Happy Memorial Day. Now Go Vote!
One of the easiest ways to honor those who have given their lives in defense of our freedom is to exercise our basic right to vote.
It is only fitting that this year, Memorial Day happens to come between two very important elections. If you missed out on your first chance to honor the troops, don't stress. You still have time to make it up in a big way.
On Tuesday, June 28, 2011 (mark your calendars), Miami-Dade County will be holding a Special Run-off Election that will decide who the next mayor of Miami-Dade County will be. Now, I know how disappointed you are that Uncle Luke didn't make the cut and that Brother Marquis and Fresh Kid Ice will not be serving as Vice Mayor and Chief of Staff respectively. However, the upcoming election is a most important one for this county whose unemployment rate hovers at the 13% mark. It is important that you become familiar with the candidates and decide:
Which candidate best represents my interests and those of my community?
...but I'm Not Registered to Vote
Not registered to vote and don't know how to register? Don't panic, but do get moving. Voter registration closes 29 days prior to an upcoming election, which means that voter registration for the upcoming Special Run-off Election on June 28, 2011 closes tomorrow (Tuesday, May 31, 2011). Simply take 10 minutes to print, fill out the form below (follow directions please) and proceed with one of the following:
- mail your form (and have your envelope postmarked) by May 31, 2011 to:
Supervisor of Elections
PO BOX 521550
Miami, FL 33152
- personally drop your form off at the Elections Department at:
Miami-Dade Elections
2700 NW 87 AVE
Doral, FL 33172
You can check your registration status here once you've mailed or personally delivered your form.
...but I Can't Vote on June 28, 2011
Can't vote on election day? No problem. Vote early (and often...juuuuuust kidding). Early voting will be open from June 18 - June 25. Voters can cast their vote at any one of the 20 Early Voting locations listed at the bottom of this sample ballot.
Absentee ballots are not available to dead voters only. They are also available to those who are living and breathing, but find it difficult to physically make it out to one of the Early Voting locations. You can request an absentee ballot online here, request it by telephone at 305-499-8444 or simply fill out the form below and mail it to
Attn: Absentee Ballot Section
P.O. Box 521250
Miami, Florida 33152
I'd Like to Vote on Election Day, But Don't Know Where to Go Cast My Vote
So you're old school like me, would like to vote on Election Day, but don't know where to go cast your vote? I got you covered. Go here, simply type in the information requested and voila!...you know where to go now.
Thanks, But I Don't Know Who to Vote For
Now, that's where I draw the line. I would never tell you who to vote for. I think it's important that you become familiar with the candidates, research their history of public service for their respective communities (google is a good start) and decide which one best respresents your interests and those of your community.
If you're still not sure who to vote for, just, whatever you do, do not vote for this guy.
Hey, I never said I wouldn't tell you who not to vote for.
For more information on the upcoming election and other elections information, visit the homepage for the Miami-Dade County Elections Department at http://www.miamidade.gov/elections/.
Now high-five a soldier and tell him or her that you're voting in the upcoming election. It'll make you feel very American on this Memorial Day and show that soldier just how much you appreciate what he or she is doing for our beautiful country.
