Look in your mailbox. If you’re one of the people who get absentee or vote-by-mail ballots from the Miami-Dade Elections Department, you could be getting one this week. At least 260,000 went out Monday.
That’s less than half of the 530,000 ballots mailed out for the 2020 general in just the first mailing, according to figures provided by the department’s deputy director, Roberto Rodriguez, who said another 20K to 30K will be sent next. Even the August 2020 primary had more ABs sent to voters, with 332,000 going out in the first batch.
This is a direct result of a bill passed by the Republican-led legislature to purge all absentee ballot lists after every election cycle, disenfranchising many voters — a lot of whom are elderly and cannot easily renew online. It’s a voter suppression tactic. And it’s working. In Miami-Dade, even though more people voted by mail than in early voting or on Aug. 20, less than 20% of the voters turned out for the primary.
Rodriguez told Political Cortadito that officials expect at least a 75% turnout in the Nov. 5 election. Much of that is due, no doubt, to the presidential race at the top of the ticket. “More people are expected during early voting,” he also said.
That wasn’t the case in August, however.
Read related: Fewer absentee or mail-in ballots go out in Miami-Dade for August ’24 primary
The department has also continued to do community outreach to educate voters on the new law and get them to request their absentee or mail-in ballots, just as they did before the Aug. 20 election. “We haven’t stopped,” Rodriguez said. “We recently reached out to people who had a request in 2020 but not in 2022 just to remind them”
Voters can request absentee or mail-in ballots up to 5 p.m. Oct. 24. This Monday, however, is the deadline to register to vote in the Nov. 5 election.
On Wednesday also, the Miami-Dade Democratic Executive Committee announced the launch of a mobilization “get-out-the-vote” effort with 15 field staffers dedicated to increasing AB requests and chasing outstanding Democratic ballots in battleground zones throughout the county.
“Our priority is ensuring our candidates can reach every voter they need to win and deliver the turnout needed to win critical races,” Senator Shevrin Jones, chair of the Miami-Dade DEC, said in a statement. “This wouldn’t be possible without the incredible community support and enthusiasm we’ve seen at recent events such as the Blue Gala and canvasses.
“Our newly deployed field officers will be on the frontlines, mobilizing voters in every corner of the county to support Democratic campaigns and make a real difference,” Jones said.
Read related: Voter turnout for Miami-Dade August 20 primary ballot is expected to be low
Elections officials are also trying to encourage voters to review their customized sample ballot before heading to the polls for early voting, which begins in a couple of weeks. Everyone has a minimum of seven questions on the ballot. In some cities, there are more. Most Miami-Dade County voters can expect a two-page ballot. Voters who live in Doral and Miami Beach will have a three-page ballot.
“Voters who receive a mail ballot will be able to review their ballot at home. Voters who plan to vote early or at their precinct on Election Day should review their sample ballot ahead of time, research candidates and questions in advance and be properly informed when casting their ballot,” said Supervisor of Elections Christina White. “Additionally, with a historic number of voters anticipated to vote in person, being prepared in advance will help expedite the voting process.”
Registered voters can easily access their customized sample ballot online by entering: first name, last name and date of birth. We encourage voters to screenshot or print their sample ballot, make their selections and bring it with them. Voters who would like to receive their customized sample ballot via email prior to each election can sign up by calling 305-499-VOTE (8683).
For more information, please visit www.miamidade.gov/elections or call 311.
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