Election Guide 2016: Polling Places, Times, Amendments for Tampa Bay and Beyond

Election Day 2016 is here and that means there are lots of things voters need to know before they head to the polls. To make it easier for readers, Patch has put together a county-by-county guide of things voters need to be aware of before they head to the polls. We’ve also collected information pertinent to voters across the state.

Here’s what voters need to know before they cast their ballots:

Polling Hours

Polls across the state will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Election Day, Nov. 8. Any voters who are waiting in line at 7 p.m. will be able to cast a ballot, according to the Florida Division of Elections.

What to Bring to the Polls

Registered voters in Florida are asked to provide a valid photo ID complete with a signature. Some of the IDs accepted include:

• Florida driver’s license
• Florida ID card issued by the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles
• United States passport
• Military identification
• Student identification
• Public assistance identification
• Veteran health ID card issued by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

“If you do not bring proper ID, you can still vote a provisional ballot,” the Florida Division of Elections says. “As long as you are eligible and voted in the proper precinct, your provisional ballot will count provided the signature on your provisional ballot matches the signature in your registration record.”

Voters should remember that photography is not allowed inside a polling place. That means selfies with ballots are out.

Reporting Problems at the Polls

Did you experience problems at the polls in the Tampa Bay area? Long lines? Trouble finding your polling place? Whatever it is, we want to know. Text us your experiences by signing up for the Electionland Project. Just text ELECTIONLAND to 69866 to participate and tell us about your experience voting. We’ll find out what, if anything, went wrong in your district.

Amendments on the Ballot

Aside from naming the new president and winners in a variety of state and local races, Florida voters are being asked to decide the fate of four amendments to the state's constitution. They are as follows:

• Amendment 1 – This utility-backed solar energy amendment would put language into the state constitution that would spell out rules for the production, use and sale of solar power. A no vote would enable consumers to own or lease solar-power equipment on their own property. A yes vote could potentially put up a constitutional barrier to new laws that would broaden the solar power market by allowing solar companies to sell solar power to customers. In addition, a no vote would keep in place rules that allow consumers to obtain credits from utility companies when solar equipment they own or lease produced excess solar power that is returned to the grid.
• Amendment 2 – This medical marijuana amendment will provide people with debilitating medical conditions the right to use marijuana with a doctor’s certification. It would also create medical marijuana treatment centers where marijuana is cultivated and dispensed to patients and caregivers.
• Amendments 3 and 4 – Both amendments provide property tax exemptions under certain circumstances. Amendment 3 would provide an exemption for first responders who are totally and permanently disabled in the line of duty. Amendment 4 would make sure low-income seniors who qualify for city- or county-approved property tax exemptions do not lose those exemptions if the value of their home rises to exceed a $250,000 limit. The amendment is designed to prevent seniors who currently qualify for exemptions from losing them should their property values rise.

For more information on the four amendments, visit the League of Women Voters of Florida online.

Finding Your Precinct

Supervisor of Elections Offices across the state offer online tools to help registered voters find their polling places. Here are county-by-county links for the precinct lookup tools:

• Polk County
• Hillsborough County
• Pinellas County
• Sarasota County
• Pasco County
• Manatee County

Voters who need to look up their precincts will be asked to enter their home address, including street and house number.

Patch will be on the ground covering the elections Nov. 8. Be sure to check back with us throughout the day for updates and in the evening for results as they start coming in.

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