Early Voting Underway In Miami-Dade
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MIAMI (CBSMiami) – Registered voters in Miami-Dade and Monroe counties who want to avoid the long lines that usually form on election day can begin casting their ballots Monday in the August Primary Election.
"We are very excited about this election," said Miami-Dade Supervisor of Elections Christina White. "We are offering 14 full days of early voting which was not in the last presidential election cycle."
It's only the second time the county has scheduled a full 14 days of early voting.
Early voting runs through Sunday, August 28th, at 20 sites throughout the county. If voters wait until Election Day, they will have to cast their ballot at their assigned precinct.
Miami Dade Sample Ballot For August Primary
Monroe Co. Sample Ballots For August Primary
Primary Election Day is on August 30th. Florida is a closed Primary state. This means you must be a registered Republican or Democrat in order to vote. You can also be registered in one of the cities holding elections on that date.
Registered voters have the option of voting by mail, early voting or voting on Election Day.
Carmen Gimenez was so excited about voting early that she took to social media to encourage others to do the same. She went live on Facebook just minutes before making her way into Miami-Dade Elections headquarters.
"It's really nice that people come out and vote early and you have to be an example, if people see that you are voting, it will encourage them to come out and follow," said Gimenez.
A crowd turned out at Miami-Dade's government center to cast their ballots this first day of early voting.
Sen. Marco Rubio was among those getting an early start at a west Miami location. He's expected to prevail over Carlos Beruff in the GOP primary.
White said the ballot for the August primary covers a number of state and municipal offices.
"You have everything from Senate races, to state House, county mayor, county judges, commissioners, School Board members, essentially it's a state primary race," said White.
The highest profile race in Miami-Dade features incumbent Mayor Carlos Gimenez being challenged by school board member Raquel Regalado, the daughter of Miami Mayor Tomas Regalado.
Democratic voters in a portion of the county that extends from Golden Beach to South Beach will also vote in the congressional race between incumbent Democrat Debbie Wasserman Schultz and her challenger, Tim Canova.
Gimenez said the process was quick, easy and, most of all, important.
"The people that you are going to select will change your county or city how they run it," said Gimenez.
During the early voting period, wait times for all 20 sites will be posted on the Elections Department's website and will be updated throughout the day, so that voters can make an informed decision as to when and where is most convenient for them.
In Broward, early voting runs from August 20th to August 28th.
