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Florida Elections Offices Prep For The Primary

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MIAMI (CBSMiami) -- South Florida election offices are busy getting ready for the upcoming Presidential Preference Primary election on March 15th.

Workers have to make sure all the machines are working properly and the ballots are ready.

In Miami-Dade County, machines are checked three times for things like paper, battery power, and destination, according to incoming elections supervisor Christina White.

The biggest challenge according to Broward Elections Supervisor Dr. Brenda Snipes is making sure voters know who is eligible to vote.

This is a closed primary and that means unless you are a registered Democrat or Republican, you can't vote in this Primary. However, you have until February 16th to change party affiliation and register to vote. In other words, if you are a registered independent you have time to change your affiliation to Democrat or Republican to vote in this primary.

In Miami-Dade County, they have bought new Identification scanners to supplement the paper rolls. That means you will be able to swipe your driver's license. Broward has a similar system.

Remember, the long lines in 2012 for absentee ballot drop-offs and early voting? Well, Miami-Dade County is extending early voting from February 29th to March 13th.

"For this upcoming election we have 20 sites and it will increase another ten by Election Day," said White.

Broward voters won't have as long a period for early voting. It will go from March 5th through March 13th.

On the upside, if you are sending in an absentee ballot, you don't need a stamp in Broward. Their postage is already paid.

For more info on the Presidential Primary in Florida, click here for a breakdown from absentee ballots to Election Day. Also stay up to date with the latest election news on our Campaign 2016 section.

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