
The incident involving the governor has raised concerns about the state's voting system and its level of security. With Election Day just five days away, local residents are concerned they could similar problems at the polls next week. Less than one month ago, the Florida elections website also crashed on the last day of voter registration. However, Florida Secretary of State Laurel Lee (R) insists voting concerns are "unfounded."
Despite Guevara being able to easily use the state's system and change the address of the state's top government employee, Lee attempted to assure voters that the state's voting system is "secure."
"There is no evidence to suggest that this change was made through the Florida Department of State," Lee said. "We commend the Florida Department of Law Enforcement on their swift action to bringing this malicious actor to justice. The situation was corrected immediately."
On Wednesday morning, Guevara was released from Collier County Jail where he had been held on a $5,000 bond.
