Health care funding, development approvals and county auditor selection among issues on Nov. 3 ballot
BROWARD COUNTY, FL — Broward County voters will face three proposed county charter amendments on the Nov. 3 general election ballot, addressing health care funding, development approvals and the selection of the county auditor.
The countywide questions will appear alongside races for state and federal offices and three proposed amendments to the Florida Constitution.
The League of Women Voters of Broward County is urging residents to review their ballots before Election Day and learn about the candidates and issues through its online voter guide at Vote411.org.
Three county questions on the ballot
The first question asks voters to approve a one-quarter-of-1% sales surtax for five years to fund the Broward County Health Care Plan.
If approved, the tax would help pay for preventive heart and cancer screenings for qualified county residents when those services are not covered by insurance. It would also support primary and preventive care for indigent and medically underserved residents, along with other services included in the county’s health care plan.
The proposed surtax would automatically expire if a separate 1% infrastructure surtax is levied.
The second question concerns how development plats are approved. Plats are official maps that divide property into lots and identify features such as streets and easements.
Under the current county charter, the County Commission must approve plats before they can be recorded. A yes vote would authorize commissioners, through an ordinance and as allowed by state law, to establish an alternative approval process, including administrative approval.
The change could streamline certain development approvals and allow qualifying plats to move forward when commissioners are in recess, rather than waiting for the commission to act.
The third question would revise the process for choosing Broward County’s auditor.
Currently, an independent board nominates one candidate, who must then be ratified by the County Commission. Under the proposed amendment, the board would nominate three candidates, and commissioners would select the auditor by majority vote from that group. The person selected would still have to meet the qualifications established in the county charter.
Voters urged to check individual ballots
In addition to the three county charter questions, voters will consider three proposed amendments to the Florida Constitution and choose candidates in statewide and federal contests, including races for U.S. Senate, governor, attorney general, chief financial officer and commissioner of agriculture.
The League of Women Voters recommends visiting Vote411.org, where voters can enter their addresses to see the contests and ballot questions specific to their residences. The site also provides candidate responses to questions from the League and information about state and local ballot measures.
Voters can also find sample ballots through the Broward County Supervisor of Elections website at BrowardVotes.gov. Reviewing an individual ballot is particularly important because municipal races and questions may differ depending on where a voter lives.
Key dates and voting information
Voters planning to cast ballots in November should keep the following deadlines and hours in mind:
Vote-by-mail requests: Ballots must be requested for mailing by 5 p.m. Oct. 22.
Early voting: Oct. 19 through Nov. 1, daily from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Voters may use any early voting location in Broward County.
Election Day: Nov. 3, with polling places open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Vote-by-mail return deadline: Completed ballots must be received by the Supervisor of Elections by 7 p.m. on Election Day. The postmark dated Nov. 3 is not sufficient.
On Election Day, voters must report to their assigned precinct and present an acceptable photo identification document that includes a signature. Voters who are in line at 7 p.m. will be allowed to remain in line and cast their ballots.
The League of Women Voters of Broward County also offers election information and frequently asked questions in English and Spanish, including guidance on vote-by-mail procedures, early voting and Election Day requirements.
With several county and statewide issues on the ballot, election officials and voter advocates encourage residents to review their sample ballots, research the proposals and make a plan to vote before Nov. 3.
