Florida’s General Election is November 3.  Unlike the Primary we had in August, this time you can cross party lines on the ballot, and vote for a Democrat, Republican, or Independent as you like.

But you must be registered.  The books close on October 5.  If you need to register, update your information (name, address, signature) or change your party affiliation, you must do it before October 5.

You can check your voter’s status by going to votehighlands.gov.  There you can find out your status, get early voting information, vote by mail information, and there will be a sample ballot displayed once it’s finalized.

Here’s what you need to know to get a mail-in ballot.  If you voted by mail in August you will get a ballot for November.  If you didn’t, you must request one by October 22. They expect to mail them out in early October. When you get it, fill it out immediately and mail it in.  Or take it to the Elections Office on Commerce Street downtown.  Or take it to one of the early voting sites.  Your ballot must in the Elections Office by 7:00 PM on Election Day, November 3.

If you receive a mail-in ballot and decide NOT to put it in the mail, because it’s gotten too late or you just forgot or you changed your mind about who you want to vote for, bring it to one of the Early Voting Sites, or wait until November 3 and bring it to our precinct, which is on Sebring Parkway in the Church of Christ.  Give it to the Poll Workers who will destroy it and give you another ballot that you will fill out right there.  You don’t have to bring it along, but it does save time.

Early Voting starts on October 22 and continues every day until October 31.  You can go to any one of the three sites,  The Penny Ogg Center on Kenilworth,  the City Hall in Avon Park, or the Government Center in Lake Placid.

On Election Day itself though, you must vote at our Precinct 25, the Church of Christ.  Hours are 7 AM – 7 PM.  Remember to bring your ID, we need both a picture and a signature ID.  Drivers’ licenses or State IDs work just fine.

Highlands County Voting is secure.  We’re betting our future on it.