By Commissioner Sue Gunzburger
Broward County Commission, District 6

This year's Primary Election on August 26 and General Election on November 4 will determine our future. I urge you to exercise your right to vote. We know from experience that even a few votes can change the outcome of an election.

In both elections we will be voting on the new DS 200 optical scan voting machines. With the new system of voting, voters will be asked to present a picture identification card (with signature) when preparing to vote (Florida driver's license, Florida ID card, U.S. passport or debit/credit card, etc.). The voter will then be given a paper ballot and a pen provided at the polling location. To vote for a candidate or issue, the voter will fill in ovals (you cannot mark an “X” or “ ” in the oval or circle your choice). The voter-marked paper ballots ensure that election totals can be verified on paper, which is particularly important in a close election.

Polling locations will be open on August 26 and November 4 from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Your polling location is indicated on your voter's registration card. If you have a question about your voting location, visit the Supervisor of Election's website, www.browardsoe.org or call 954-357-7050 or 954-357-VOTE (8683).

Early voting locations will open on August 11 and close on August 24 for the Primary Election. For the General Election, the early voting locations will open on October 20 and close on November 2. The hours of operation are Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; on Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.; and, on Sundays, 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. The early voting locations in our area include:

• Hallandale Beach City Hall , 400 South Federal Hwy. , Hallandale Beach
• Hollywood Branch Library, 2600 Hollywood Blvd. , Hollywood
• Southwest Regional Library, 16835 Sheridan St. , Pembroke Pines

If you would prefer to vote by absentee ballot, only one request is needed to vote in both elections. You can request an absentee ballot online at www.browardsoe.org or call the Absentee Ballot Request Line at 954-357-7055. Only the voter or a designated member of his or her immediate family can request an absentee ballot.

Absentee ballots are mailed approximately 2-3 weeks prior to each election. You must affix the correct postage when returning your absentee ballot. The Supervisor of Elections office estimates that Primary Election ballots will require approximately $1 in U.S. postage. No estimates are now available for required postage on Presidential Election ballots. Because completed ballots vary in size from area to area, the amount of postage required for returning ballots also varies. To ensure you ballot is counted, make sure you include the proper postage.

Absentee ballots can be dropped off at the Broward County Governmental Center , 115 S. Andrews Ave. , Fort Lauderdale ; the Hollywood Satellite Courthouse, 3350 Hollywood Blvd. , Room 180; and, the West Regional Courthouse, 100 N. Pine Island Rd. , Room 130, Plantation . Absentee ballots can not be dropped off on polling locations on Election Day.

If you are not registered to vote, keep in mind that you can register at any branch of the Broward County Library. You must be registered 29 days before an election in order to vote.

As always, fee free to contact me or share your concerns and priorities – you can email me or, if you wish, call me at 954-357-7006.