Visit Your Local PBS Station PBS Home PBS Home Programs A-Z TV Schedules Watch Video Support PBS Shop PBS Search PBS

Washington Week
Around the TableTranscriptsVideoContact us
Washington Week HomeStudent Voices
This Week
About the Show
About Gwen
Where to Watch
Webcast Extra
Reporter's Notebook
Special Coverage
Discussion Forum
For Educators
Student Voices
Contact Us

U. Florida students get guide to early primary voting
By Drew Harwell
Independent Florida Alligator (U. Florida)
08/23/2006

(U-WIRE) GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Students registered to vote in Alachua (Fla.) County can cast their ballots early for the Sept. 5 primary elections.

Early voting began Monday, and 179 people showed up at the polls. It will continue through Sept. 3.

Early voting locations include the Supervisor of Elections Office, the Millhopper Branch Library and the Tower Road Branch Library.

Voters can come in between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. on Mondays through Fridays to take part in the election. There are limited hours for Saturday and Sunday voting.

Pam Carpenter, the Alachua County supervisor of elections, said the first day of the early voting went well and urged everyone to vote.

"Every voice is important," Carpenter said. "Have a voice in how your government is run and how your future is created."

Registered voters in this election will choose a candidate from their political party to continue on to the general election. Republicans can vote for a U.S. senator and chief financial officer, and Democrats can vote on attorney general, sheriff and county commissioner positions.

Both parties will vote for governor and lieutenant governor, state senator and state representative.

Nonpartisan candidates, including school board and Judicial Circuit Court, will also be elected.

Students who are registered to vote outside of Alachua County can request absentee ballots for their district by phone, mail or at the Supervisor of Elections office.

Since the busy Labor Day weekend is right before the primary election, Carpenter encouraged people to vote early.

She also said students could make voting a pregame activity before the first UF football game on Sept. 2.

Although people who register to vote in Alachua County after Aug. 7 cannot vote in the primaries, they can vote in the general election on Nov. 7. New registered voters must have their information submitted before Oct. 10 to be eligible.

Voter registration forms are available at the Supervisor of Elections office, and some Publix and Alachua County library locations.

Visit www.elections.alachua.fl.us for more information.

Copyright ©2006 Independent Florida Alligator via UWire



[ Back to Student Voices ]