Your Vote, Your Voice: Make Sure You’re Registered

By: Sharon Aron Baron

On Election Day, every vote matters.  Voting is not only a right, it’s a privilege. Your vote is your voice, and as an American citizen it’s your opportunity to be heard, to hold elected officials accountable, and to have a say in important issues that affect your community.

To make sure your voice is heard in the two upcoming elections, then make sure you are registered to vote.  It’s easy to do and you can do it today.

If you have moved from out of state or from another county, your voter’s registration must be updated at least 29 days in order to vote in the following two elections: the August 30, 2016 Primaries and the November 8, 2016 General and Municipal Elections.

During the Primaries, you will have an opportunity to vote for nonpartisan candidates like judicial and school board. If you are registered for a specific party, you can vote in races that have contested seats like sheriff and county commission. In the General Elections, you can vote for either party in the Presidential race along with all other city, county and state elections.

If you are already registered to vote in Broward County, fill out the back portion of your voter information card or complete a Florida Voter Registration Application Form. You can also send a request in writing that includes your signature. If you are moving from another state or county (other than Broward), you must complete a Florida Voter Registration Application Form and mail it to the Supervisor of Elections office.

If you do not choose a party affiliation section of the application by leaving that section blank, you will be registered without party affiliation. The Supervisor will notify you by mail that you have been registered without party affiliation with instructions on how to designate a party affiliation if desired. Florida is a “closed primary state.” If you wish to be eligible to vote in either the Democratic or Republican primary elections in Florida, you must be registered with that political party at least 29 days in advance of the election.

If you have a change in your name or your party affiliation, you still must complete a Florida Voter Registration Application Form and mail it to the Supervisor of Elections office.

Normally, you will receive your card within three weeks after the application is received by the Supervisor of Elections office.

If  you are already registered to vote, but aren’t sure where you need to go to vote on August 30, check now to find your precinct here:  Precinct Finder.