FORT LAUDERDALE, FLA. (WSVN) - Voter turnout in South Florida has already reached record numbers, but there are still people who will voice their choice on Election Day.
With a heavy influx of voters expected to head to the polls on Tuesday, election officials in Miami-Dade and Browatrd counties said they are prepared for the expected hundreds of thousands who will cast their ballots.
“We are ready,” said Miami-Dade Elections Supervisor Christina White. “Our poll workers have been trained, our equipment tested. We’re ready to open our doors tomorrow morning at 7 a.m.”
Both campaigns spent the weekend in South Florida as early voting wrapped up, and the turnout so far has been record-breaking.
“People have front-loaded the election,” said Broward County Supervisor of Elections Supervisor Peter Antonacci. “Almost 70% of our voters have already cast a ballot, and it’s not Election Day yet.”
As of Monday morning, Miami-Dade County reported a total of 1,002,901 early and mail-in ballots cast, while Broward County reported 821,118 total votes.
“We still have Election Day to go. In the last presidential, we had 998,000 people vote in total so we are certainly seeing the enthusiasm of our voters,” said White. “This election is certainly historic.”
“Somewhere between 100,000 and 125,000 voters, I think, will show up at the polls,” said Antonacci. “That would be more like a municipal election than it would be a presidential election.
With the candidates keeping up a breakneck pace and emotions running high, law enforcement officials said they are ready to ensure voters’ safety.
“We are prepared for Election Day. We have a lot of officers working,” said City of Miami Police Chief Jorge Colina.
“We will respond to any polling sites that have any issues. We’re here to protect their right to vote,” said Fort Lauderdale Police Chief Karen Dietrich.
White said voters should be mindful of a few guidelines.
“You have to go to your assigned precinct on Election Day, unlike early voting,” she said. “Look at your voter information card, go on their website, make sure that you know where to vote 7 a.m to 7 p.m. and make sure you bring a valid photo ID of you.”
White also said the polling locations are taking precautions for COVID-19, so voters may have to wait a short amount of time due to social distancing guidelines. They will also be required to wear a face covering.
“Be patient and trust the process. It’s important that every vote is counted, so, if it takes a little bit longer than we anticipate, that’s OK,” said Colina. “That shouldn’t cause anybody any fear or anxiety.”
Those who have a mail-in ballot who have not mailed it in are being asked to drop it off at an official ballot drop box located across the county.
To find an official mail-in ballot dropbox, click here.
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