By: Sharon Aron Baron
Absentee ballots were mailed out this week to Tamarac residents and the rest of Broward County. They are such a convenience, especially for this election where there are 12 Constitutional Amendments to peruse. This way you aren’t holding people up in line trying to read through all of them.
A couple of things to remember about your absentee ballot: First, don’t forget to sign it. Second, you must put $1.50 in postage on it. Also, “Voted” absentee ballots must be received by the Supervisor of Election’s office in Lauderhill no later than 7p.m. on Election Day. A voted ballot cannot be accepted at the polls.
If you requested an absentee ballot and later decide to vote at the poll, take your absentee ballot with you to be cancelled at your polling place.
There are many candidates on the ballot in November. For many years, Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D)has been my Representative in Congress, and I believed she would be on the ballot. Imagine my surprise when I attended an event of hers and found out that since the Congressional Districts changed, she will no longer represent my part of Tamarac – or any area above I-595 after this election.
I called my token good Republican friends, Bob and Karen Wood and told them the bad news. They would not get a chance to vote for Wasserman Schultz’ rival, Karen Harrington (R), who they have supported since she ran in 2010. They were surprised at the change as well.
I thought that maybe Congressman Ted Deutch was now going to be our Congressperson if elected since he represents the western part of Tamarac, but actually I am now in the new Congressional District 20 where we can vote for either Alcee Hastings (D) or Randall Terry (R).
In the eastern part of Tamarac, our State Senator will change as well. Jeremy Ring (D) was our State Senator before they changed things around. Now we will be voting for either Christopher “Chris” Smithmyer (R) or Christopher “Chris” Smith (D). Now how confusing are those two names?
When voting, don’t forget to look at the back of your ballot. There are other candidates as well as those Constitutional Amendments.
GENERAL AND MUNICIPAL ELECTION: November 6, 2012
Look on your registration card to see where you vote. Don’t know? Then go here: Precinct FinderEarly Voting Dates for General and Municipal Election: October 27– November 3, 2012 (7:00 am – 7:00 pm)
Tamarac Branch Library 8701 West Commercial Blvd Tamarac FL 33321ACCEPTABLE FORMS OF VOTER ID:
If you want my opinion on who I support, then feel free and contact me at Tamarac Talk. I will say this: Vote NO on all Constitutional Amendments. The League of Women’s Voters recommends this as well.
See you at the polls.