Miami Lakers have many candidates and ballot questions to vote for in the Aug. 20 Primary Election.
It is a closed primary, meaning only voters registered Republican, Democrat or Non-Partisan may choose from among their party’s candidates.
According to a sample ballot, in federal races Republicans can vote for one of three candidates including incumbent Rick Scott for the U.S. Senate, and for one of the three contenders for U.S. Congress District 26, including incumbent Mario Diaz-Balart.
In county races, there are 11 candidates for Miami-Dade County Sheriff on the GOP ballot; two choices for tax collector and four candidates for Republican County Executive Committee, District 4.
Registered Democrats may choose from four candidates for U.S. Senate, four candidates for county sheriff and three candidates for supervisor of elections.
Voters who are registered Non-Partisan may select from among seven candidates for county mayor, including incumbent Daniella Levine Cava and a local challenger, Miami Lakes Mayor Manny Cid.
There are also two judge seats open in the 11th Judicial Circuit and two county judgeships to fill.
Voters have two questions: a straw ballot on whether the county should expand the existing rapid mass transit (rail) system, and a referendum on whether a fire station should be built in Flamingo Park on Miami Beach.
Miami Lakers will be able to return to the polls on Election Day, Nov. 5.
In addition to national and state races, that’s when the town mayoral contests and some council seats may be decided.
Early Primary Election voting begins Aug. 5 and ends Aug. 18. Hours at the Mary Collins Community Center, at 15151 NW 82nd Ave. in Miami Lakes, are:
Aug. 5 – Aug. 9: 7 a.m. – 3 p.m.;
Aug. 10 – Aug. 11 and Aug. 17 – Aug. 18: 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.;
Aug. 12 – Aug. 16, 11 a.m. – 7 p.m.
A secure drop box will be available to accept ballots.
For more early Primary Election voting locations go to miamidade.gov/elections.
If all of this seems overwhelming, the Town of Miami Lakes and its Elderly Affairs Committee are presenting an information session about voting.
On Aug. 8 at 11 a.m., staff from the Miami-Dade County Elections Department will be at Town Hall to discuss deadlines to register to vote, how to update a signature on a vote-by-mail ballot and how to correctly fill one out and then submit it.
The county elections team will also take questions from the audience.
“We are especially committed to supporting our senior population,” the town said on its website.
Information at the session will be offered in English, Spanish and Creole.
For questions contact Town Clerk Gina M. Inguanzo at inguanzog@miamilakes-fl.gov.
Inguanzo is also Miami Lakes’ supervisor of elections.