Voting early: What should I expect?

October 28, 9:23 PMCoral Gables Community ExaminerLynn Stock

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Voting Early: A Primer 

The lines to vote early at the Coral Gables Library, above, have been consistently long since early voting started on Oct. 20. Perhaps they will be a bit shorter now that Gov. Charlie Crist has signed an order to extend voting hours through Friday, Oct. 31. Polling places will now be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. through Oct. 31.

Here’s what to expect: First, check the Internet to see about how long that wait time will be. Check out the Miami-Dade Elections Department’s Web site for estimated wait times at area polling places: www.miamidade.gov/elections/wait-times.asp

Once you’re headed to the library, don’t think the line you see outside is all the line there is. Upon entering the cool, dark lobby of the library, they’ve pulled a Disney World move on us: the line snakes back and forth before you get to the room where they check your ID and print out your ballot.

That’s part of the reason for the long wait: unlike on Election Day, voters from different precincts converge on one location to vote. That means that each voter’s ballot has to be printed individually, because different precincts represent different candidates. And printing one ballot can take 20 to 30 seconds.

If you’re wondering why county election offices don’t simply lengthen the hours at polling places, they can’t — a state law mandated in 2005 that they can only be open eight hours a day during early voting.

During the first two days of early voting in Miami-Dade, more than 40,000 people cast ballots. The voting rolls swelled to 1,242,500 this year, adding 158,780 registered voters since the beginning of the year.

In 2004, 36 percent of the votes cast in Florida were done early.

Voters may also vote from home using an absentee ballot. But hurry, the deadline is 5 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 29, to request — in writing — an absentee ballot. See www.miamidade.gov/elections/vote_absentee.asp for details.

For questions on voting, call 311 in Miami-Dade.

Whether you vote early or brave the lines on Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 4, here’s what you need to bring:

• State of Florida driver's license

• ID Card issued by the State of Florida

• U. S. Passport

• Debit/credit cards

• Military ID

• Student ID

• Retirement center ID

• Public assistance ID

• Neighborhood association ID

Through Friday, Oct. 31: 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Saturday, Nov. 1: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Sunday, Nov. 2: 1 to 5 p.m.

www.miamidade.gov/elections/vote_early.asp

Locations

Coral Gables Library

3443 Segovia St.

North Dade Regional Library

2455 N.W. 183rd St.

Model City Library (at the Caleb Center)

2211 N.W. 54th St.

Miami Lakes Public Library

6699 Windmill Gate Road

John F. Kennedy Library

190 W. 49th St.

Elections Department (SOE Main Office)

2700 N.W. 87th Avenue

W. Miami - City Hall (Second Floor Commission Chambers) 

901 S.W. 62nd Avenue

W. Kendall Regional Library

10201 Hammocks Blvd.

Kendall Branch Library

9101 S.W. 97th Avenue

W. Dade Regional Library

9445 S.W. 24th St.

Florida City - City Hall (Commission Chambers)

404 W. Palm Drive

Aventura Government Center (2nd Floor Commission Area)

 19200 W. Country Club Drive

North Miami Public Library

835 N.E. 132nd St.

Lemon City Library (Reading Room)

430 N.E. 61st St.

North Shore Branch Library (Program Room)

7501 Collins Avenue

Coral Reef Library

9211 S.W. 152nd St.

Elections Department (Stephen P. Clark Center - Lobby)

111 N.W. 1st St.

City of Miami - City Hall

3500 Pan American Drive

(Entrance is located at the northeast side of the building, ADA entrance is through the front door of City Hall)

Miami Beach City Hall (3rd Floor)

1700 Convention Center Drive

South Dade Regional Library

10750 S.W. 211th St.