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Monday, Oct. 4, is the deadline to register to vote in the special congressional primary that will determine the next South Florida member of Congress.
The key contest is the 11-candidate Democratic primary. The Broward-Palm Beach County 20th Congressional District is so overwhelmingly Democratic that the winner of the contest is next-to-guaranteed to win the Jan. 11 special general election.
Florida is a closed primary state, which means a voter must be registered in a party to participate in its primary.
There’s also a two-candidate Republican primary. Both primaries are Nov. 2.
The election is taking place to fill the vacancy created by the April 6 death of the late Congressman Alcee Hastings.
Information on registering to vote, mail ballots and whether requests for mail ballots are still good or expired is available online and by phone.
Broward County: www.browardvotes.gov, 954-357-8683. To find out if your mail ballot request is active and if you live in the 20th District, click on the “My Voter Status” button on the website.
Palm Beach County: www.votepalmbeach.gov, 561-656-6200. To find out if your mail ballot request is active and if you live in the 20th Congressional District, click on the “My Status” button on the website.
Vote by mail ballots: Ballot requests made so far have been mailed by elections offices.
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Voter registration deadline: Oct. 4.
Deadline to request mail ballot: Oct. 23.
Early voting: Oct. 23 to 31, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. at six locations in Broward and five in Palm Beach County.
Primary Election: Nov. 3. Polls are open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
General Election: Jan. 11.
