Want to vote on whether Trump stays? First come the primaries. Here’s what to know
Are you registered to vote? Do you want to switch parties? Who has your vote?
If all those questions just gave you a migraine, you’re probably still trying to figure out if you’ll be voting in the 2020 presidential election. While the general election is nine months away, the presidential preference primaries are on March 17, and deadlines are coming up fast.
Tuesday is the last day you can register to vote or change your political party affiliation if you’re planning to participate in Florida’s closed preference primary. Florida’s closed primaries are only open to voters registered as Democrats and Republicans. Independents are not allowed to participate. If you miss the deadline, you can still register to vote for the other upcoming elections.
Florida City will also be hosting a city commissioner runoff election Tuesday, Feb. 18. Unlike the closed presidential primaries, anyone who is registered to vote and lives in the city will be able to cast a ballot in this election.
We know all of this can be overwhelming, especially if you’re a first-time voter in South Florida and haven’t registered yet. Here’s your guide to everything you need to know and do before you can cast your vote:
Who will be on the closed presidential preference primary ballot?
During this closed primary, voters will cast a ballot for the political candidate they want to be the presidential nominee for their respective party — and President Donald Trump won’t be the only name Republicans will find on their ballot.
Miami-Dade’s sample ballot lists four Republican candidates though only two were still running, as of Friday afternoon. Trump will be facing William Weld, a former governor of Massachusetts who previously ran for vice president on the Libertarian party ticket in 2016.
Democrats voting will find 16 names listed on the ballot though only eight are still running for president, as of Friday afternoon:
Former Vice President Joe Biden; former mayor of New York City Michael Bloomberg; former mayor of South Bend, Indiana, Pete Buttigieg; Hawaii Rep. Tulsi Gabbard; Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar; Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders; Tom Steyer, a hedge fund manager; and Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren.
Following the primary, designated political party delegates from Florida will then nominate the preferred presidential candidate at the party’s national convention. During Florida’s general election in November, all voters will receive the same ballot and will be able to vote for any candidate, regardless of party.
This is when voters will decide if they want to keep Trump, who will most likely be the Republican presidential nominee, or oust him from the White House.
What are the election 2020 deadlines in Miami-Dade, Broward and Monroe counties?
▪ Feb. 18: Last day to register to vote or change political party affiliation for the presidential preference primaries
▪ Feb. 18: Florida City runoff election. To see a sample of the ballot or polling locations visit www.miamidade.gov/global/news-item.page?Mduid_news=news1547756720256301
▪ March 7: Last day to request a vote-by-mail ballot for the presidential primaries
▪ Early voting for the presidential primaries:
— Miami-Dade: March 2-15; To see a list of polling locations and times visit www.miamidade.gov/elections/library/2020-presidential-preference-primary-early-voting-schedule.pdf
— Broward: March 7-15; To see a list of polling locations and times visit www.browardsoe.org/Voting-Methods/Early-Voting-Dates-Hours-and-Sites
— Monroe County: March 2-15; To see a list of polling locations and times visit www.keys-elections.org/m/Voter-Information/Early-Voting
▪ March 17: Presidential primaries. There are also municipal elections in Surfside in Miami-Dade County, and in Lauderdale-by-the-Sea, Lighthouse Point, Pembroke Pines and Pompano Beach in Broward County.
▪ July 20: Last day to register to vote or change political party affiliation for the general election primary on Aug. 18
▪ Aug. 8-15: Early voting for the general election primary. Each county supervisor of elections is allowed to offer more days of early voting before and after the mandatory days.
▪ Aug. 18: General election primary. This ballot will include local races along with state House and Senate primaries.
▪ Oct. 5: Last day to register to vote or change political party affiliation for the general election.
▪ Oct. 24-31: Early voting for the general election. Each county supervisor of elections is allowed to offer more days of early voting before and after the mandatory days.
▪ Nov. 3: Election Day 2020. Includes presidential, congressional and state legislative elections, state constitutional amendments and local races.
▪ Nov. 5: City of Marathon election
Who is and is not allowed to vote in Florida?
.JPG "IMG_MidtermElection_lede_6_1_0TFIC12S_L459907175 (1).JPG")
Anyone who is a U.S. citizen, a legal resident of Florida and at least 18 years old can register to vote.
Those who are not a U.S. citizen, are less than 18 years old or are not a legal Florida resident cannot vote. Anyone who was adjudicated as “mentally incapacitated” and has not had their right to vote restored or has been convicted of a felony and has not had their civil rights restored also cannot vote.
How do I register to vote, switch parties or update my voter registration card?
▪ Registering to vote
You need to register to vote in the county you live in at least 29 days before the election you wish to vote in. Florida does allow voters to pre-register at 16 years old.
If you want to vote in the upcoming presidential primaries, you have until Tuesday, Feb. 18, to register if you haven’t already.
Those who are interested and eligible to vote can register online at the county Supervisor of Elections website or submit a voter registration application by mail. You will need your Florida driver license or Florida identification card along with the last four digits of your Social Security number to fill out the application.
You can also register in person if you are a Miami-Dade resident at the Department of Motor Vehicles driver’s license offices, Miami-Dade County public libraries, most city, town and village halls, U.S. Armed Forces recruiting offices, any state public assistance agency or any agency that provides assistance to the disabled.
▪ Switching party affiliation
Registered voters can switch their political party affiliation online at their county Supervisor of Elections website or by submitting a signed written notice that contains their date of birth by email, fax or mail. Changes must be made at least 29 days before a primary election.
▪ Updating address
Registered voters can update their address online, by email, telephone, fax, mail or by visiting the Election Department. You will need to provide your full name, the new address and your date of birth.
▪ Changing your name
If you need to request a name change, you must submit a signed written notice that contains your date of birth or voter registration number by email, fax or mail.
To register to vote, check your precinct information or update your voter registration card, visit registertovoteflorida.gov/home
How do I request and keep track of my vote-by-mail ballot?
You can request a vote-by-mail ballot in person by email, fax, phone, mail or online at your county Supervisor of Elections website.
Miami-Dade County — www.miamidade.gov/global/service.page?Mduid_service=ser1512065909614490
Broward County — www.browardsoe.org/Voting-Methods/Vote-By-Mail-Voting/Absentee-Ballot-Request-Form
Monroe County — www.keys-elections.org/Voters/Vote-by-Mail-Request
The deadline to request that a vote-by-mail ballot be mailed to a current U.S. address must be no later than 5 p.m. on the 10th day before the election. An immediate family member or legal guardian can request the vote-by-mail ballot for you if they follow the instructions on the county Supervisor of Elections website.
The vote-by-mail ballot must be returned and received by the Supervisor of Elections in your county no later than 7 p.m. on Election Day for it to count.
There are special requirements and much earlier deadlines for voters who are outside the U.S., including members of the military and their families. To learn more about the requirements, visit dos.myflorida.com/elections.
To keep track of your vote-by-mail ballot:
Miami-Dade County — www.miamidade.gov/global/service.page?Mduid_service=ser151187731708822
Broward County — www.browardsoe.org/Voter-Information/Voter-Lookup-Free-Access-System
Monroe County — www.keys-elections.org/Voters/My-Vote-by-Mail-Status
What do I bring if I’m voting at the polls?
When you go to vote, whether at an early voting site or on Election Day, you must have a current and valid ID that has your name, photo and signature.
These include your Florida driver’s license, a Florida ID card issued by the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, a U.S. passport or a government-issued employee ID.
While it’s not required, officials recommend you bring your voter information card with you to speed up the process.
To see a full list of ID’s that are accepted, visit dos.myflorida.com/elections/contacts/frequently-asked-questions/faq-voting/
I lost my voter registration card. How can I request another one, check if I’m still registered and see where my polling place is?
How can I check if I’m still registered to vote and see where my polling place is?
To check your precinct, you can refer to your voter registration card. You can also check your precinct and see what your voting status is, along with other election-related information, at your county Supervisor of Elections website:
Miami-Dade County — miamidade.gov/elections and click on Voter Information.
Broward County — www.browardsoe.org/Voter-Information/Voter-Lookup-Free-Access-System
Monroe County — www.keys-elections.org/Voters/My-Registration-Status
Miami Herald staff writer Samantha Gross contributed to this report.
This story was originally published February 15, 2020 at 6:15 AM with the headline "Want to vote on whether Trump stays? First come the primaries. Here’s what to know."
