The Florida voter's guide to Election Day 2024
It may feel like there's a lot to consider before the general election, but the good news is you don't have to wait until Nov. 5 to start preparing.
rawpixel.com - stock.adobe.com
Election Day 2024 is quickly approaching and in addition to electing the Nation's next president, Floridians have several major state races and amendments to vote on in this year's ballot.
For starters, Florida voters will elect the next U.S. president, a U.S. senator, several U.S. representatives and countless other state and local officials. There are also six amendments for Sunshine State voters to consider, including ones on abortion and recreational marijuana.
It may feel like there's a lot to consider before the general election, but the good news is you don't have to wait until Nov. 5 to start preparing.
10 Tampa Bay has an all-inclusive guide to help you head to the polls with confidence — from how to vote early to which candidates are running and what Florida amendments will be on the ballot, we've got you covered.
How to vote Floridians have the option to vote by mail, vote early in person or vote at the polls on Nov. 5
Florida voters have three options to cast their ballots in the 2024 General Election.
1. Vote-by-mail
If you already requested a vote-by-mail ballot back in August for the primary election, you should already be getting one or already have one sent to you for the general election. If not, you have until 5 p.m. on Oct. 24 to request one.
Whether you mail it or drop it off at a local ballot intake station, your vote-by-mail ballot has to be received by the supervisor of elections office no later than 7 p.m. on Election Day to be counted.
Voting early is a great way to avoid long lines at the polling place, and it's already underway in all Tampa Bay-area counties.
Depending on the county, early voting is available until Nov. 2 or Nov. 3. You can check the specifics here.
The polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Election Day, Nov. 5. Bring a photo ID that has your signature and, if you'd like, a sample ballot with your notes.
You can request that sample ballot here.
To find your specific polling place, select your county on this voter precinct finder then enter your address.
Who is running? Here are your major candidate matchups
As mentioned above, several major elections are happening statewide and at the local level. Here are the biggest matchups we're monitoring.
- President of the United States: Vice President Kamala Harris (D) vs former President Donald Trump (R)
- U.S. Senator: Incumbent Sen. Rick Scott (R) vs Debbie Mucarsel-Powell (D)
- Hillsborough County State Attorney: Incumbent state attorney Suzy Lopez (R) vs ousted former state attorney Andrew Warren (D)
- U.S. Representative races:
- District 12: Incumbent Gus Bilirakis (R) vs Rock Aboujaoude Jr. (D)
- District 13: Incumbent Anna Paulina Luna (R) vs Whitney Fox (D)
- District 14: Robert "Rocky" Rochford (R) vs incumbent Kathy Castor (D)
- District 15: Incumbent Laurel Lee (R) vs Patricia "Pat" Kemp (D)
- District 17: Incumbent Greg Stube (R) vs Manny Lopez (D)
- District 18: Incumbent Scott Franklin (R) vs Andrea Kale (D)
- St. Petersburg City Council runoff
- District 3: Pete Boland vs Mike Harting
- District 7: Wengay Newton vs Corey Givens, Jr
Statewide ballot measures Here's what the 6 Florida amendments mean
Florida voters will need to weigh in on six constitutional amendments placed on the Nov. 5 ballot.
Two amendments are getting the most attention — Amendments 3 and 4. Amendment 3 would legalize recreational marijuana and Amendment 4 would limit the government's interference with abortion.
But there are four other amendments. Here's a brief look at each:
- Amendment 1: Partisan election of members of district school boards
- Amendment 2: Right to fish and hunt
- Amendment 3: Adult personal use of marijuana
- Amendment 4: Amendment to limit government interference with abortion
- Amendment 5: Annual adjustments to the value of certain homestead exemptions
- Amendment 6: Repeal of public campaign financing requirement
You can find more information and a full breakdown of the amendments by clicking or tapping here.