Are you ready to vote?
Florida election officials urging residents to check status
Are you ready to vote?
Florida election officials urging residents to check status
State and local officials all across North Florida are preparing for the upcoming general election in November. They are expecting record turnout as citizens cast their ballot in the history making presidential election. Whether you are a Democrat or Republican, officials want to make sure that every voter is able to participate.
Changes in state laws and recent court decisions may have affected your status as an eligible voter. In order in insure a trouble free voting process, all voters are being urged to check their status with their local supervisor of elections. Various causes may have affected your voting status including a change in address, or inactivity.
In addition to the push to verify eligibility, the deadline to register or renew your registration if you have been an inactive voter is fast approaching.
Because of the heightened interest in the presidential election and predictions of record turnout, state officials are also strongly encouraging Florida voters to avoid the long lines at polling precincts by casting their ballot through the early voting or absentee voting process.
The following is a breakdown of information to assist North Florida News Daily readers who are planning on voting in November.
Who Can Register to Vote
In order to register to vote in Florida, you must:
- Be a citizen of the United States of America;
- Be a Florida resident;
- Be 18 years old (you may pre-register to vote if you are 17 years old or have received a valid Florida driver’s license, whichever occurs earlier);
- Not now be adjudicated mentally incapacitated with respect to voting in Florida or any other state;
- Not have been convicted of a felony without your civil rights having been restored.
- Provide your current and valid Florida driver’s license number or Florida identification card number. You must provide the last four digits of your Social Security Number if you do not have a Florida driver’s license number or a Florida identification card number.
If you do not have any of these items, you must mark the box indicated on the Voter Registration Application as "NONE."
Photo ID required
Florida voters must present valid photo identification to precinct workers in order to vote.
Precinct workers will use the ID to verify correct address and signature of the potential voter.
2008 Voter Registration Book Closing Dates
You can apply to register to vote at any time. However, to vote in an election, you must be registered in the state by the book closing date. You must be registered for at least 29 days before you can vote in an election. The book closing date for the upcoming general election in November 2008 election is: October 6, 2008.
Absentee Voting
Florida law allows all qualified voters to request an absentee ballot from the Supervisor of Elections. A member of the voter’s immediate family or legal guardian may also request an absentee ballot for a voter, if directly instructed to do so by the voter. A request for an absentee ballot to be mailed must be made no later than 5 p.m. on the 6th day before an election. Contact your Supervisor of Elections to request an absentee ballot.
Early Voting starts October 20
Voters may vote in person by casting a ballot prior to Election Day. The voter will use the same type of voting equipment that is used at the polls on Election Day. Early voting begins 15 days before an election and ends on the 2nd day before an election. During this period, early voting is conducted 8 hours per day on each weekday and for 8 hours in each weekend. Check the dates and times for your county through the local supervisor of elections office.
Baker County Supervisor of Elections
Nita Crawford, Supervisor
32 North 5th Street, Suite A
Macclenny, FL 32063
Phone: 904-259-6339
Union County Supervisor of Elections
Deborah K. Osborne, Supervisor
55 West Main Street
Lake Butler, FL 32054
Phone: 386-496-2236
Bradford County Supervisor of Elections
Terry L. Vaughan, Supervisor
945 N Temple Ave. Suite C
Starke, FL 32091
Phone: 904-966-6266
Columbia County Supervisor of Elections
Elizabeth P. Horne, Supervisor
971 W. Duval Street, Suite 102
Lake City, FL 32055
Phone: 386-758-1026
Nassau County Supervisor of Elections
Vicki P. Cannon, Supervisor
96135 Nassau Place, Suite 3
Yulee, FL 32097
Phone: 904-491-7500
