In June, the Supreme Court struck down Section 4 of the Voting Rights Act, which prompted some questions about what that would mean for Hillsborough County.
Before the ruling, our office was required to get clearance from the Department of Justice before making changes to our voting process. Most of our voting rules are set by the state, so on the county level, this “pre-clearance” procedure applied mainly to our decisions about where to locate polling places. The Supreme Court ruling means we won’t have to do that anymore, but the ruling doesn’t mean we’ll be any less vigilant about locating polling places where all voters will be best served.
This summer, we are visiting every building that served as a polling place in 2012. All 276 of them. Before every election, we have to find some new locations to replace polling places that are no longer there or are no longer adequate for our needs.
When visiting current or potential polling places, here are just a few of the things we consider:
- Number of parking spaces
- Ease of entrance and exit in parking lots
- Ability to post signs on contiguous roadways that are clearly visible
- Proximity to public transportation routes
- Accessibility for people with disabilities
- Availability before Election Day for equipment storage and set up
We also seek to ensure that polling locations are centrally located within each precinct, and that no voter has to travel more than a few miles from their home to vote on Election Day.
Find out what's happening in Lutzwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
If you have suggestions about possible polling locations, please let us know—but remember that each location must meet the requirements listed above. You can email us at voter@hcsoe.org or fill out a comment card on our website.
Find out what's happening in Lutzwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
For more information on voting and elections in Hillsborough County, call (813) 744-5900 or visit www.VoteHillsborough.org. The website is updated regularly and the office also shares timely information on Facebook, twitter and through an email newsletter. Visit the Supervisor of Elections offices in person at the Fred B. Karl County Center, 601 E. Kennedy Boulevard, 16th Floor, or the Robert L. Gilder Elections Service Center at 2514 N. Falkenburg Road.
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Three Ways To Vote
Vote By Mail: Vote By Mail is available to any registered voter. Make your request by calling (813) 744-5900 or visiting VoteHillsborough.org and vote from the comfort of your own home.
Early Voting: Voters can vote at any Early Voting location. Choose the location and time that is most convenient for you. Hours and locations are posted at VoteHillsborough.org.
Election Day: Voters must vote at their designated polling place and polls are open from 7 a.m. – 7 p.m. Find out where your precinct is located at VoteHillsborough.org.
Our next Primary Election is August 26, 2014 and our next General Election is November 4, 2014.
