Important Information to Help You Prepare

With the 2014 Election cycle just around the corner, I’d like to offer a few last minute reminders to Pasco County voters.  In order to make your voting experience a pleasant and smooth process there are a few things you as a voter can do to prepare.

Help us do our job better by ensuring that your voter registration is up-to-date.  The more accurate our file, the better able we are to serve the voters of Pasco County.  Voter registration address changes can be done by telephone, on-line, or by written notification but failure to update your address prior to Election Day could result in delays at the polls. If you have not voted since the last gubernatorial election, you should check your voter registration status on-line, pascovotes.com, or call our office 800-851-8754.  Do not wait until Election Day to find out if you are registered and if your registration is in good standing!

It is important to utilize your sample ballot to help expedite voting at the polls. Mark your sample ballot and take it with you so you can copy your choices onto your official ballot.  Due to changing circumstances, some polling locations have changed.  All voters are sent new voter information cards when their polling locations change or when they move, but if you have not maintained a current address with my office, you may not have received this information.  A complete list of polling locations is available online, pascovotes.com, or by calling 1-800-851-8754.

Although Florida is a closed primary state in which your ballot is specific to your party affiliation, the upcoming August 26, 2014 primary will have a universal primary race for County Commission District 4.  This happens when all candidates running for a specific office are the same party affiliation and the winner will be determined in the primary.  All voters will vote in this race regardless of party affiliation.   Other offices, such as school board members and judges, are nonpartisan races and these candidates are elected at large.  Although these offices are assigned specific geographical areas, they are elected by ALL voters not just those living within those areas.

With plenty of advanced notice and proper preparation, there should be no reason to forgo one of the greatest freedoms afforded to all Americans. If there is anything my staff and I can do to help you prepare and to make your voting experience trouble-free, please feel free to contact us.