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Each county across the state will have dozens of different ballots for individual races, but as Mike Vasilinda tells us, all of them will have something in common: a long and confusing ballot.

Over the next week, thousands of early voters will cast their ballots. A study by political scientist Susan McManus  suggests voters will find parts of the ballot confusing. Early voter Linda Morris say she often skips items she doesn’t understand.

“It doesn’t give enough information for you to make a sound judgement on them,” Morris said.

Not only are there six constitutional amendments, but voters must also decide whether to keep a slew of Supreme Court and appellate court judges. Political consultant Screven Watson says voters who often skip judicial races, may not this year.

“Usually it’s hard to keep people around and attentive when they get down to those lower issues like the constitutional amendments and the retentions,” Watson said. “So, if I were the judge candidates, I would be nervous at this point that they just may go through there and say no, no, no, no.”

To make voting easier, you can download a sample ballot from your supervisor of elections, fill it out and then carry it into the polling place with you. The League of Women voters also offers a non partisan explanation of the amendments.

That’s how early voter Ann Peery got prepared.

“You know, you forget what you might have read, pro and con, in the moment, so I think it’s important to bring a sample ballot in,” Peery said.

The bottom line: being prepared on election day or before will make the job of voting smoother.

You can get a sample ballot from the Supervisor of Elections’ website or from the League of Women Voters at www.lwvfla.org.