If we’re ever going to make progress on cleaner water, people who support our waterways and wild Florida in general need to get themselves to the polls.

Below is a rundown of how to register; how to request a vote-by-mail ballot; and when early voting begins.

And for those committed to the cause,  consider getting involved with the Environmental Voter Project, a group that seeks to turn out conservation-minded voters who tend not to vote. Among other things the group needs help with phone banking, including an upcoming effort in Florida. Since 2017 EVP has contacted more than 2.1 million Florida voters, and turned nearly 220,000 into consistent super-voters. Keep that up – and the politicians that support polluting special interests won’t know what hit ’em!

When and how to get registered to vote

The deadline to register for the Nov. 3 general election is Monday, Oct 5. Here’s how to sign up:

• Online: Visit RegisterToVoteFlorida.gov. You can also register to vote when renewing your driver license or state identification card through the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles’ online renewal system.
• By mail: Use Florida’s voter registration form; you’ll need to print it, fill it out and send it to your local Supervisor of Elections office (listed on the form).
• In person: Deliver the voter registration form to the Supervisor of Elections office, Tax Collector’s office or any voter registration agency. Contact information for your county Supervisor of Elections can be found here.

If you’re planning to vote by mail

The deadline to request a vote-by-mail ballot is Thursday, Oct. 22. You must direct your request to your local Supervisor of Elections office either online (where available), in person, by phone or by filling out this form and mailing it in or sending it as an email attachment. Links to all county Supervisor of Elections websites can be found here.

The ballot must be received, regardless of postmark, by the Supervisor of Elections’ office no later than 7 p.m. on Election Day.

Early voting begins

• Oct. 19 in Broward, Lee, Miami-Dade, Monroe, Palm Beach and St. Lucie counties.
• Oct. 20 in Martin County.
• Oct. 21 in Collier County

For a full list of Florida counties, click here.