Exercise your right

By Matthew Shanbom, Editor-in-Chief

The general election is coming up on Nov. 3 and it is important to ensure you are registered to vote. In order to register you must be 16 and a US Citizen but to vote you need to be 18.

1. Check your registration status
   1. Go to https://registration.elections.myflorida.com/CheckVoterStatus to check your status.
2. Register to vote
   1. Go to https://registertovoteflorida.gov . You will need a valid Florida drivers license and the last 4 digits of your SSN. You must be 16 to pre register and 18 to register. 
3. Declare a party
   1. While not required, Florida is a closed primary state meaning you must be affiliated with a political party to vote in primary elections. While this does not apply to every race in the primaries, it applies to most. You may only vote for candidates of your declared party during a primary.
4. Choose a method of voting
   1. You can either vote in-person at your precinct or request a vote by mail ballot at https://www.browardsoe.org/Voting-Methods/Vote-By-Mail-Voting/Absentee-Ballot-Request-Form in Broward County. Additionally early voting is available at select precincts.
5. Vote
   1. While registering to vote is nice, actually voting is the most important part. Early voting is open Oct. 19 – Nov. 1 at these sites. Mail in ballots can be mailed or brought to any early voting location for collection. The general election is Nov. 3.

Even if you are not old enough to register, pre register if you are able. Exercise your civic right and stay informed about important races. The deadline to register is Oct. 5. Don’t forget to vote.