Broward Ready For Presidential Preference Primary

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FT LAUDERDALE (CBSMiami) — More than 157,000 people in Broward took advantage of the county's nine day early voting period to cast their ballots.

The county's supervisor of elections, Dr. Brenda Snipes, said of those early votes, there were nearly 75,000 absentee ballots returned.

Snipes said she expects this year's presidential preference primary numbers will top previous ones.

"There was a different mix of who was voting and who was not, so I think the numbers this year will surpass the numbers of previous years," said Snipes.

Elections workers spent Monday night preparing the more than 575 precincts in the county.

They carted voting machines, signs and other equipment into polling places like the one at Coral Ridge Mall.

Voter Helen Britton won't be there, though. The Marco Rubio supporter voted early and said she is disturbed by this campaign season.

"How sad it is that we sink so low that it becomes personal rather than what's good for the people and what it is that we need and what we want for our government?" she said.

While many people voted early like Britton, Snipes said they are prepared as they can be for those that show up Election Day.

"We've put everything in place and now we're just waiting for voters. Tomorrow morning at 7 a.m. we'll be ready to receive voters at 577 precincts and we'd like a good turn out. We'd like get to the voters to come on out, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m," said Snipes. "It's really important. This is a critical election and there's enough candidates for somebody to represent every view that a voter may be looking for."

Snipes said those who plan to vote on Tuesday will need to bring with them a picture ID, like a driver's license or state issued identification card. The voter information card is not necessary to vote. It is a helpful tool for the voter to know their districts and polling location.

"We're going to be ready for them. All the equipment is delivered, every is set up for the voters tomorrow," Snipes said. "If they'll just remember to bring their picture ID with signature."

Nearly 200,000 people have voted early or sent in their absentee ballot in Miami-Dade. Across Florida, out of 12 million registered voters, more than two million have already voted.

Click on the corresponding links for more information on each county: Miami-Dade, Broward, Monroe. For statewide voting information, click here.