Ready, set, vote: Here’s what you need to know for 2016 election
You’ve tuned in to the debates, been bombarded by campaign news and suffered through the robo calls. Election 2016 is finally here, and we’ve provided answers to a list of frequently asked questions about casting your ballot.
The presidential race tops the ballot, but depending on where you live, the Nov. 8 general election also includes Senate and U.S. House seats, state legislative seats, judges, school boards, sheriffs, county commissioners and municipal elections, state constitutional amendments and local referendums. Find out more in the Miami Herald’s voter’s guide, which will be updated regularly through Election Day.
GENERAL QUESTIONS
What kind of voter turnout is expected this year?
Miami-Dade County Supervisor of Elections Christina White said presidential election turnout has typically been 67 to 72 percent, but elections supervisors across the state are bracing for higher turnouts this year, possibly close to 80 percent. In Miami-Dade, about half of all voters typically vote early or by absentee ballot, White said.
When can I vote?
Election Day is Nov. 8, but voters can vote early from Oct. 24 through Nov. 6 in Miami-Dade and Broward counties, or by mail. On Election Day, ballots must be cast in voters’ assigned polling places. Voters waiting in line by the time polls close at 7 p.m. will be allowed to vote.
Didn’t the district maps change?
Yes. After years of legal wrangling, there are new boundaries for federal and state legislative districts across the state. View the new U.S. Congress maps here, for Florida Senate maps here, and for Florida House here.
Where can I find the Miami Herald recommendations?
They have been running in the newspaper and online over the past couple of weeks. You can find them online in our voter’s guide: www.miamiherald.com/voters-guide.
What will my ballot look like?
For most voters, the ballot is significantly shorter this year than in the 2012 presidential election, about two pages front and back.
In Miami-Dade, registered voters can access customized sample ballots at http://www.miamidade.gov/elections/voter-information.asp by entering some basic information. In Broward, enter your information at http://www.browardsoe.org/Voter-Information/Sample-Ballot.
Any other advice?
Sure. Download a sample ballot, do your research and fill it out before going to the polls. That will shorten wait times for everyone.
Can I still register to vote?
No. Registration closed Oct. 18.
What are the election supervisors’ websites?
Miami-Dade: www.miamidade.gov/elections; Broward: www.browardsoe.org; Monroe: www.keys-elections.org.
READ MORE: A Voters Guide and campaign news
READ MORE: Miami Herald Editorial Board recommendations
EARLY VOTING: OCT. 24-NOV. 6
Where can I vote?
Early voting sites are open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday, Oct. 24, through Sunday, Nov. 6, in Miami-Dade and Broward, and 8:30 to 5 p.m. Monday through Nov. 5 in the Florida Keys. Voters can cast their ballots at any of the open sites in the county where they are registered; there are 30 sites in Miami-Dade County and 21 in Broward (up from 20 and 17 respectively in 2012), and five in the Keys. Find the early-voting sites here: www.miamidade.gov/elections, www.Broward.electionsfl.org and www.keys-elections.org. If you are in line at 7 p.m. (or 5 p.m. in the Keys), you will get to vote. In Miami-Dade, locate the three closest early voting locations by your ZIP Code here.
When are the best times to vote to avoid long waits?
For those who remember the arduous early voting lines during the 2012 presidential election, here’s one comforting fact: South Floridians will have the longest window to vote allowed by the state. This year, in-person early voting has been expanded — there are more polling sites and the number of days and hours have lengthened to 196 hours over 14 days, the maximum allowed by the state — to better accommodate the crowds that presidential contenders Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton could lure to the polls. Miami-Dade County in particular has also made a host of other changes, including purchasing more and better elections equipment, and redrawing precincts, to avoid lines.
Still, don’t wait until the last early voting weekend, Nov. 5-6. Miami-Dade County Supervisor of Elections Christina White said www.miamidade.gov/elections will post estimated wait times for each station throughout the early-voting period and on Election Day, so voters will know what to expect. “As each day passes, more people vote early and the second week will be busier,” she said. “Don’t wait.”
What do I need to bring with me to vote?
You must show a photo and signature identification. Acceptable forms of ID include: Florida driver license; Florida identification card issued by the Department of Highway, Safety and Motor Vehicles; U.S. passport; debit or credit card; military identification; student identification; retirement center identification; neighborhood association identification, or public assistance identification. Identification must be current and valid. You do not need to bring your voter ID card, and even if you do, a photo ID will be necessary.
What if I forget my valid photo ID?
Voters who do not provide acceptable identification at their precincts may cast a provisional ballot. It will count if the signature on the ballot envelope matches the signature on the voter’s registration application.
What if my name isn’t on the voting rolls?
If you recently registered to vote and find that your name is not in the registration book, do not leave. Ask the election workers to call the county elections office and issue you a provisional ballot.
VOTING BY MAIL
I don’t want to go to the polls at all. How can I vote by mail?
Voters have until Nov. 2 to request mail ballots, and ballots must be received by 7 p.m. Election Day, Nov. 8, in order to count.
However, if you’ve requested and received a mail ballot and you later decide to vote at the polls, you must bring your mail ballot with you so that it can be canceled before you vote in person at the polls.
In Miami-Dade, any registered voter eligible to vote may request a vote by mail ballot online. A vote by mail ballot can also be requested by emailing votebymail@miamidade.gov or calling 305-499-8444. Note: Vote by mail ballots mailed to an address other than the one on file in the Florida Voter Registration System require a written request signed by the voter. Additionally, you may present in person at the Elections Department a picture identification with a signature, or authorize a designee to pick up the ballot on the day prior to Election Day.
In Broward, you can find out more and request your ballot online at www.browardsoe.org (click on Vote By Mail).
Florida has generally stopped referring to mail ballots as “absentee.”
ELECTION DAY NOV. 8
How do I find my polling place?
Polling places are listed on voter information cards issued upon registration. Voters can also check online for Miami-Dade and Broward polling places. On Election Day, you must vote at your assigned precinct.
What do I need to bring with me to vote?
Valid photo identification, such as a Florida driver’s license, a state identification card, a U.S. passport, a debit or credit card, military identification, a concealed-weapon license, a Veteran Health ID card, student identification, retirement-center identification, neighborhood-association identification or public-assistance identification. Voters who provide identification without a signature will be asked to provide a second identification that does contain a signature.
What if I forget my valid photo ID?
Voters who do not provide acceptable identification at their precincts may cast a provisional ballot. It will count if the signature on the ballot envelope matches the signature on the voter’s registration application.
What if my name isn’t on the voting rolls?
If you recently registered to vote and find that your name is not in the registration book, do not leave. Ask the election workers to call the county elections office and issue you a provisional ballot.
Can I request a mail ballot in person on Election Day?
No. Florida law prohibits elections departments from issuing mail ballots at their headquarters on Election Day. The only exception is for voters who fill out affidavits affirming an emergency prevents them from going to their assigned polling place.
I already received a mail ballot. Can I still turn it in?
Yes. Completed mail ballots must be received by elections supervisors in voters’ county of residence by 7 p.m. on Election Day, Nov. 8. Voters can’t drop off mail ballots at their designated polling place. They must drop off the ballots in person at one of the following locations.
In Miami-Dade:
▪ Elections department headquarters, 2700 NW 87th Ave., Doral
▪ Elections department satellite office at County Hall (first floor), 111 NW First St., Miami
In Broward:
▪ Elections department headquarters, 115 S. Andrews Ave., Room 102, Fort Lauderdale
▪ Elections office behind Lauderhill Mall, 1501 NW 40th Ave.
This story was originally published October 21, 2016 at 7:15 PM with the headline "Ready, set, vote: Here’s what you need to know for 2016 election."