Broward voters to decide three county charter questions in November election
Key Points(5)
- Broward County voters will decide three countywide charter questions when they head to the polls for the Nov.
- 3 general election, in addition to races for state and federal offices and three proposed amendments to the Florida Constitution.
- The League of Women Voters of Broward County is encouraging voters to review their individual ballots ahead of Election Day and use its online voter guide, Vote411.org, to learn more about candidates and ballot measures.
- The three Broward County charter questions concern health care funding, the approval of development plats and the selection of the county auditor.
- The first question asks voters whether the county should levy a one-quarter of 1% sales surtax for five years to fund a county health care plan.
Broward County voters will decide three countywide charter questions when they head to the polls for the Nov. 3 general election, in addition to races for state and federal offices and three proposed amendments to the Florida Constitution.
The League of Women Voters of Broward County is encouraging voters to review their individual ballots ahead of Election Day and use its online voter guide, Vote411.org, to learn more about candidates and ballot measures.
The three Broward County charter questions concern health care funding, the approval of development plats and the selection of the county auditor.
The first question asks voters whether the county should levy a one-quarter of 1% sales surtax for five years to fund a county health care plan. The proposed funding would cover preventive heart and cancer screenings, when not covered by insurance, for qualified Broward County residents; primary and preventive care for indigent or medically underserved residents; and other health services outlined in the county's health care plan.
The surtax would automatically expire if a separate 1% infrastructure surtax is levied. The proposal is identified as the Broward County Health Care Plan on the county's charter website.
The second question would change the county's process for approving plats, which are official maps used to divide property into lots and establish related features such as streets and easements.
Currently, Broward County's charter requires the County Commission to approve plats before they can be recorded. A yes vote would allow the commission, through an ordinance and as permitted by state law, to establish an alternative process, such as administrative approval.
The change could allow certain plats to be approved more quickly, including while the County Commission is in recess, rather than waiting for commission action.
The third question would change how Broward County selects its county auditor.
Under the current charter, an independent board nominates one person for the position, and the County Commission must ratify the nominee. If voters approve the proposed amendment, the independent board would instead nominate three candidates. The County Commission would then select the county auditor by majority vote from among those three candidates, provided the person selected meets the qualifications required by the charter.
The charter questions are separate from the three proposed Florida constitutional amendments also appearing on the Nov. 3 ballot. The statewide ballot includes races for U.S. Senate, governor, attorney general, chief financial officer and commissioner of agriculture, among others.
Voters can review their individual ballots
The League of Women Voters of Broward County recommends that voters use Vote411.org, where they can enter their address to see the races and questions appearing on their specific ballot. The site also provides candidate responses to questions from the League and information on the state and county measures.
The Broward County Supervisor of Elections also provides a sample-ballot lookup through BrowardVotes.gov. Because municipal questions can vary depending on where a voter lives, checking an individual sample ballot is important.
Voters who want a vote-by-mail ballot must request that it be mailed by 5 p.m. Oct. 22. Completed vote-by-mail ballots must be received by the Supervisor of Elections by 7 p.m. on Election Day, Nov. 3; a Nov. 3 postmark alone does not count.
Early voting will run from Oct. 19 through Nov. 1, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. each day. Voters may use any early voting location in Broward County.
On Election Day, polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Voters must go to their assigned precinct and bring an acceptable photo ID with a signature. Anyone in line at 7 p.m. is allowed to remain in line and vote.
The League also provides election information and voting FAQs in English and Spanish, including guidance on vote-by-mail, early voting and Election Day procedures.
