Miami-Dade, Broward elections departments ready for Election Day
MIAMI - The countdown clock to the 2024 election is winding down to its final hours.
Election supervisors in Miami-Dade and Broward said there's been a strong turnout in early in-person voting and mail-in ballots. In Miami-Dade, 57% of eligible voters have voted. In Broward, it's 59%.
Miami-Dade Supervisor of Elections Christina White has a message for voters.
"Tomorrow is Election Day, so if you have not already voted by mail or early voting, your options are now limited," she said.
White also had another tip, "Review your ballot beforehand. Here in Miami-Dade, there are 7 questions so you are not going to look at them for the very first time. In advance of voting pull out a sample ballot and look at it."
Unlike early in-person voting, those who cast ballots on Election Day must go to their assigned polling location.
In Miami-Dade, there are 523 voting locations. There are 358 precinct voting locations in Broward.
White says the county has a voter tool that allows registered voters to plug in their name and birth date to figure out where they will need to go.
"Also know that the hours of operation are from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Don't wait until the last minute. I understand it's going to be a rainy day tomorrow, so get it out of the way nice and early," said White.
Anyone who is in line at 7 p.m. will be able to vote.
Unlike early voting, on Monday and Tuesday, those voting with a Vote-by-Mail ballot can only drop them off at the elections department headquarters in Doral and one other location.
"Our branch office in downtown Miami. It might be easier at this point just to go to your precinct on Election Day," said White.
CBS News Miami also spoke with voters dropping off their mail-in ballots at Broward Elections headquarters.
Cecelia Whitehead of Fort Lauderdale said, "It's really important to me and my family to always vote. It is so important. I think all the time we vote and try to our best."
Janusz Lacki of Hollywood said, "To me it's important because first of all it is a duty that everyone has to perform and do. I believe the country is going to be better if people get out and makes their voices heard."
Broward Supervisor of Elections Joe Scott also stressed that it's important for voters to know in advance where they will be voting.
"On Election Day you must vote at your assigned polling place. Your assigned polling place is based on where you live today," he said.
Scott added there will be plenty of security.
He said, "We have a robust security plan in place and a lot of it might not be visible to the public. There will be a lot of people in unmarked vehicles and plain clothes police officers. I would expect long lines so I encourage people to come to the polling place as early as possible."
Scott stressed how important it was to vote.
"No matter which way you lean politically it is important to get participation from our community so that everyone feels like they have their say and a voice and their voices will be heard."
In Broward, registered voters can verify their polling location ahead of Election Day vote by visiting the county's election website and confirming their designated polling place for a smooth voting experience.
There are nine locations where Vote-by-Mail ballots can be dropped off on Monday and Tuesday.
About 8.2 million have voted in Florida at early sites or mail-in, according to the state.
