Tomorrow is the deadline to register to vote in next month’s general election. If you’ve moved, changed your last name or want to switch party affiliation, you must tell election officials about it by tomorrow. Otherwise, you may not be able to vote in the November 7th election. Anyone older than 18 who is a United States citizen is eligible to cast a ballot. Collier County elections supervisor Jennifer Edwards says there’s something on the ballot for everyone.

“We have Congressional races and of course we have our United States Senate race and we have our statewide offices for heaven’s sakes, we’re electing our new governor and we do not have an incumbent as everyone knows. So it’s an important election.”

Edwards hopes for a much bigger turnout than last month’s primary when just 17-percent of voters cast ballots. She says her office is getting ready for the start of ‘early voting’ which begins on October 23rd.

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If you want to vote in next month’s general election and haven’t registered yet, tomorrow is the deadline to do so. Election supervisors all across Southwest Florida are expecting thousands of would-be voters to register for the November 7th election. Voter turnout has been low in recent elections and in some counties only half of all eligible voters are registered. Collier County elections supervisor Jennifer Edwards says there are many reasons to vote...

“Folks should register to vote because that is their right. And I know that the 2000 election had a lot of controversy surrounding it. But one of the benefits, I think, from that election is that it demonstrates to the voters how important one vote can be.”

Edwards says if you’ve moved or had a name change, you need to update your registration. Election supervisors are mailing sample ballots out this week. Early voting actually begins on October 23rd.