The importance of your vote

The importance of your vote

By Congressman Alcee L. Hastings

      This year’s election is more important than ever. With early voting well underway until Saturday, Nov. 3, I urge you and everyone you know to get out and vote.

     Early voting is a simple and easy way to make sure that your voice is heard. Join millions of your fellow Floridians in exercising your constitutional right to vote by casting a ballot in this election. Because, as you know, it is going to be close and the stakes are higher than ever.

     In order to vote early, you can go to any voting site in the county in which you live and vote from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. For more information on your voting location, please visit the Florida State Department’s Division of Elections webpage at http://election.dos.state.fl.us. Furthermore, you may also find information about how to cast your early vote including a list of Early Voting locations near you and what you need to bring with you, by visitingwww.barackobama.com/vote.

     In addition, should you have any further questions regarding early voting, voting by absentee ballot, or voting in person on Election Day, there are teams of dedicated volunteers working around the clock throughout your community to help voters like you.

     Operation Big Vote (OBV) of Broward County has been doing just that for nearly 20 years. A non-partisan organization, its mission is to enhance voter participation and education in the Black community. More information about OBV can be found by calling (954) 727-6677 or (954) 203-5334.

     With only a few days left until Election Day, your support is needed now more than ever. Not to mention that this year’s election could very well be decided right here in Florida.

     This election will undoubtedly impact the future of our great nation. Therefore, I sincerely hope that you can support President Barack Obama and myself, as well as all Democrats running for office.

     By casting your vote early, you are helping President Obama and Democrats create new jobs; make the United States a world leader in clean energy; increase access to affordable, quality health care for all Americans; improve our education system; and keep our country safe.

     The time to vote is now.  Tell all of your family members, friends, and neighbors in your community to vote today. There is just too much at stake to stay home. Together, we can move the great state of Florida and this nation forward.

     Rep. Alcee Hastings is a senior member of the House Rules Committee, Democratic Chairman of the Florida Delegation, and Ranking Democratic Member of the U.S. Helsinki Commission.