The following information is provided to educate Miami-Dade County residents about the voting process. For additional information, please call the Miami-Dade Elections Department at 305-499-VOTE.
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Questions for Before Election Day
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Questions for Election Day
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Questions About the Voting Equipment
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QUESTIONS FOR BEFORE ELECTION DAY
Why did I receive a new Voter Information Card?
If you completed a voter's registration application and updated any information, or checked the card replacement box, you will receive a new voter's information card. When there is a permanent precinct change, we also notify you by sending you an updated voter's information card. Cards are also sent periodically to all voters countywide. For more information, please visit our Voter Information Card page.
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How do I know if I am a registered voter?
You can check your registration status by visiting our Check Your Registration Status page.
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What do I do if I've moved?
If you have recently moved to Miami-Dade County from elsewhere, call Elections at 311 for information on registering to vote. If you have moved within Miami-Dade County and are already registered to vote, call Elections at 311. For more information, please visit our Registration Changes page. Please note you MUST register 29 days before an election in order to vote in that election.
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How do I change my party affiliation or name on my Voter Information Card?
For any political party or name change, State Law requires you to fill out a new Voter Registration Application Form with the new information including an original signature on the document. Political party or name changes made via fax or e-mail will not be accepted. For more information, please visit our Registration Changes page.
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How can I find out where my polling place is?
On Election Day, you must go to your assigned polling place. To find out where you can go to vote, call 311 or Find your Polling Place.
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What if I haven't gotten my Voter Information Card yet?
If you have registered to vote or made a change (such as address or party affiliation) to your registration, and have not received your new Voter Information Card, call 311.
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Can I vote using an absentee ballot?
Yes. If you are a registered voter, you can request an absentee ballot. Your request must be made in writing. For more information on requesting an absentee ballot, please call 311 or visit Absentee Voting.
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Can I vote before Election Day?
Yes. The State of Florida allows voters to vote early. For a list of early voting locations and more information on early voting, call 311 or visit Early Voting.
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How much postage should I use when returning my Absentee Ballot?
A first-class stamp is sufficient postage for an absentee ballot. The Elections Department has an agreement with the US Post Office so that all ballots will be delivered to us without delay.
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Is it true that Absentee Ballots are only counted when an election is close?
Absentee Ballots are counted and certified in the same manner as ballots cast on Election Day at a precinct regardless of voter turn out. Absentee Ballots are the first ballots that are tabulated for each election's results.
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Can I trust that my vote will be counted if I vote Absentee of Vote Early?
There are 20 Early Voting sites throughout Miami-Dade County that voters can cast their ballot at for two weeks prior to each election. A voter can choose a site that is close to their home or their job. Voters will receive ballots according to their voter registration information. Regardless of when the voter goes to an Early Voting site during the two week period, the results are counted on Election Day.
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How do I become a poll worker?
To become a poll worker, simply fill out and submit the Poll Worker Application. For more information, please visit our Poll Workers page.
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QUESTIONS FOR ELECTION DAY
Can I vote even if my Driver's License does not match the address on my Voter Information Card?
It is not required that the address on your license match the address on the Voter's Registration Card. The identification at the polls is used solely to confirm the voter's identity – not to verify the voter's ID number or address. The photo on the ID is compared to the person standing before the poll worker and the signature is matched against the signature that the voter puts on the precinct register when he or she signs in to vote. For more information, please visit our Toolkit Tip Sheet page.
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What if the poll worker says I can't vote but I think I can?
If the poll worker says you are not eligible to vote but you think you are, you can vote on a provisional ballot. Provisional Ballots are given to voter's whose eligibility cannot be determined at that time. A provisional ballot provides the same choices found on a regular ballot. For more information, please visit our Provisional Voting page. You will have 2 business days after the election to submit proof that you were eligible to vote. You can also check the status of your provisional ballot at Provisional Ballot Tracker.
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What if the poll worker gives me a provisional ballot?
Per Florida Statute, a voter claiming to be properly registered in the state and eligible to vote at the precinct in the election but whose eligibility cannot be determined, shall be entitled to vote a provisional ballot. For more information, please visit our Provisional Voting page. You will have 2 business days after the election to submit proof that you were eligible to vote. You can also check the status of your provisional ballot at Provisional Ballot Tracker.
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Should I use a provisional ballot when I just need to change my address?
No, the clerk will fill out an affirmation to record your change of address.
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What type of identification is required in order to vote?
In order to vote at any early voting site or precinct, you must produce a current and valid picture ID with signature. For more information, view the Toolkit Tip Sheet.
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What if I forgot my ID?
If you do not have acceptable identification at the polls you must be issued a Provisional Ballot. Per Florida Statute, a voter claiming to be properly registered in the state and eligible to vote at the precinct in the election but whose eligibility cannot be determined, shall be entitled to vote a provisional ballot. For more information, please visit our Provisional Voting page. You will have 2 business days after the election to submit proof that you were eligible to vote. You can also check the status of your provisional ballot at Provisional Ballot Tracker.
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What if I can't read the ballot or I have a disability that makes it hard to vote?
Each polling place and Early Voting site will have an ADA iVotronic that yields an audio ballot as well as an audio-assisted touch screen ballot. For voters wishing to vote via an optical scan ballot, they may do so using the ADA privacy voting booth. Moreover, if you need help to vote, you can bring someone you choose into the booth with you. Ask a poll worker first because you may need to complete a Declaration to Secure Assistance form and your assistant a Declaration to Provide Assistance form. You can also ask the poll workers for help. For more information, please visit our Voters with Special Needs page.
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What if a friend or family member asks for my help?
You can go into the voting booth with a friend or family member if they ask you to and they need help in voting because of a disability, because they cannot read, or because they need help with the language. The voter will need to complete a Declaration to Secure Assistance form and the assistant will have to complete a Declaration to Provide Assistance form. For more information, please visit our Voters with Special Needs page.
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What if I moved and didn't give the elections office my new address?
You must vote in your assigned precinct. If you have moved within Florida and you are a registered voter in another Florida County, you should go to the polling place for your NEW address in Miami-Dade County. To find out where you can go to vote, call 311 or Find your Polling Place. When you get there, let the precinct clerk know about your change of address and the clerk will complete an affirmation. Once the clerk has verified that you are registered, you can vote.
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What if I show up at the wrong polling place?
Poll workers will direct you to your correct polling place. You must vote in the precinct designated for your current address. If you vote in the wrong polling place, you may be asked to vote via a provisional ballot. For more information, please visit our Provisional Voting page. You will have 2 business days after the election to submit proof that you were eligible to vote. You can also check the status of your provisional ballot at Provisional Ballot Tracker.
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What if I'm in line when the polls close?
Polling places are open from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. However, voters who are in line to vote by 7:00 p.m. will be allowed to cast their vote.
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What if someone tries to intimidate me?
Tell a poll worker right away. If the poll worker is the problem, call the Supervisor of Elections at 305-499-VOTE, or tell a poll watcher. If you are intimidated inside of the polling room, tell a poll worker immediately. If you are intimidated outside of the polling building within the 100 ft. solicitation boundary, tell the poll deputy. If you are intimidated by a poll worker, call the Elections Department at 305-499-VOTE.
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Can I enter the polling place wearing campaign paraphernalia?
While state statute requires individuals who are campaigning for candidates or questions to remain 100 feet from polling place entrances, voters may enter the polling place, vote and then leave. Voters are asked to refrain from speaking about candidates or issues while inside the polling place.
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QUESTIONS ABOUT THE VOTING EQUIPMENT
Is there a new voting system?
The state has mandated that all counties using touchscreen (computer) voting equipment convert to an optical scan (paper ballot) system. On Election Day you will be given your corresponding paper ballot and escorted to a privacy booth to review and make your selection by bubbling in your vote on the ballot. After bubbling the circle next to your selection, insert the paper ballot into the DS200 optical scan unit, which scans the ballot to capture and tabulate your vote. The optical scan unit is user-friendly and will notify you in case of a blank ballot and/or over-voted contests giving you the opportunity to correct your ballot. For more information, please visit our Description page.
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What if I don't know how to use the voting equipment?
On Election Day you will be given your corresponding paper ballot and escorted to a privacy booth to review and make your selection by bubbling in your vote on the ballot. After bubbling the circle next to your selection, insert the paper ballot into the DS200 optical scan unit, which scans the ballot to capture and tabulate your vote. The optical scan unit is user-friendly and will notify you in case of a blank ballot and/or over-voted contests giving you the opportunity to correct your ballot. For more information, please visit our Description page. If this will be the first time you are voting on the new, paper-based voting system, please see our Video Demonstration page.
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What if I don't know who to vote for in a race or how to vote on a question?
You do not have to vote in every race or question. You can vote in all of them, some of them, or none of them—it's your choice.
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What if I make a mistake?
Review and check both sides of your ballot for accuracy. If you make a mistake, please return your ballot page(s) to the poll worker and request new ballot page(s)
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How do I finish voting?
After completing your ballot, proceed to the optical scan voting machine and insert your ballot. Check the screen to see whether there are any issues with the ballot, such as overvoting or blank ballots. Press RETURN to get the ballot back. Press ACCCEPT to submit ballot.
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