Miami-Dade's elections office began mailing more than 168,000 vote-by-mail ballots on Thursday, July 9, giving Aventura, Sunny Isles Beach, and Golden Beach voters about five weeks to mark and return their ballots before the Tuesday, August 18, primary election.
Miami-Dade County Supervisor of Elections Alina Garcia announced the first mailing at a press conference at Elections Headquarters on Wednesday, July 8. Under Florida Statute 101.62, supervisors must send the initial batch of vote-by-mail ballots between 40 and 33 days before an election.
What Aventura-area voters need to know
Residents who want to vote by mail must request a ballot by Thursday, August 6, at 5 p.m. Requests can be made at VoteMiamiDade.gov or by calling 305-499-8444.
One important detail: Florida law now requires a fresh vote-by-mail request after every general election cycle. Voters who cast mail-in ballots in the 2024 general election will find their previous enrollment has expired. They must submit a new request to receive a ballot for the 2026 primary.
Voters who prefer to cast their ballot in person can head to early voting, which runs Monday, August 3, through Sunday, August 16. The closest early voting site for Aventura, Sunny Isles Beach, and Golden Beach residents is the Northeast Dade-Aventura Branch Library at 2930 Aventura Blvd.
A staffed Secure Ballot Intake Station at that location also accepts completed mail-in ballots during voting hours.
Early voting hours at the Aventura Branch Library:
- Monday, Aug. 3 – Friday, Aug. 7: 7 a.m.–3 p.m.
- Saturday, Aug. 8 – Sunday, Aug. 9: 8 a.m.–4 p.m.
- Monday, Aug. 10 – Friday, Aug. 14: 11 a.m.–7 p.m.
- Saturday, Aug. 15 – Sunday, Aug. 16: 8 a.m.–4 p.m.
Voters may use any early voting site in Miami-Dade County, not just the one nearest their home.
Other key dates
The voter registration deadline for the August 18 primary is Monday, July 20. Florida's primary is closed for partisan races, meaning voters receive only their registered party's ballot. Nonpartisan races and ballot questions are open to all registered voters regardless of party.
Anyone voting in person will need a current, valid photo ID with a signature. If the ID lacks a signature, a second form of identification showing one is required. Voters without proper ID may cast a provisional ballot.
Garcia's office can be reached at 305-499-8683 for general information, and voters can check their registration status, track their ballot, or find their polling place at VoteMiamiDade.gov.
Upcoming community dates:
- Monday, July 20: Voter registration deadline for the August 18 primary
- Monday, Aug. 3: Early voting begins countywide
- Thursday, Aug. 6, 5 p.m.: Last day to request a mail-in ballot
- Tuesday, Aug. 18: Primary Election Day
