General and Safety Tips for Voting in Person Nov. 3

Florida's General Election is Tuesday, Nov. 3, and all polling locations will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. As of Oct. 27, 112,310 of the 166,116 vote by mail ballots requested had been returned for counting. Another 74,827 voted early.

Polk County Supervisor of Elections Lori Edwards has some important tips to keep in mind as workers and voters employ safe practices when voting.

Precautions to protect voters and workers from COVID-19 mean less voters may be allowed in each polling location at one time. Face masks are encouraged, but not required for voters in the polling room. Election staff, however, will be wearing face masks and/or face shields.

Voters may want to bring their own black or blue ink pen from home to mark their ballot and sign the poll register.

Be sure to bring patience on Election Day. Safe spacing means each polling location may have less workers to serve the public.

Remember to thank your election worker. They are members of our community working hard to ensure a safe and accurate election.

Polk County has 417,241 registered voters: 172,980 Republican, 161,681 Democrat, and 136,589 other. Early voters included 25,883 Democrats, 33,996 Republicans and 14,948 others. As of Oct. 27, the elections office had received about 70 percent of the 49,948 of the 71,360 vote by mail ballots requested by Democrats (70 percent), 49,948 of the 56,018 ballots requested by Republicans (69 percent) and 23,849 of the 38,738 ballots requested by others (62 percent).

Other tips for voting in person:

• Bring photo and signature ID to the polls when you vote

• You may take your sample ballot into the polling room

• If you have moved, changed your name or your signature has changed, notify the Elections Office before Election Day

• Double check your polling location as some may have changed for this election; Polk has 167 precincts.

For more information, visit PolkElections.com or call the Elections Office at (863) 534-5888.