From the primary election in August to the general election in November, residents will have the opportunity to weigh in on a variety of key issues and elect their representatives.
Primaries in August
The primary voting on August 20 will be, precisely, the first opportunity for voters to make their voices heard. Key races include Florida’s senatorial primary and District 27 national representative.
As for Miami-Dade, voters will choose among candidates vying for important offices, such as mayor, sheriff, county commissioners, School Board members, clerk of court and comptroller, property appraiser and tax collector. Representatives will also be chosen for community councils.
One of the electoral days that draws the most attention of voters is the one that will allow them to elect who will be in charge of the administration of the County, that is, the mayor, for the next four years. So far, seven candidates are competing for the position. Meanwhile, for the position of sheriff or sheriff There are 17 postulates.
Several municipalities, including Coral Gables, Key Biscayne, Medley and Miami Gardens, will also hold elections in August.
The registration deadline to vote or change your party affiliation (Republican, Democrat or Independent) will be Monday, July 22. The Miami-Dade Elections Department will begin mailing ballots for those who choose to vote from home on July 11 through July 18.
Meanwhile, the deadline to request a mail-in ballot will be Thursday, August 8. The early voting day will take place between August 10 and August 17
General elections
The Nov. 5 general election will see a full slate of national, state and local races, including the hotly contested presidential race and Florida senatorial races, representatives for districts 25, 26, 27 and 28, along with the final elections for various positions at the County level.
This year’s ballot features three crucial Florida amendments:
- Amendment 1: Whether school board elections should be partisan.
- Amendment 3: Legalization of recreational marijuana.
- Amendment 4: Protection of women’s right to choose about abortion.
Beyond the county level, several municipalities will also hold elections, with second rounds scheduled for November and, in other cases, December.
These choices are targeted at Adventure, Bal Harbour, Biscayne Park, Cutler Bay, Doral, El Portal, Key Biscayne, Medley, Miami Beach, Miami Gardens, Miami Lakes, North Bay Village, North Miami, North Miami Beach, Opa -locka, Palmetto Bay, Pinecrest, South Miami, Sunny Isles Beach and Virginia Gardens.
The deadline to register to vote will be Monday, October 7. It is announced that the county Elections Department will send ballots by mail in the period between September 26 and October 3.
Likewise, the deadline to request a ballot by mail will be Thursday, October 24, while early voting can be done between October 26 and November 2.
Preparations
With the August primary and November general elections quickly approaching, the Miami-Dade Elections Department is in full gear to ensure a smooth and transparent election process.
Roberto Rodríguez, spokesperson for this county agency, spoke with DIARIO LAS AMÉRICAS about the preparations and advice so that voters can fulfill their ‘appointment with democracy’ without setbacks.
The spokesperson explained that planning for the elections began a year ago, involving a series of tests and maintenance of the voting machines, as well as coordination with the municipalities for the inclusion of their elections on the ballots.
“We are almost in the final stretch for the August elections,” said Rodríguez. “The most important thing now for voters is to make sure they are registered to vote. If they have moved or changed their information, it is essential to update their information. And if they want to vote by mail, they must request their ballot on time, since the law requires renewing the application every two years.”
To facilitate the process, Rodríguez recommended voters register online or call 305-499-VOTE (8683) to make the necessary arrangements.
Regarding the candidate qualification process, Rodríguez reported that the period for judges has already ended, but registration is still open for candidates for commissioners, mayor and other County positions. The deadline for the latter expires on June 14.
“There is still time to register. Therefore, it is still premature to talk about definitive lists of candidates until the campaigns are qualified,” he stated.
Likewise, he mentioned that some municipalities have local elections in August, and the deadlines for qualifying candidates may vary. “It is important to check the Department of Elections website for information specific to each municipality,” she said.
Rodríguez emphasized the importance of planning early voting to avoid “possible problems” on Election Day.
“It is advisable to vote early, either by mail or in person, to avoid any inconvenience on Election Day,” he said. “Do not wait until the last day because if something happens to you, you will not be able to exercise your right to vote.”
The spokesperson for the electoral entity also referred to the three amendments that will be on the November ballot, which will address issues of great interest to the community.
“These amendments represent the opportunity for the citizens of Miami-Dade to express their will on crucial issues that affect their daily lives,” said Rodríguez. “It is important that voters inform themselves about the proposals and the consequences of each one, so that they can make a conscious and responsible decision.”
Voters can find detailed information about the election, including registration deadlines, requesting mail-in ballots, early voting dates and voting center locations, on the Miami-Dade Elections Department website.
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@danielcastrope
