South Florida voters head to the polls as election day kicks off

Many voters cast their ballots before heading to their jobs. Others snapped selfies outside polling sites to show their pride in participating in today’s election. And some poll workers were happy with the turnout so far.

Election day for the primary elections is underway Tuesday, and South Floridians are weighing in on many contests. Click here for some of the top races.

The Pine Trails Amphitheater precinct in Parkland was busier today than the precinct clerk said she had ever seen it.

Many voters passed through the precinct in the first two hours of voting with the background noise of campaigners in the parking lot shouting for their candidates.

One of the most prominent voices was that of Amy Shield, 47, of Parkland, who periodically yelled “Vote A to Z for School Board, Lori Alhadeff to Allen Zeman!”

A poll worker greets a voter Tuesday at Longshoremen’s local hall in Fort Lauderdale. (Joe Cavaretta)

In the race for Florida’s governor, some Democratic voters were deciding between a candidate they wanted and a candidate they thought would win, including Lisa Silvers, an investment banker from Parkland.

She said she didn’t vote for who she wanted: She vote for Charlie Crist. “I think he has the best chance of beating DeSantis,” she said.

In addition to believing Crist to be the candidate to defeat Gov. Ron DeSantis, some voters said they liked what Crist did when he was governor, including keeping property taxes down.

Joseph Van de Bogart stops to take a selfie with his children after he was one of the first to vote at the Oakland Park Library on Tuesday. (Joe Cavaretta)

Barbara and Charlie Kaplan, of Parkland, both voted for agricultural commissioner Nikki Fried for their party’s gubernatorial candidate.

“She’s a woman,” said Barbara Kaplan, who works in accounting. She said her beliefs align with those of Fried’s.

Charlie Kaplan, a retired law enforcement officer, added, “I think we need more women in government.”

Both also said they identified with Jared Moskowitz, selecting him as their party’s candidate for the redistricted 23rd congressional seat, which Ted Deutch is vacating after six terms in office.

A Boca Raton library served as a polling site Tuesday. (Joe Cavaretta)

Election officials are reminding voters to make sure they’re heading to their assigned polling location on Tuesday: That’s because due to redistricting changes, their polling location may have changed.

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So voters may show up to the wrong polling location if they didn’t look closely at the polling-site details on their voter cards.

Election officials also are reminding voters to:

The polls opened at 7 a.m. and will close at 7 p.m. Election officials are hoping for a larger turnout today, to help boost the number of ballots cast during early voting.

“We’re pretty happy with the turnout so far, we’re hoping we have a big showing” on election day, said Joe Scott, Broward’s elections supervisor, on Monday.

In Palm Beach County, the hope is for “at least 20%” turnout,” said Wendy Sartory Link, Palm Beach’s supervisor of elections. “Obviously we always want more voters,” Sartory Link said. “We’re hoping people come out in force” on election day.

Staff writer Lisa J. Huriash contributed to this report.

This is a developing story, so check back for updates. Click here to have breaking news alerts sent directly to your inbox.