Politics
South Florida expands early-voting sites as Miami-Dade expects strong turnout
Miami-Dade and Broward have added early-voting locations compared with the primary, while Monroe County sites are open daily through Oct. 31. Miami-Dade’s elections supervisor says she expects turnout of at least 60%.
South Florida voters used the first weekend of early voting to cast ballots ahead of Election Day, with election officials offering more polling locations than during the primary and anticipating stronger participation in the general election.
Miami-Dade County has 28 early-voting sites, five more than for the primary. Broward County has 30, an increase of nine. In Monroe County, five sites are open daily from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. through Oct. 31.
At a Miami-Dade elections headquarters on Saturday, voter Jorge Jaen said he chose to vote there while he was nearby, even though he had a closer polling place in Kendall. He said the lack of a line made it a convenient stop during his weekend errands.
Early voters can use any site in the county where they are registered. On Election Day, voters must go to their assigned precinct, said Miami-Dade Supervisor of Elections Alina Garcia.
Garcia said general elections typically draw more voters than primaries, and the county has expanded early-voting access in response. With the governor’s race on the ballot, she said she expects turnout of at least 60%.
In Miramar, Humberto Rubio said he voted early because he would be out of town on Election Day. He wanted to make sure his vote was counted.
Voters who have a mail-in ballot can return it at an early-voting site. Garcia recommends mailing ballots at least five days before Election Day; election officials must receive them by 7 p.m. on Election Day for them to count.