This Tuesday will be the primary elections in Florida, which will hold their own significance beyond being a precursor to the general elections in November.
Apart from federal and state charges, everyday citizens are affected by the decisions made by school boards, county commissions, and municipal governments on vital issues such as education, transportation, taxes, housing, and services, among others.
In Miami-Dade, where most of the Cuban-American community resides, voters will have a ballot that varies depending on their address and political affiliation.
According to an electoral guide from Telemundo 51, one of the institutions with the greatest impact on the lives of the population is the County Commission, whose members take action in vital areas such as public transportation, budget, urban development, housing, infrastructure, and regional services.
Three districts of the County Commission are being contested:
- District 2 (north and center): Marleine Bastien, Ernst Jean Louis, and Miguel "Skip" Quintero are competing.
- District 5 (Downtown Miami, Brickell, Miami Beach, and Little Havana): Vicki L. Lopez, Rob Piper, and Joe Sanchez are competing.
- District 8 (areas in the south and southwest, including Kendall and Palmetto Bay): Danielle Cohen Higgins, John Edward DuBois, and Martha "Vega" Hero are competing.
Districts 1 and 8 of the School Board are also at stake, which oversees the fourth largest school district in the country, with an impact on public schools, school safety, student transportation, educational programs, and the administration of the school system.
The residents of the city of Miami will also need to decide on two other local issues: one regarding moving municipal elections to even years starting in 2034, and another about a 40-year management agreement for the Miami Marine Stadium.
What you need to know before voting
Florida operates with closed primaries: Republicans vote in the Republican primary, Democrats in the Democratic primary, and independents only participate in nonpartisan contests and local referendums.
The ballot varies by city, district, and registered party, so reviewing the personalized ballot before voting is essential.
To enter the polling center, valid identification with a photograph and signature is required. This can include a Florida driver's license, a U.S. passport, military identification, student ID, public employee ID, or a Florida concealed carry permit.
On Sunday, Marco Rubio and his wife Jeanette voted early at the Miami-Dade Elections Supervisor's office, on the last available day before Tuesday.
The low early turnout in Miami-Dade -only 7% of the 1.6 million registered voters had cast their ballots by August 9, according to Supervisor Alina García- makes this Tuesday's election critical for determining overall attendance and the results of the most contested races.
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