NORTH MIAMI, FLA. (WSVN) - The winners of the political race will finally be determined in several key races across South Florida.
Tuesday marks the final day for registered voters to cast their ballots.
The Supervisor of Elections said about 40 to 50 percent of registered voters have already cast their ballots.
Officials are only expecting a mere 10 to 20 percent of voters to appear at polling locations on Election Day.
Voters and campaign volunteers alike gathered outside of a polling location in North Miami to voice their choice at 7 a.m., Tuesday.
“The more citizens that engage their civic duty, the better representation we have on people’s opinions, what they value and if we don’t other people get to make choices for us,” said one voter.
Many people recognize Election Day as a privilege.
Another voter said, “Instead of criticizing about what’s going on, stand up and make a change and vote for the right person to make the change for you. Knowing that people of color died for me to stand right now to vote so I wanna make them proud.”
While Republicans are leading in the polls, Democrats hoped to appeal to last-minute and independent voters.
One day before the Midterm elections, democratic candidates are crisscrossing South Florida vying for votes.
Lt. Governor candidate Carla Hernandez wrapped up an event in Miami on Northwest 17th Avenue, Monday morning.
“What we want everyone to know is that the women’s voice is necessary, and we need everyone to come out to your precincts and that ballot box tomorrow,” Hernandez said. “The stakes are high. We know that. Obviously, women’s rights are on the ballot, and you know, women feel that it will never be OK for a woman to be treated as a second-class citizen.”
Democratic candidate for governor Charlie Crist and Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Val Demings also made South Florida stops over the weekend.
“I have sense enough to come and ask you for your vote,” Demings said.
“There’s a lot of enthusiasm, a lot of energy,” Crist said. “Everybody needs to get out and vote. It’s so critically important.”
As the clock winds down to Tuesday, Democrats are fighting for Floridians’ votes.
“You must get out, you vote,” Hernandez said. “Talk to your daughters, talk to you neighbors, talk to your mothers and your abuelitas. We need everyone to be out and voting.”
Crist and Demings made a stop at an event in Wilton Manors Monday evening.
Crist hit the familiar anti-DeSantis themes he’s emphasized during the campaign.
“Taking away a woman’s right to choose, making it harder for people of color to vote, making it harder for teachers to teach,” said Crist.
He also pushed those already in the Crist camp to make sure to cast their ballot.
“You never stop, you never give up, you keep making the calls, you knock on the doors. We gotta run through the finish line,” said Crist.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis also made a South Florida stop where he made his own push for votes.
DeSantis was in Palm Beach County, Monday, asking Floridians to reject his opponent, Crist.
“Do you mind helping me sending a tired, worn out donkey out to pasture once and for all?” DeSantis said.
The governor made his case as to why he should be re-elected by touting his response to COVID-19 and his political wins during his time in office.
“We were attacked, we were maligned and they threw whatever arrows they could at me, but we stood strong for the cause of freedom in the state of Florida,” he said.
With most polls showing Crist trailing DeSantis by double digits and Val Demings behind incumbent Sen. Marco Rubio by about six to eight points, keeping up the energy will be crucial.
“On this Election Day eve, women’s rights, they are on the ballot,” said Demings. “We are not running for the privileged few. We are all Floridians.”
At 7 p.m., a conservative event took place in Hialeah Park where DeSantis was a guest speaker.
This was the last chance for Republicans to plea to voters, only hours before Election Day.
“These elections are important. Your governor, who your governor has been has been more important to the success to your daily lives than any other elected official,” said DeSantis. “If you look at what we have been able to do for Florida, we’ve led the way in this country on so many different issues.”
DeSantis, who has been leading in the polls, pointed out to his record and wins during the last few years.
He was not the only Republican with hopes of becoming reelected, as Rubio made a surprise guest appearance.
“Are you guys ready to win tomorrow?” said Rubio. “That we are not going to let anyone destroy our state, and we’re not going to let anyone destroy our country.”
Rubio wanted to make known the differences between the two main political parties running against each other.
“We don’t want Marxists in our government. We don’t want leftists in government. We don’t want socialists in government. We don’t want the ideas that have destroyed other countries in our government,” he said.
Supporters of the governor 7News spoke to in the crowd said voting in this midterm election is crucial.
“Everybody has a voice, it’s our biggest right. We gotta use that,” said Christina Gonzalez, a DeSantis supporter. “Everybody needs to show up tomorrow and vote.”
On Sunday, former president Donald Trump was also in South Florida with a push to vote red by endorsing his once political rival, Sen. Marco Rubio.
”You have the chance to reelect an incredible champion of Florida workers and families, he really is. I got to know Marco so well, and we did, we admit it, we had a rough campaign together,” Trump said. “He was tough, smart.”
Rubio, who has been a U.S. senator representing Florida since 2011 and made a run for president in 2016, is campaigning to keep his seat.
“If these people stay in power, they will destroy the greatest country in the history of the world, and we will not allow it,” Rubio said.
Republicans are currently outpacing Democrats not only in registration in Florida but also in turnouts, so far.
Democrats said it is crucial to not only get their side to get out and vote but also try to appeal to independents.
The polls on Election Day are open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
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