FLORIDA, USA — Election Day is just around the corner, 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.
Many voters will be heading to the polls on Nov. 5, but there are also other options for those who wish to submit their ballot ahead of time.
If you're planning to mail in your vote, here are some important dates and deadlines to keep in mind.
What is the deadline to request a vote-by-mail ballot?
The deadline to request that a ballot be mailed is no later than 5 p.m. on the 12th day before the election. For the 2024 General Election, that day is Oct. 24.
A supervisor of elections must mail the ballot out within 2 business days after a request but no later than the 10th day before election day, according to the Florida Division of Elections' website.
More information on how to request your ballot can be found on our 10 Tampa Bay guide.
What is the deadline to return a vote-by-mail ballot?
Regardless of postmark, a returned voted ballot must be received by the supervisor of elections' office no later than 7 p.m. on Election Day.
A 10-day extension exists for overseas voters for general elections, provided the ballot is postmarked or dated by Election Day.
When does a request for vote-by-mail expire?
"A request to receive a vote-by-mail ballot covers all elections from the date a request was submitted through the end of the calendar year for the next ensuing regularly scheduled general election," the Florida Division of Elections stated.
You can alternatively ask to receive the ballot for specified elections within that period. A request must then be renewed thereafter if you wish to continue to receive a vote-by-mail ballot.
If a vote-by-mail ballot is returned undeliverable during any election, it will cancel a request on record. If you request a ballot thereafter, you will have to provide or confirm your current residential address before being able to get a ballot.
More information on Election Day 2024 can be found by heading to the 10 Tampa Bay Elections page.
