Miami-Dade concludes testing of its voting equipment
The Miami-Dade County Elections Department concluded testing of its voting equipment in preparation for the August 23 primary election.
The logic and accuracy test is the final check prior to equipment deployment for the upcoming election. Each step of the voting and tabulation process was tested: test ballots were cast according to a predetermined outcome, tabulated, and reconciled to ensure the votes were recorded accurately.
Supervisor of Elections Christina White said, “This comprehensive test has been completed and the results are as expected. Our equipment is functioning properly, and test votes were recorded accurately. Miami-Dade voters can be confident that we are election ready.” She also stated that voters can be election ready by reviewing their customized sample ballot in advance of voting.
The department will begin deploying voting equipment ahead of early voting, which begins Monday, August 8, and continues through Sunday, August 21. Early voting will be available at 23 locations and open for eight hours each day.
At the conclusion of the 2020 United States census, the Florida Legislature and Miami-Dade County completed a process called “redistricting,” the redrawing of district lines to adjust for population growth rates. As a result, voters’ representatives, district numbers, or polling places may have changed. In preparation for the August 23 primary election, all voters were mailed a new voter information card. Voters are invited to discard their old card and review their new card carefully to confirm which districts they are assigned to and that all their information is correct, including party affiliation.
Miami-Dade County will officially celebrate Black Business Month to uplift and support black businesses during the month of August.
Miami-Dade Economic Advocacy Trust (MDEAT), the agency working for the economic development of Miami-Dade County’s Black community, is hosting a reception honoring Black Business Month and launching Miami-Dade County’s “Support Black Owned Business 305” campaign. The launch event is scheduled for Thursday, August 4, at 6:00 p.m. at The Urban, located at 1000 N.W. 2nd Avenue in Miami’s Overtown community.
Miami-Dade County Commissioner Kionne McGhee recently sponsored an ordinance declaring August as Black Business Month for the first time in Miami-Dade County. The month-long initiative aims to promote the value and viability of Miami’s multibillion dollar Black-owned business sector.
“Miami-Dade County’s Black businesses collectively generate more than $2.3 billion for the local economy. Their growth and vitality are in Miami-Dade County’s interest,” said MDEAT Executive Director William “Bill” Diggs. “We invite the community to join us as we uplift one of the region’s most diverse and underutilized resources. If you are serious about creating a sustainable Miami-Dade County that works for everyone, please join us for this important event.”
MDEAT led a coalition of community partners including the Miami-Dade Black Affairs Advisory Board, the Greater Miami Conventions & Visitors Bureau, and various chambers of commerce and minority business organizations, to develop the County campaign. Miami-Dade County elected officials and MDEAT Executive Director Diggs will reveal the details of this robust campaign during the reception.
