What you need to know about voting on Election Day in Florida

While Floridians can opt to vote by mail or in person during the early voting period, many still choose to vote in-person on Election Day. If that’s your plan, here’s what you need to know.

Voting in person on Election Day requires a bit of planning, but you’ll also probably get a nifty “I Voted” sticker!

Find your polling location

To vote in person, double check your polling location by visiting the Florida Department of State Website. Your location might be a local church, school, or other community building close to your registered address. 

Plan your transportation

If you need a ride to the polls on Election Day, be sure to check your public transportation options. Alternatively, there are multiple organizations willing to help. One option is RideShare2Vote, an organization that connects voters with drivers to coordinate transportation to the polls. Check out their website for details. 

How to vote

Get in line and stay in line—even if you’re still in line when the polls technically close. Unless you are a first-time voter, you should not need to show a photo ID with a signature to vote. If you do not have an ID with signature, you may be eligible to vote using a provisional ballot. 

The volunteer worker will hand you your ballot. Take this ballot into an empty voting booth and completely fill out each bubble with the pen provided, both front and back! You’ll then place your ballot into the provided privacy sleeve and head to the tabulation machine, where you’ll simply slide the ballot (not the sleeve) into a slot or other designated ballot return box. That’s it! When to vote

Polls open at 7 a.m. and close at 7 p.m. local time.

Again, if you are already in line when polls close, you have the right to vote. Stay in line. 

How to prepare

While everyone will select from the same presidential and statewide candidates on Election Day, every district’s ballot will also include local candidates. Do your research before arriving at the polls so you feel prepared to confidently cast your vote. Thankfully, ballot previews exist so voters know exactly what to expect when they arrive at the polls. 

To preview your personalized local ballot, head to BallotPedia and enter your information. If available, you’ll be able to access a sample ballot and carefully review each candidate or proposal well ahead of Election Day.

A few reminders

• If a poll workers says you’re not eligible to vote, but you believe you are, ask for a provisional ballot. Per the ACLU, all voters are entitled to a provisional ballot, which will require election officials to look into your voter eligibility status after Election Day and count your ballot if you are indeed qualified. 
• Wearing buttons, hats, shirts, or other garments advertising your preferred candidates is considered “electioneering,” along with discussing your voting preferences with fellow voters at the polling location. Just don’t do it. 
• There are no rules against bringing a child into the voting booth with you. Of course, make sure your child is quiet and respectful as others vote. 
• Don’t take a selfie with your ballot. While Florida voters may use their phones at polling places, ballot selfies aren’t allowed.
• If you make a mistake on your ballot, you can request a new one as long as you haven’t already submitted it. Simply tell the poll worker that you’d like a new ballot. They will “spoil” your first ballot by tearing it up and providing you with a new one. You cannot, however, request a new ballot once you’ve mailed in an absentee ballot or turned in your in-person ballot to be counted. 

Are you ready to vote? Make sure to check your voter registration status, see who’s on your ballot, and make a voting plan here.