Voters Go To Polls In August Primary
MIAMI (CBSMiami) - Polling stations across the state opened at 7 a.m. Tuesday for the August Primary Election.
The Primary Election not only has party-specific races, but also nonpartisan races that are applicable to all registered voters—regardless of party affiliation.
The highest-profile primary pits former Gov. Charlie Crist against former Senate Minority Leader Nan Rich in seeking the Democratic nomination for governor.
Both Crist and Rich took time Monday evening to call potential voters.
"I got your vote, you got my heart," Crist told a voter named Michael.
Governor Scott is running against Yinka Abosede Adeshina and Elizabeth Cuevas-Neunder in the Republican primary race for governor. He didn't make any public appearances Monday, but his supporters campaigned on his behalf just outside Crist's office.
Democrats George Sheldon and Perry Thurston will compete to become the party's nominee for Attorney General.
Also on the ballot are several congressional races along with contests for county commission, school board and the courts.
In total, more than 29,000 people voted early in Miami Dade. Another 19,000 cast ballots ahead of time in Broward.
That's where both Rich and Crist will await the results Tuesday night.
"I understand why he's here, because there's so many Democratic voters in Broward," Nan Rich said.
Poll workers were busy Monday making sure all the equipment was up and running. Elections officials say lines shouldn't be a problem and don't want voters to be deterred by memories of 2012. New machines should speed up voter check-in too.
"The new machine basically allows the voter if they have a picture id or photo id to be able to give it to one of the election personnel," said Roy Griffin, a poll worker. "We swipe it so we can verify the information and make the lines move a whole lot faster."
Voters must bring identification that contains a photo and their signature. Acceptable forms of ID can be found on the Elections Department website or by calling 3-1-1. If the voter does not have ID available, they will be asked to vote a provisional ballot. While the Voter Information Card is not required to vote, it can help expedite the check-in process, so bringing it is always encouraged.
Before you head out to the polls, elections officials suggest you look at a sample ballot.
Polls close at 7 p.m.
Click here for more information on Miami-Dade County elections.
Click here for more information on Broward County elections.
Click here for more information on Monroe County elections.
RELATED CONTENT:
