At LALtoday, we aim to cover local elections in a way that educates and activates our community with unbiased information to encourage individual voter participation. (I.e. vote for whoever + whatever you want to, just make sure to vote.) To learn more, check out our Editorial Ethics Policy.
The big day — aka Election Day — is just around the corner on Tuesday, Nov. 7, and we’ve done the Googling so you don’t have to. To make this election as easy as possible, we’ve curated need-to-know information about how and where to vote.
Are you registered?
First things first, make sure you’re eligible + registered to vote. Then, check your voter registration to identify your voting district.
Find your polling location
Polk County polling places will be open on Tuesday, Nov. 7 from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. If you’re unsure where to go, you can request voter information that provides your registration status + polling location.
Early walk-in voting is available on weekdays from Monday, Oct. 23 to Friday, Nov. 3 from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at these locations. Pro tip: Don’t forget to bring your photo ID.
Voting absentee? The deadline to request a mail-in ballot is Thursday, Oct. 26. Completed ballots must be received by Tuesday, Nov. 7 at 7 p.m. to be counted.
What are we voting on?
According to the sample ballot, Polk County voters will be voting for City Commissioner District A Northwest and City Commissioner At Large Seat 2.
The candidates
Candidates spoke before voters at various events like Politics in the Park in early October. If you couldn’t attend the event hosted by the Lakeland Chamber of Commerce and LkldNow, here’s what the commission hopefuls said about affordable housing, district vs. citywide voting, transportation, and more.