Dear Neighbor,

Para ver este boletín electrónico en español, haga clic aquí.

As we continue to feel the impact of the coronavirus pandemic and the national movement against police brutality and systematic racism, many of us are wondering how we can stay safe and take action in support of racial justice. I want to highlight one way you can be involved from the safety of your home.

One of the best ways to make your voice heard is by voting. Local elections are incredibly important, and the officials who win these races oversee everything from police department budgets to funding for public health resources.

Rep. Shalala's Community Relations Round Table

The coronavirus pandemic has left many Americans wondering how they will be able to cast their ballots without jeopardizing their health. In Florida, we’re fortunate to have no-excuse voting by mail, so you don’t have to worry about putting your health at risk to make your voice heard.

This week, the Miami-Dade County Supervisor of Elections is mailing vote-by-mail ballot request forms to all voters. Simply fill that request out and mail it back to receive your vote-by-mail ballots for the upcoming elections you select. You can choose to receive a vote-by-mail ballot for a specific election, or for all elections in which you are eligible to vote through the end of the second regularly scheduled general election. The deadline to request a vote-by-mail ballot is 5:00 p.m. on the tenth day before the election in which you want to vote.

If you want to request your vote-by-mail ballot online, you can do so here. After you've voted on a vote-by-mail ballot, you can track the status of your ballot online. If you think you might want to vote by mail in the next election, you should request your ballot as soon as possible to ensure you have ample time to fill it out and send it in.

Since the passage of Amendment 4 in 2018, felons who have served their time are now eligible to vote. Given that our justice system disproportionately targets people of color, Amendment 4 was a victory for minority communities in particular, which have experienced centuries of oppression. Amendment 4 restores voting rights to over 1.4 million Floridians. A federal judge recently ruled that a state law requiring felons to pay off legal fees before voting was unconstitutional.

If you have been prohibited from voting in the past due to a felony conviction, you should register to vote to see if your right has been restored. You must register at least 29 days before the election in which you want to vote. You can register online through the Florida Department of State. You can also register by mail or in person using the form in English or Spanish. Paper application forms can be found at any county Supervisor of Elections office, local library, or any entity authorized by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission to issue fishing, hunting, or trapping permits. The form contains information on how to submit your application to your county Supervisor of Elections. 

I am grateful for the people in our community who worked to pass Amendment 4 and who have participated in protests over the last few weeks. I am also enormously sympathetic to those who have not been able to protest on account of health concerns. It’s important to remember that there are many ways to participate in our democracy and make your voice heard. Voting—especially voting by mail—is one of the most accessible and safest ways to do just that.

If you have concerns to share with me, you can always send me an email or call my office—use (305) 668-2285 to reach my Miami office and (202) 225-3931 to reach my D.C. office. My staff and I are practicing social distancing, but we are able to help you get the assistance and support you need via phone or email. We are also updating our website daily with resources for you during this challenging time: shalala.house.gov.

Stay safe and healthy,