What you need to know to vote in Florida’s 2024 elections

Whether you vote in person or by mail, here is the important information you need to know before you cast your ballot. 

As the 2024 elections near, here are some key date reminders before you exercise your right to vote in Florida:

• The Presidential primary is on Tuesday, March 19 
• The State primary is on Tuesday, Aug. 20
• The General election is on Tuesday, Nov. 5

In Florida, only voters who are registered members of a political party may vote for their respective party’s candidates in a primary election. And remember: Florida law does not allow voter registration on Election Day.

Voter registration

To use the state’s voter registration portal to register, check registration status, or update registration information, a Florida driver’s license or state-issued ID card is needed, as well as the issue date of their license or ID, and the last four digits of the voter’s Social Security number.

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If voters do not have any of the information above, they are required to print, sign and mail, or deliver their voter registration application to their county supervisor of elections.

To register in person, voters need to go to their county supervisor of elections office to pick up, drop off, or fill out a registration form. Forms are also available at public libraries and offices authorized by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.

Voting by mail

All registered voters can request a vote-by-mail ballot. No excuses need to be provided. You may check here for the deadline to request a vote-by-mail ballot. 

However, voters need to request vote-by-mail ballots for each calendar year. The request will cover all elections through the end of the calendar year for the next regularly scheduled general election. Once it expires, voters will need to request a new vote-by-mail ballot.

To request a vote-by-mail ballot:

• In person: Visit your county supervisor of elections for assistance in securing a vote-by-mail ballot.

• Online: Check your county supervisor of elections website for ballot request forms. 

• By phone: Call your county supervisor of elections and ask that a ballot be sent to you.
• By mail, fax or email: Send a letter, email, scanned attachment, or fax to your county supervisor of elections asking for a vote-by-mail ballot to be sent to you. 

Election officials must receive completed ballots by Election Day at 7 p.m. Ballots can be returned by mail or in person. Voters may use the state’s vote-by-mail information portal to track the status of their vote-by-mail ballot.

Deadlines for overseas and military voters can be found on the Florida Division of Elections’ website. Voters can designate an immediate family member to request a ballot on their behalf, providing the voter’s required information along with their name, address, relationship to voter, and driver’s license number.

Voters can also have a designee pick up their ballot if they complete a separate affidavit. Designees are limited to picking up two ballots for non-family members per election. There is an exception for people with disabilities.

Voting in person before Election Day 

All counties must let voters cast ballots early and in person beginning at least 10 days before an election. The mandatory early voting periods are Saturday, March 9 to Saturday, March 16 for the presidential preference primary and Saturday, Aug. 10 to Saturday, Aug. 17 for the regular primary.

When voting at the polls, whether voting on Election Day or at an early voting location, voters need to present a signed valid form of ID such as a current Florida driver’s license.

Some counties may offer additional early voting days. Check with your county supervisor of elections for exact times and locations closer to Election Day.

If an emergency prevents a voter from going to the polls on Election Day, they can sign an emergency affidavit and pick up a vote-by-mail ballot during the early voting period and on the day of the election.

Voting at the polls on Election Day

The polls are open from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m. on Election Day for both the presidential primary and the state primary. You’ll be allowed to cast a ballot after polls close as long as you were in line beforehand. Use the state’s voter information portal for more information and to find your assigned polling place.

For more specific instructions in your Florida county, you may contact your county supervisor of elections.

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