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MIAMI — For Hector Castillo, Sunday’s early voting was about more than casting a ballot. It was his first time voting as a U.S. citizen.
“Wow. Amazing. Amazing,” Castillo said.
Castillo, 33, is from Venezuela and is now a U.S. citizen. Standing at the polls, he said the moment felt special because he knew his vote counted.
“Super special for me. I am feeling my vote is counting,” he said.
Castillo was one of many voters taking advantage of early voting across Broward and Miami-Dade counties Sunday.
The Davie Cooper City Branch Library was one of 21 early voting locations across Broward. Hundreds of people showed up throughout the day to make their voices heard in the primary elections.
Premi Sterlin, 20, of Hollywood, brought her family with her to vote early.
“I got out here and voted early, I brought my family with me,” Sterlin said. “Bring your friends, bring your people, just get out here and vote. You don’t gotta worry about it getting too packed on actual voter day, you can come out early, they gave us a good week.”
As voters arrived, they were met by crowds of campaign volunteers making their final push to sway their votes.
Sterlin said she had not had many problems, but the number of volunteers calling out to voters was a little intimidating.
“I haven’t had many problems with anything,” she said. “I am a little intimidated by the amount of people screaming at me when I got out of the car though, telling me who to vote for. I think one thing we could do is clean that up.”
Still, for voters like Castillo, the day was about gratitude and appreciation for the opportunity to participate in American democracy.
“That’s my feeling. Believe me, I am enjoying this time, I don’t have words to make you feel what I’m feeling,” he said.
“I’m emotional just hearing this.”
“Yeah, yeah. Yeah. For me it’s amazing. That’s why I’m using the sticker with pride.”
Copyright 2026 by WPLG Local10.com – All rights reserved.
Byron Tollefson joined Local 10 News as a reporter in July 2025.
First-time voters cast ballots in South Florida primary – WPLG Local 10
