Posted on May 19, 2008
Please take a few minutes to read the following about voting in Florida. It should answer your questions about voter registration, election dates, and the availability of absentee ballots. If you would like any additional information, please call your Supervisor of Elections office. We encourage you to participate in the process of deciding issues and electing our federal, state and local officials.
Absentee Ballots
The
Supervisor of Elections may accept a request for an absentee ballot in person or in writing. Contact the office of your
Supervisor of Elections to request an absentee ballot by mail no later than 5 p.m. on the sixth day before the election. When requesting an absentee ballot, whether by phone or by letter, you must provide your name, residence address, date of birth, driver’s license number (if available) and signature, if it is a written request. Your request for an absentee ballot may be denied if you do not provide the required information. Specify the election(s) for which you wish to receive an absentee ballot and provide a mailing address. Check with your elections office if you need more information.
Book Closing Dates
You can apply to register to vote at any time. However, to vote in an election, you must be registered in the state by the book closing date, which is normally the 29th day before each election. The book closing dates for the 2008 election cycle are:
Presidential Preference Primary : December 31, 2007
Primary Election ………………………… July 28, 2008
General Election ………………………… October 6, 2008
Election Dates
A General Election is held in November of every even-numbered year. The Primary Election, which precedes each November General Election, is 10 weeks before the General Election. Additionally, a Presidential Preference Primary is scheduled in January of Presidential election years. Special elections may be called at any time during the year.
(See election dates for the year 2008.)
Florida Voter Registration Act
A description of Florida’s implementation of the National Voter Registration Act, better known as “
Motor Voter“, which provides for changes in voter registration procedures.
Party Affiliation
Since Florida is a closed primary state, only voters who are registered members of the two major political parties (Republicans and Democrats) may vote for their respective party’s candidates in a primary election. Registered minor political party voters and voters without party affiliation are not eligible to vote for major party candidates in a primary election. However, a constitutional amendment adopted in 1998 states that IF all candidates for an office have the same
party affiliation and the winner will have no opposition in the general election, all qualified voters, regardless of party affiliation, may vote in the primary election for that office. (See art. VI, s.5 of the
Florida Constitution). Party changes must be made by the end of the 29th day before the Primary Election.
Poll Workers
Poll workers are needed for every election. If you would like to become a poll worker, please call your
Supervisor of Elections office.
Residence Address
If you move within a county after you have registered to vote, please notify your
Supervisor of Elections. You may provide a signed, written notice to your supervisor, call your supervisor, or send an email. If you call or send an email, you must also include your date of birth with your change of address. If you move to another Florida county, use the
Florida Voter Registration Application to change your address, and mail the application to your
Supervisor of Elections. Federal and State laws require you to vote in your precinct of residence.
Statistical Roadmap
View a
statistical roadmap of Florida voter registration, background information and voter registration in past elections.
ATTENTION: In August 2006, a federal court issued an injunction against the enforcement of the Third-Party Voter Organization law. Federal Court Order: League of Women Voters of Florida et al. v. Cobb, US Southern District Court of Florida. An appeal of that injunction before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit was recently dismissed because the 2005 version of the law as challenged was superseded by a 2007 version, effective January 2008, thus rendering the challenge moot.
However, the preliminary injunction and a joint stipulation between the parties not to enforce or otherwise challenge the constitutionality of the 2007 Third-Party Voter Registration Organization law remain in effect. Therefore, pending further official notice to the contrary, third-party voter registration activities conducted by organizations, entities, or individuals are not subject to the Third-Party Voter Registration Organization law.
Voter Registration Changes
Helpful Hints
Make sure all information on your voter information card is correct.
If you do not know the location of your polling place, call the office of your Supervisor of Elections for directions BEFORE election day.
Take your Florida Driver’s License (or another form of picture identification showing your signature) to the polls.
On Election Day, the polls are open from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. and are normally less busy during mid-morning and mid-afternoon.
Early Voting will be available for voting prior to Election Day. Contact your Supervisor of Elections to obtain additional information on times and locations.
