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RESOLUTION URGING THE FLORIDA LEGISLATURE TO PROVIDE COUNTIES ADDITIONAL FLEXIBILITY RELATED TO EARLY VOTING AND COUNTY ELECTIONS THAT DO NOT INVOLVE STATE OR FEDERAL OFFICES OR ISSUES

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WHEREAS, early voting has become a popular way for citizens to exercise their right to vote; and
WHEREAS, early voting is extensively regulated by state statute that limits the timeframe and hours when and sites where early voting can occur; and
WHEREAS, for most elections, state statute requires two weeks of early voting, beginning on the 15th day before an election and ending on the second day before an election; and
WHEREAS, the only exceptions to the requirement that there be two weeks of early voting is municipal elections not held in conjunction with state or county elections where municipalities may opt out, and
WHEREAS, unlike with municipal elections, state statute does not provide an exception for county elections that are not held in conjunction with state or federal elections; and
WHEREAS, this is an issue that only a few counties in the State of Florida must contend with as a result of not benefiting from a consolidated elections calendar; and
WHEREAS , every county election that is not held in conjunction with a state or federal election must include two full weeks of early voting at significant cost to the taxpayers; and
WHEREAS, for certain county elections, two full weeks of early voting is not needed; and
WHEREAS, the Legislature should provide counties similar flexibility to cities related to early voting for county elections not held in conjunction with state or federal elections,
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, FLORIDA, that this Board:
Section 1. Urges the Florida Legislature to provide more flexibility related to early voting and countywide elections that do involve state or federal offices or issues.
Section 2. Directs the Clerk of the Board to transmit a certified copy of this resolution to the Governor, Senate President, House Speaker and the Chair and Members of the Miami-Dade County State Legislative Delegation.
Section 3. Directs the County�s state lobbyists to advocate for the issue identified in Section 1 above, and directs the Office of Intergovernmental Affairs to include this item in the 2010 State Legislative Package.