DORAL, Fla. – Tuesday is Primary Election Day, and voters in South Florida are heading to the polls with several major races on the line.
While over 200,000 have already cast their ballots by mail, those voting in person Tuesday will want to keep an eye on a few key contests.
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In Miami-Dade, incumbent Mayor Daniella Levine Cava is seeking re-election against challengers including Miami Lakes Mayor Manny Cid, former Surfside Mayor Shlomo Danzinger, former Florida’s 28th congressional district candidate Carlos Garín, Cuban-American social media influencer Alexander Otaola, trapeze artist and Libertarian Miguel Quintero, and cargo and transportation executive Eddy Rojas.
A total of seven candidates are vying for the mayoral position, and a candidate must secure more than 50% of the vote to avoid a runoff.
Miami-Dade County is also holding its first sheriff election in over 60 years, with 11 Republican and four Democratic candidates competing. The top candidates from each primary will face off in November.
In the Democratic Primary for Broward County Sheriff, the incumbent sheriff Gregory Tony is up against Steve Geller, David Howard and Al Pollock.
The winner is likely to secure the sheriff position in November in heavily Democratic Broward County.
Meanwhile, in the U.S. Senate race, former U.S. Representative Debbie Mucarsel-Powell is challenging incumbent Republican Senator Rick Scott, who also faces opposition in the GOP primary.
In addition to selecting a candidate from each party for the U.S. Senate race, Monroe County voters will be selecting their choice for District 5 county commissioner on Tuesday
They will also be making their selections for Republican state committeeman and committeewoman and Republican candidate for Monroe County Supervisor of Elections.
In Key West, two commission seats are up for grabs.
A Local 10 News crew was at the Miami-Dade Elections Department headquarters in Doral Tuesday morning, where citizens were seen dropping off mail-in ballots, registering to vote for future elections and confirming their polling locations as they prepare to cast their ballots in key races.
Miami-Dade resident Juan Pirel told Local 10 it was his first time voting in any election.
“I always vote because I’m part of society,” said voter Juan Manuel Carrasquel. “I studied the backgrounds of each candidate and chose who I thought was best.”
Christina White, the Supervisor of Elections for Miami-Dade County, told Local 10 News that the term “primary” might mislead some voters, particularly those without party affiliation, into thinking this election doesn’t apply to them.
“I’ve heard from many voters that have no party affiliation that they believe this isn’t an election for them to vote in and nothing can be further from the truth,” White said. “All 1.5 million registered voters in Miami-Dade are eligible.”
She also reminded voters that those voting in person must go to their assigned precinct and bring a valid Florida ID.
“Confirm your voting location by checking your voting information card, calling 311, or visiting our website. Polls close at 7 p.m. Don’t wait until the last minute. It’s a strict Florida law — you must be in line by 7 o’clock to vote,” White added.
White also mentioned that voter turnout in Miami-Dade has been slow Tuesday, but things have been running smoothly at polling locations.
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CLICK HERE to view Local 10′s Vote 2024 guide: What you need to know to vote in Florida.