LOOKING AHEAD TO NEXT WEEK

Angelo Castillo, commissioner, Pembroke Pines. As Election Day, Aug. 23, draws near, it is important for every citizen able to cast a vote to reflect on their most important civic duty. Whether you vote by mail, early or in person on Election Day, please make sure your vote is cast, your voice is heard and your neighbors alerted by the importance of voting. Be a hero. Be an American. Make sure your voice counts. Vote in every election as if your life depends on it. Because one day it just might.

Dean Trantalis, mayor, Fort Lauderdale. Primary Election Day is this Tuesday, Aug. 23. The polls are open on Election Day, from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m. Any voters waiting in line at 7 p.m. will have the opportunity to cast a ballot. If you are still in possession of your vote-bymail ballot, bring it with you to vote in-person and return it to an official poll worker. Be aware that even if you have voted at a polling location before, it may have changed this year. The Supervisor of Elections included precinct information on the voter registration cards mailed to voters recently. To confirm your polling location, visit browardvotes.gov/voter-information/precinct-finder. If you have any questions about voting in Broward County, call the Broward Supervisor of Elections at 954-357-VOTE (8683), Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m.

Michael De Lucca, president, Broward Regional Health Planning Council, Inc. The Florida Department of Health began offering monkeypox vaccines in both Broward and Miami-Dade last week, by appointment only. To schedule an appointment in Broward at Mills Pond Park, located at 2201 N.W. Ninth Ave. in Fort Lauderdale, visit vaccineappointmentbroward.com. Appointments are available Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m.-7p.m. In Miami-Dade, visit miamidade.gov/ monkeypox or call 1-833-875-0900. No walk-ins will be accepted. If there are no appointments available, continue to check the websites frequently. Broward and Miami-Dade will provide new appointments as additional vaccines become available.

Debbi Hixon, member, Broward County School Board. Broward County Public Schools is presenting voters with a referendum renewal that will appear on the Aug. 23 primary election ballot. The new Secure the Next Generation Referendum would increase voters’ investment in education from a half-mill to one mill to continue securing funds for all public schools and will now also include charter schools. The referendum funds will help recruit and retain high-quality teachers and eligible staff by increasing compensation supplements, maintain and enhance school resource officers and school safety staff, and maintain and enhance essential programs, such as mental health services.

Bob Mayersohn, city commissioner, Parkland; president, Broward League of Cities. Tuesday, Aug. 23, is your last chance to vote in this year’s primary. Let your voice be heard by voting for school board members, county and circuit court judges, as well as partisan primary candidates. If you haven’t voted early but have a mail-in ballot, remember it must arrive at the Broward Supervisor of Elections office by 7 p.m. on Tuesday. If you are an Election Day voter, double check your precinct, as some polling locations have changed. Whether you vote by mail, in-person or on Election Day, exercise your constitutional rights and embrace the opportunity to vote.

Andrea Cristina Mercado, co-executive director, Florida Rising. Primaries are coming up on Tuesday, Aug. 23. Historically, this election has had a low turnout. But this time around, things have changed dramatically in Florida and our country. Democracy and the right to vote are at risk at every step. DeSantis showed in his new political stunt staged Thursday in the Broward County Courthouse a desperate effort to demonstrate the need for his private election police force. The real crime, though, is DeSantis’ attack on free and fair elections. He will try to create hysteria around fraud in order to further disenfranchise Black and brown voters. This Tuesday and in November, the future of our schools, dignity and democracy are on the ballot.

Frank Ortis, mayor, Pembroke Pines. The new school year has begun, and as I made visits to our teachers and students these first few days, I could see the enthusiasm and excitement. Meeting new friends and new teachers can be a bit scary, but the smiles on students’ faces were overwhelming. Our teachers are ready and eager. Let’s also remember, however, our children’s safety during drop off and pick up and in school zones. School buses are back on the roads, traffic is more congested and school zones are in use. School days are back, so let’s make this a safe school year for all.

Laurie Sallarulo,

CEO, Junior Achievement of South Florida. Here Comes the Bus (HCTB)! Thank you to Broward County Public Schools who will launch the HCTB mobile app and website this school year. HCTB delivers realtime school bus arrival and departure notifications to parents via mobile push and email notifications. Notifications are sent when the bus is nearby, eliminating the need for parents to stand outside waiting for a long time. Parents have peace of mind knowing their child is safe and will get on the right bus, at the right stop, at the right time. This app will allow BCPS to transport our precious cargo with greater safety and efficiency.