NORTHWEST MIAMI-DADE, FLA. (WSVN) - Tuesday is Election Day, and many Floridians have already voiced their choice in the Primary Election.

Those who did not vote by mail or participate in early voting are heading to the polls.

“The workers were all nice and seemed to be wearing gloves and masks, so it seemed pretty safe,” voter Dan Humphrey said. “It was definitely slower than previous elections that I’ve voted in.”

Polling locations are open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Voters in Miami-Dade reported that they were able to go in and out of polling stations easily and that all proper precautions were taken to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.

“Normally, the line would be wrapped around,” said voter Elaine Lindo. “Thank you to all the early voters who came out and voted, ’cause it made it easier for people like me to be able to just get in and get out.”

Voters in Broward shared similar reports.

“Walked right in, voted and walked right out,” said one voter.

One of the only lines seen on Tuesday was at Miami-Dade Election headquarters in Doral. Cars could be seen lined up in the facility’s parking lot as voters dropped off their ballots.

Another long line could be seen at a Plantation polling location, where voters exited the facility holding a pen that read, “I voted” instead of the usual sticker due to COVID-19 precautions.

According to the Associated Press, as of Monday, over 2.1 million Floridians had cast mail-in ballots with more still coming in. That number compares to fewer than 1.3 million in the 2016 primary.

Monday’s data showed, in Broward County, over 198,000 people voted by mail and over 40,000 voted early.

In Miami-Dade County, more than 246,000 voted by mail and over 68,000 voters headed to the polls early. More than 555,000 voters have voted early in the state.

The increase of voters using a mail-in ballot could be due to the coronavirus pandemic.

All polling locations across South Florida are taking necessary precautions to ensure a safe voting experience.

“All the poll workers for in-person voting, just like at early voting, wear masks and gloves,” said Broward Elections Supervisor Peter Antonacci. “No one is required to touch anything other than a pen that was given to them in a plastic sleeve. Pen says, ‘I Voted’ on it. It’s the equivalent of a ‘I Voted’ sticker. Then you go to a privacy booth that has been wiped down. We have a janitor at each site, and the janitor is keeping the privacy booths sanitary and clean.”

“We are following all of the CDC and Department of Health guidelines,” said Miami-Dade Elections Supervisor Christina White. “That means that our poll workers have been provided with face masks, face shields [and] gloves. They’re going to be wiping down all of the common touch points throughout the day. It’s also very important our voters know that a mask is required to enter the polling location and that we are going to be asking you to sanitize your hands to protect everybody’s health.”

There are some highly contested races taking place this election, like the Broward Sheriff race and the race for Miami-Dade County Mayor.

“Voting is a privilege, and it’s very important,” said Lindo. “A lot of people fought for us to have this right, so I don’t care if it’s a pandemic, I don’t care if it’s a storm, you get out and you vote.”

Voters must go to their assigned voting location on Election Day.

Those who do not know their assigned voting location can find the information on their voter information card by going to the Elections Department website or by calling 311.

Voters must bring with them a valid and current ID that contains a photo and their signature. Those heading to the polls are asked to bring their voter information card with them. It is not required but can help expedite the check-in process.

Acceptable forms of ID include:

  • Florida Driver License
  • Florida Identification Card issued by the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles
  • United States Passport
  • Debit or Credit Card
  • Military Identification
  • Student Identification
  • Retirement Center Identification
  • Public Assistance Identification
  • Neighborhood Association Identification
  • Florida Concealed-Weapon License
  • Veteran Health Identification Card issued by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
  • Government Issued Employee Identification

Voters who do not have an ID available will be asked to vote with a provisional ballot.

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