It has been 20 years since the presidential race between Bush and Gore put Florida and Broward County in the spotlight and introduced the word “chad” and all of the adjectives used to describe voter intent.  But because of that election, Florida did much to change the election laws so that we are now quite progressive (not perfect) in regards to the voting process.

In addition, we have had two trial runs in 2020 to improve the operations for the general election on November 3 and learn how to vote in a pandemic.  The Supervisor of Election signed the paperwork on October 15 that grants the Broward Sheriff’s Office the authority to remove any “disruptive and unruly” people from polling sites, including people who are not wearing a mask.  Just to be clear, BSO will not be stationed at early voting location or precincts.  They will only show up if called.  This paperwork simply makes it easier for BSO to intervene, as they won’t need to contact the owner of the properties where the election sites are located.

Personally, I applaud Mr. Antonacci’s creative use of existing laws.  Separating voters who wouldn’t wear a mask from those who would, as was suggested, may have made sense for protecting other voters, but it still meant that poll workers, like me and other League members, had to deal with the mask-less voter!  Hopefully, this will reassure both voters and poll workers that it is safe to go in person to the polls, either for Early Voting or on Election Day.

Mr. Antonacci has also negotiated with the U.S. Postal Service in Broward County to have Vote-By-Mail ballots separated from regular mail starting on October 31 through November 3.  The SOE will pick up these ballots directly from each post office in Broward County.  This will prevent those ballots from leaving the county and being sent to the Opa Locka processing center in Miami-Dade County before coming back to Broward County.

But, a play is never over until the final act is completed, and the same is true for elections.  For the 2020 presidential election, November 3 is not likely to be the final act, unless there is overwhelming support for one candidate over the other.  Votes in all states will continue to be counted.  In Florida, people with problematic ballots will have until 5 pm on November 5 to solve the problem and have their ballot counted.  Overseas ballots, postmarked no later than November 3, will continue to arrive and be counted through November 13.  The deadline for submitting the official results to the Florida Department of State is not until noon on November 15.

Florida will still be in the spotlight, but not because of pregnant chads or hanging chads, but because the election will likely be very close.  This is why we need to continue to educate the public and do so in a calm and reasoned manner.  This is not the time for conspiracy theories, finger pointing and spreading of misinformation or disinformation.  As individuals, we need to be responsible when using social media – not only in what we post but also in what we forward.  We need to use tactics that will deescalate the tension in the county, not escalate.  We need to stick to the facts!

In 2020, we are celebrating the 100th anniversary of the 19th Amendment. We had hoped to mount an informative and entertaining exhibit on the sixth floor gallery at the Broward County Main Library during the month of August 2020.

The COVID-19 pandemic has made that impossible, so we have postponed the exhibit until August 2021, when we’ll celebrate during the 101st anniversary. 

Sponsor a suffragist and you’ll be credited on the display panel for her. Look at our suffragist gallery here, where you can complete a quick form to become a sponsor.

The League of Women Voters Broward County welcomes new members.  Encourage your friends and family to join us in our important work in Making Democracy Work, and help us welcome these new members: