Davie Ballots Due Tuesday

DAVIE (CBSMiami) – Residents in Davie have a Tuesday deadline to return a ballot that could raise taxes to help put more police officers in local schools.

"The deadline is today, I know, and I wanted to get it done ahead of time; so I did it last week," said voter Irene DeGroot.

Still, the fact that the election was purely through mail-in ballot left some voters confused.

"It was readily apparent that this was a mail-in ballot because we kept thinking, my wife and I, we could come vote at the last minute," said voter William Gillelane.

According to CBS4 news partner the Miami Herald, the ballot has 12 charter amendments on it. The question on the raising of taxes is a straw ballot, which means its non-binding.

The tax money would pay to put police officers in local elementary schools, according to the Herald. Officers already police Davie middle and high schools.

"Being a parent with a little one in school with everything that's been going on, whenever you do see a cop here, it's nice to know your kids are being watched out for while you're at work," said Melissa Sigmon.

Police officers were put in elementary schools after the Sandy Hook shooting, but Davie Police said keeping the officers there was too much of a strain on financial resources.

The ballots can be dropped off at the Davie Town Hall at 6591 Orange Dr. by 4 p.m., or at the Supervisor of Elections Office at 115 S. Andrews Ave., Room 102 in Fort Lauderdale or the branch office at the Lauderhill Mall at 1501 NW 40th Ave. by 7 p.m.

(TM and © Copyright 2013 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2013 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Miami Herald contributed to this report.)