Florida residents, new to the state or new to the county in which they live or those who have never voted, have until next Monday, Oct. 5, to register in order to vote in the Presidential Election in November.

We’re still in a pandemic, Coronavirus a.k.a. COVID-19, so election officials and community leaders are urging residents to make a plan so that they can exercise their right to vote in the critical and historical election. The main thing at stake in the election: the United States Office of Presidency, the most powerful position in the natural world, currently held by Donald J. Trump. Former Vice President Joe Biden is running against Trump. Biden selected Senator Kamala Harris to be his running mate. Harris is the first Indian-American and Black American to be selected by a major political party for VP. She will face off against current VP Mike Pence.

Registering to vote may be the first step in your plan.

At this point, the most efficient and sure way to register is directly with your county Supervisor of Elections Office. In Orange County, the office is located at 119 W. Kaley Street, Orlando, FL, 32806. Phone: (407) 836-2070.

The elections office has even extended it’s hours to help people get registered – Saturday, Oct. 3 hours: 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. and Monday, Oct. 5 hours: 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.

Now is also a good time to update your contact information, signature and party affiliation. The goal is to be able to vote early or vote on election day with no issues to slow you down and/or slow other voters down waiting in line.

Because we’re only about a month away from election day and the whole country is experiencing challenges because of the virus, every registered voter should consider voting early rather than mailing in their ballots. You can vote early either by filling out your mail in ballot, signing it and dropping it off at your county elections office or by going to an early voting location in your county to vote in person. In Orange County, early voting will be open for 14 days, starting on Oct. 19 and ending on Nov. 1. Tuesday, Nov. 3, is Election Day.

If you have any questions about registering to vote in Orange County, call the elections office or visit the office in person – BEFORE Monday, Oct. 5!

-Trish Martin, OCN Founder & Editor, orlandocommunitynews@gmail.com