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Early Voters In Miami-Dade Camp Overnight To Be First In Line

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MIAMI (CBSMiami) – Voting in the Nov. 6 General Election has already reached nearly one million by people who have voted by mail. But today is the first day of in-person early voting and some South Florida voters camped out overnight to be the first in line to cast their ballots.

About a dozen people slept in tents outside of the Shenandoah Library to cast their ballot as soon as the doors opened. Several more early risers showed up to join them. The voters, donning blue "Gillum" T-shirts wanted to see, what they call, the "blue wave" at the polls.

Musicians entertained the morning crew, while others brought pastries and coffee.

When asked why they were voting Democrat, many people echoed similar values that were their top priorities, including the environment, healthcare, and immigration.

The turnout excited some voters in Coral Gables.

"I have never seen a line for midterm elections before and it is a thrill," Ellen Kanner said.

For the first time ever, as here at miami dade college north and at fiu, polling places were located on university campuses.

For the first time ever, polling place have been opened on university campuses; they're at Miami-Dade College North and Florida International University.

"It's very important," said student voter Angelica Beltran. "It's my first time voting, so I can actually make a difference. I can actually have my voice now."

Even as they voted, some students were calling all voters.

"Just get out and vote," said student voter Terrence Johnson. "Try and get out and vote because, without us, there won't be change without us."

The president of Miami-Dade College was pleased.

"We need to make sure that young people participate in the political process from early on, so we can have a better country," said MDC president Eduardo Padron.

Voters apparently heeded the warning to do their homework with ballots that stretch four or more pages, front and back.

"Ten to fifteen minutes to fill it out and preparation was about an hour and a half," Tim Crowther said.

Some saw voting as a sacred, mandatory duty.

"I go into the voting booth and I always get a tear in my eye, because I think of all the people before me who worked so hard to get the vote," Connie Crowther said.

Early voting is now underway in Miami-Dade and Broward Counties for 14 consecutive days from 7am – 7pm and 13 days in Monroe County.

Early voting is perfect for people who can't or don't want to go to the polls on Election Day.

There are 28 early voting locations in Miami-Dade, 22 in Broward, and 5 in Monroe.

Click here for a full list of early voting sites in all three counties.

Where to vote early?

It doesn't matter which location you go to as long as it's in your county. 

What do I bring?

Picture ID with signature

Sample ballot to speed up the voting process. There are a lot of candidates and a lot of questions, which means a long ballot. Start preparing now.

Wait times will posted on the Supervisor of Election websites.

Early voting ends in Miami-Dade and Broward on Sunday, November 4 and in Monroe County on Saturday, November 3.

If you don't vote early, you can request vote-by-mail ballots up until 5 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 31 and your filled-in ballot must be delivered no later than 7pm Nov. 6.

You can also vote in person on Election Day, November 6, at your assigned precinct from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

CLICK HERE FOR THE CBS MIAMI ELECTION GUIDE

 

 

 

 

 

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