Voter Registration Deadline Is Monday

BROOKSVILLE - Voters who want to make their voices heard in next month's primary election need to register by Monday, July 28.

That's also the last day that voters can elect to change parties for the Aug. 26 primary.

Residents who are new to the state, new to Hernando County or have not voted in a while should check their registration status by calling the Hernando County Supervisor of Elections at 754-4125.

Voter registration applications are available at county libraries, post offices, driver's license offices, at both elections office locations and online at www.hernandovotes.com.

To change a party, voters can use the same registration form and check the party affiliation box.

As of July 1, the county had 119,583 registered voters. Of those, 48,190 were Republicans and 46,184 Democrats. That leaves 25,209 registered voters who had chosen to register with a minor party or with no party affiliation.

Florida is a closed primary state, so voters who want to vote in a partisan primary election must be registered with the party for which the primary is being held.

Deadline to request absentee ballot is Aug. 20

Voters who want to vote by absentee ballot have until Aug. 20 to request one.

There are multiple ways to do so:

- By phone: 754-4125.

- By fax: 754-4425. When requesting by fax, include the voter's name, signature, date of birth, address, phone number, home address, address where the voter wants the ballot mailed and the election for which the voter is requesting the ballot.

- By e-mail: awilliams@hernandocounty.us. Include the same information listed above.

- On the web: www.hernandovotes.com.

- In person at one of the two elections offices.

Early voting begins Aug. 11

There will be two weeks of early voting for this primary.

Early voting runs from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Aug. 11-16 and Aug. 18-23 at both elections offices.

Reporter Tony Marrero can be reached at 352-544-5286 or lmarrero@hernandotoday.com.

To register to vote

Voter registration applications are available at county libraries, post offices, driver's license offices, at both elections office locations and online at www.hernandovotes.com.

The Brooksville office is at 20 N. Main St., Room 165. The Spring Hill office is at 7443 Forest Oaks Blvd.

For more information, call 754-4125.