ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — People who need to register to vote in Florida can easily do so online, but be warned: There are a couple of deadlines on the calendar.
In 2024, the primary election will be held on Aug. 20 while the general election is on Nov. 5. Primary elections are meant to select candidates who will appear on the November general election ballot.
Voters must register or change their party affiliation for the upcoming primary election by July 22. Because Florida is a closed primary state, voters affiliated with the Republican Party cannot vote for candidates on the Democratic ticket — and vice versa.
The deadline to register to vote in the general election in Florida is Oct. 7.
There are multiple ways to vote, and this guide will help to break down those methods:
In-person on Election Day or early voting
People who wish to vote in the general election must be registered to vote no later than 29 days before Election Day — Monday, Oct. 7.
Polls are open on Election Day from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. in Florida, and any voters in line at 7 p.m. will still be able to vote.
Early in-person voting will be held from Oct. 26 to Nov. 2. Each county Supervisor of Elections designates early voting sites.
Absentee voting and mail-in ballots
Getting a mail-in or absentee ballot is available in Florida to all citizens who request it by the deadline.
Florida citizens who are eligible to vote can request a mail-in ballot in person, by mail, email, fax or by phone from the county's Supervisor of Elections. The following information is required:
- Your name
- Your address
- Your date of birth
- A Florida driver's license, identification card or the last four digits of your social security number, whichever may be verified
- Your signature (written requests only)
The last day to request a vote-by-mail ballot is 12 days before the election.
Ballots are mailed to citizens approximately five weeks before each election or seven days after the county election office receives an application.
The mail-in or absentee ballot must be mailed or delivered to the local Supervisor of Elections's office no later than 7 p.m. on the day of the election. Those who opt to use mail-in ballots can also be brought to early voting locations during business hours.
If you request a mail-in ballot and then choose to vote in person, you can trade the mail-in for an in-person ballot at any voting location during early voting or Election Day.
Once you submit your ballot, it can be tracked here.
