Deadline to Register to Vote – Tuesday, October 9 Click here for information on registering in Hillsborough County. If you are not sure of your registration status or live in a county other than Hillsborough, go to the Florida Division of Elections web page.You will need to input your name and date of birth. When you see your voter status, you will also see links to your county’s Supervisor of Elections office for your voting precinct and absentee ballot status.
Three Ways to Vote
Election Day – Vote in person at your assigned precinct. Photo and signature ID are required.
Vote By Mail (also known as Absentee Ballot voting) – Request a mail ballot from your county Supervisor of Elections. The ballot will be mailed to you. Ballots must be returned to the Supervisor of Elections, either by mail or in person, by the end of voting on November 6.
Early Voting – Vote in person at designated early voting locations in your county beginning on Saturday, October 27, until Saturday, November 3. Check with your county Supervisor of Elections for locations to vote early.
The Ballot
In addition to the presidential, federal, state, and local races on the November ballot, there are 11 state constitutional amendments to be decided. The ballot language for these questions is lengthy, so it is important to familiarize yourself with the issues prior to voting. There may also be local ballot initiatives depending on where you live. Election supervisors are anticipating long lines on Election Day as voters confront the ballot questions, so they are encouraging voters to vote by mail or vote early, and are encouraging everyone to prepare a sample ballot or personal notes to take with you to the polls.
Many organizations have prepared summaries of the ballot questions to help voters understand their impact in order to vote on them. Here are a few:
Be Ready to Vote
Tampa Bay Times
Tampa Tribune has not yet published a voter guide for the November election.
If there is another organization whose sentiments you would like to know on the ballot questions, just do a web search for the ‘organization’s name + voter guide.’ Many issue-specific organizations do have such a guide.
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According to the U. S. Census, in the 2008 presidential election, only 64 percent of voting-age citizens voted. Government actions affect our personal and professional lives in many ways each and every day. By voting, we each do our part to ensure that those who are elected are truly representing our interests.
MARCH 2012
| 2012 LEGISLATIVE SESSION - PRELIMINARY REPORT |
Session Highlights
With one minute to spare, the Florida Legislature adjourned sine die at 11:59 PM on Friday, March 9, 2012. A total of 2052 bills were introduced, although only 292 passed both chambers.
There was good news and bad news for Florida higher education in the 2012 session. Despite a sagging economy and a Legislature facing significant budget deficits, the Florida College System fared well, maintaining current levels of state operating support and receiving additional funds for facilities operations and specific college projects.. The $70 billion dollar budget included a 2.8 percent increase for the Florida College System over the previous year’s budget, and both the House and the Senate agreed to a 5 percent tuition increase. The Governor has the option to accept or reject the proposed tuition increase. However, if he uses his veto pen, Florida Statute provides College Boards of Trustees with the ability to increase tuition based on the consumer price index, which is 3 percent this year.
The state universities faced a far more volatile session, absorbing an almost $300 million reduction in base funding, expected to be replaced by using fund balances and significant tuition increases. Two universities were granted permission to charge market value for tuition. In addition, the Legislature agreed to the creation of a 12th state university. [Continue]
