Miami-Dade is gearing up for election day with its voting equipment tested and ready to go. The county's Elections Department has completed its final test, the Logic and Accuracy Test, to ensure that everything is up to snuff for the March 19th Presidential Preference Primary Election. Supervisor of Elections Christina White confirmed that all systems are operational, saying, "This comprehensive test has been completed and the results are as expected. Our equipment is functioning properly, and votes were tabulated accurately," as reported by Miami-Dade County.
Early Voting will kick off March 4 and voters can find their nearest polling station among the 23 locations across the county. These spots will be open daily for eight hours straight, allowing voters plenty of time to cast their ballots ahead of the primary. But Democrats and independents need not to bother showing up for the Presidential Preference Primary as the Florida Democratic Party has opted to run with a single nominee, meaning no primary was necessary. Republicans, however, will be selecting their contender for the upcoming presidential race.
Party lines are strict this time around in the Sunshine State. Florida's closed primary system means that only those registered with a party can vote in that party's primary. Since only the Republicans are holding a presidential primary, Democrats and unaffiliated voters are excluded from the process. That is, unless they live in South Miami or Surfside, where all registered voters can participate in voting on local municipal matters.
Political insiders are watching Florida closely, a state often seen as a litmus test for national sentiment. To give residents a heads up on what to expect, sample ballots and further details about the election can be found on the Miami-Dade County Elections website. As per the department, all registered voters can ensure they're ready to cast their ballot by reviewing the materials and getting familiar with their party's stance and the candidates on offer.
