Original reporting: Bryan Mathias
Early voting begins on Oct. 19 here in Tampa. The Hillsborough County Supervisor of Elections office has been working this week to set up early voting locations.
Early voting in Hillsborough County runs from Oct. 19 to Nov. 1. Voters can cast their ballots at any of the 27 early voting locations.
These locations include one at the Bloomingdale Regional Public Library.
From setting up voting sites to training more than 2500 poll workers, the Supervisor of Elections office has been busy.
The office works to ensure everyone can vote and election officials properly count and verify every vote.
Supervisor of Elections Craig Latimer said Hillsborough County is hard at work to ensure every vote counts.
“As you know, we start this process with our public logic and accuracy test, where we invite the press,” Latimer said. “We invite the public to come and watch as we put ballots through a randomly selected number of tabulators, all overseen by the canvassing units.”
Voters still have until Oct. 22 to request a mail-in ballot. To count, voters must return the ballot to the Hillsborough County Supervisor of Elections office by 7 p.m. on Nov. 3.
“To ensure that the machines are counting correctly. And then we put those machines out into the community, just like we’re doing now after this election.” Latimer said
Latimer also said that sample ballots offer voters the chance to prepare ahead of time.
“Sample ballots went to anyone who didn’t request a mail-in ballot. So basically, we’re sending you an invitation to the party.” Latimer said, “And now it’s your time to show up. It takes some voter responsibility, too.”
The 27 early voting locations are open for 14 straight days, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
At 7 p.m., when the polls close, election officials can begin tabulating the results.
Officials will first process mail-in ballots and early voting ballots. After that, the votes cast on election day at the various precincts will be processed.
Registered voters should bring an accepted form of ID to the polling location: a driver’s license, passport, student ID or even a debit/credit card.
In Florida, 60 to 70 percent of voters will vote early.
If choosing not to vote early, voters must vote at their assigned precinct on election day.
Voters can find their assigned election day precinct by entering their house number and selecting their street name from the options on the Hillsborough County Supervisor of Elections website.