Did you know?
In Florida, early voting could begin up to fourteen days prior to an election, but the Legislature passed a change for this year: Early Voting cannot now begin more than eight days before an election. For Hillsborough, Hardy, Hendry, Monroe, and Collier counties, however, it begins five days earlier.
These five counties must be treated differently because of the Voting Rights Act of 1965. The federal government has to sign off on voting changes that affect jurisdictions where less than 50% of voting-age citizens are registered to vote or voted in the presidential election, that have a non-English-speaking population of more than five percent, and that provide voting materials only in English.
The primary election is August 14th. If you live in Hillsborough, Hardy, Hendry, Monroe, or Collier County, you can choose to vote early beginning July 30th. Other counties’ Early Voting begins August 4th.
To learn more, contact your local Supervisor of Elections.
Florida Family Policy Council plans to release 2012 Primary Voter Guides during the week before most counties begin early voting on Saturday, August 4th. We’ll let you know when they’re available!