I Wanted To Test The Florida Voting System So I Waited Until Election Day To Vote
I was curious. I wanted to test the voting system in Florida. Sure, I received numerous notices about voting early and voting by mail. I just wanted the experience of voting on Election Day. Particularly, voting in Lee County, which was ravaged by Hurricane Ian. Because of the impact of Hurricane Ian, numerous Election Day polling places in Lee County are unavailable. A lot less places for people to go and vote. So this is where I want to do my test. It’s also where I live.
I pulled into the Estero Rec Center drive and noticed the absolute wall of signs encouraging me who to vote for. To be honest, there were so many of them I didn’t see what any of them were about. I’m sure the people putting them up had fun, but when there’s that many it’s just a blur.
I parked my car and got in line at 8:42 this morning.
The people in line were quite friendly. We talked about everything but politics. This upcoming Tropical Storm/Hurricane Nicole is on everyone’s mind. Also, it seems that everyone here is originally from Ohio.
At 9:48 I got into the Estero Rec Center. Tom Petty was playing in the background. We were greeted and given some basic rules and what to expect once we got to the polling room. Everyone is so friendly.
Once inside the polling room I showed my Florida driver’s license and got my ballot. Someone met me at the voting booth to explain how everything works. Very thorough. You inserted your paper ballot into a machine and then used a touch screen to cast your votes. Once completed, the machine prints out your choices onto the paper ballot. You walk your ballot over to a second machine and feed it your ballot. That’s it. Grab your free sticker, a squirt of the hand sanitizer, and go.
I left the Rec Center at 9:56. So factoring in drive time the whole voting process took about 90 minutes. Not bad at all considering everything we’ve been through these past 6 weeks. I was pleasantly surprised on just how smooth this Florida voting thing was. Nice job Lee County.
More about Nicole:
Tropical Storm Nicole Update From Lee County
2022 Hurricane Central Preparedness Guide
2022 Hurricane Central - Preparedness Guide
Hurricane Central – Preparedness Guide gives you the updated information you may need in the event of a hurricane. Just because 2021 was a quiet year for storms doesn’t mean we can ever let our guard down. This guide is sponsored by local businesses here in SWFL. Gavin’s Ace Hardware, Sean King Law, and Powerhouse Home Services.
- Know where to go. If you are ordered to evacuate, know the local hurricane evacuation route(s) to take and have a plan for where you can stay. Contact your local emergency management agency for more information.
- Put together a go-bag: disaster supply kit, including a flashlight, batteries, cash, first aid supplies, medications, and copies of your critical information if you need to evacuate
- If you are not in an area that is advised to evacuate and you decide to stay in your home, plan for adequate supplies in case you lose power and water for several days and you are not able to leave due to flooding or blocked roads.
- Make a family emergency communication plan.
- Many communities have text or email alerting systems for emergency notifications. To find out what alerts are available in your area, search the Internet with your town, city, or county name and the word “alerts.”
Terminology - Hurricane Watch
Hurricane watch = conditions possible within the next 48 hrs.
Steps to take:
- Review your evacuation route(s) & listen to local officials.
- Review the items in your disaster supply kit; and add items to meet the household needs for children, parents, individuals with disabilities or other access and functional needs or pets.
Terminology - Hurricane Warning
Hurricane warning = conditions are expected within 36 hrs.
Steps to take:
- Follow evacuation orders from local officials, if given.
- Check-in with family and friends by texting or using social media.
Follow the hurricane timeline preparedness checklist, depending on when the storm is anticipated to hit and the impact that is projected for your location.
- Bookmark your city or county website for quick access to storm updates and emergency instructions.
- Bring loose, lightweight objects inside that could become projectiles in high winds (e.g., patio furniture, garbage cans); anchor objects that would be unsafe to bring inside (e.g., propane tanks); and trim or remove trees close enough to fall on the building.
- Cover all of your home’s windows. Permanent storm shutters offer the best protection for windows. A second option is to board up windows with 5/8” exterior grade or marine plywood, cut to fit and ready to install.
- Turn on your TV or radio in order to get the latest weather updates and emergency instructions.
- Build or restock your emergency preparedness kit. Include food and water sufficient for at least three days, medications, a flashlight, batteries, cash, and first aid supplies.
- Plan how to communicate with family members if you lose power. For example, you can call, text, email or use social media. Remember that during disasters, sending text messages is usually reliable and faster than making phone calls because phone lines are often overloaded.
- Review your evacuation plan with your family. You may have to leave quickly so plan ahead.
- Keep your car in good working condition, and keep the gas tank full; stock your vehicle with emergency supplies and a change of clothes.
After The Hurricane
- Listen to local officials for updates and instructions.
- Check-in with family and friends by texting or using social media.
- Return home only when authorities indicate it is safe.
- Watch out for debris and downed power lines.
- Avoid walking or driving through flood waters. Just 6 inches of moving water can knock you down, and one foot of fast-moving water can sweep your vehicle away.
- Avoid flood water as it may be electrically charged from underground or downed power lines and may hide dangerous debris or places where the ground is washed away.
- Photograph the damage to your property in order to assist in filing an insurance claim.
- Do what you can to prevent further damage to your property, (e.g., putting a tarp on a damaged roof), as insurance may not cover additional damage that occurs after the storm.
Florida Voting
