I live in Florida and want to vote in the November 6, 2018 election.
WHO IS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE IN FLORIDA?
CITIZENSHIP: You must be a citizen of the United States.
AGE: You must be 18 by Nov. 6, 2018. You can pre-register to vote at 16 years old but you have to wait until you’re 18 years old to vote.
RESIDENCE: You must be a resident of Florida and of the county where you will register. It doesn’t matter how long you’ve been a resident of your county in Florida, as long as you’re a resident now.
If you are eligible, register to vote!
HAVE YOU MOVED SINCE YOU LAST VOTED?
If you have moved, changed your name or party affiliation, don’t forget to update your voter registration with your new information.
If you've moved within your county, you can update your address by phone, in person or in writing with your county Supervisor of Elections.
If you've moved to a different Florida county or need to change your name or party affiliation, you will need to resubmit a completed Florida voter registration application to your new county Supervisor of Elections by Oct. 9, 2018.
Deadline to update voter registration for the November 6 election:
- By Mail - Oct 9, 2018
- Online - Oct 9, 2018
- In Person - Oct 9, 2018
Download printable version: FL Eligibility & Update Registration
HOW DO I REGISTER TO VOTE IN FLORIDA?
IN PERSON
You can register to vote in person at:
- Florida DMV.
- Public library.
- A voter registration agency.
- Local county Supervisor of Elections
- Armed forces recruiting office.
If you vote in person at any of these locations, remember to bring a completed Florida Voter Registration Application with you.
BY MAIL
You can request a mail-in ballot:
- Online by submitting an application on your county supervisor of elections' website.
- In writing (e.g., by email, fax) mail to supervisor of elections.
- In person at supervisor of elections.
- By phone to supervisor of elections.
Deadline: Registration must be turned in or postmarked by Oct. 9, 2018
DO I NEED AN ID TO REGISTER?
You will need to list a valid Florida driver’s license number or a Florida ID card number. If you do not have either of these types of ID, you will be asked to list the last four digits of your Social Security number.
If you do not have a Florida driver’s license, state ID or Social Security number, then you must affirm that on the voter registration form and attach a copy of another ID to your application. Find a list of other acceptable ID. Your Florida Voter Registration Application will also have a list of acceptable ID’s.
DID YOU VOTE IN THE LAST ELECTION?
IF NOT, CHECK TO SEE IF YOU ARE STILL REGISTERED.
And even if you've voted in the past, it's important to double check that you are still registered to vote.
Download printable version: FL How to Register
What is early voting?
Early voting allows registered voters to vote at any voting site in their county before the Nov. 6, 2018, election.
Who is allowed to vote during early voting?
All registered voters can vote during early voting.
Early voting takes place Oct. 27–Nov. 3, 2018
Also the county supervisor of elections may set up additional days of early voting on one or more of the following days: Oct. 22, 23, 24, 25, 26 and/or Nov. 4, 2018.
Where are the early voting locations and times?
Check with your local county Supervisor of Elections to find early voting locations and times.
Do I have to show an ID to vote early?
You will need to show ID to vote early and to vote on Election Day, Nov. 6, 2018. Be sure to bring a current and valid ID that includes your name, photograph and signature. This identification is required. Find a list of documents you can use.
Download printable version: FL Early Voting
Does Florida allow voting by mail?
Yes, all registered voters can vote by mail if they request a mail-in ballot. The request for the mail-in ballot must be received by your county supervisor of elections by 5 p.m. Oct. 31, 2018.
How do I request a mail-in ballot?
You can request a mail-in ballot:
- Online by submitting an application on your county supervisor of elections' website.
- In writing (e.g., by email, fax) mail to supervisor of elections.
- In person at supervisor of elections.
- By phone to supervisor of elections.
If you are making the request, the following information is needed:
- The name of the voter for whom the ballot is requested;
- The voter’s address;
- The voter’s date of birth; AND
- The voter’s signature (if the request is written)
If an immediate family member or legal guardian is requesting a vote-by-mail ballot for you, the following additional information must be provided:
- The requestor’s address;
- The requestor’s driver’s license number (if available);
- The requestor’s relationship to the voter; AND
- The requestor’s signature (if the request is written)
Who can pick up the vote-by-mail ballot?
A voter can pick up or have delivered his or her own vote-by-mail ballot at any time the ballot becomes available, including up to 7 p.m. on Election Day. A voter can also authorize in writing a designee to pick up the ballot for him or her but the earliest the designee can then pick up the ballot is five days before Election Day. A designee is limited to picking up two vote-by-mail ballots per elections (not including his or her own ballot and ballots for immediate family members. Additionally, a designee must submit a completed Affidavit to Pick-up a Vote-by-Mail Ballot for a Voter (DS-DE 37), which includes the written authorization from the Voter. If there is no request on record, the voter will also have to submit the request part of the Affidavit. Download form DS-DE 37.
If a voter or designee waits until Election Day to pick up or have delivered a vote-by-mail ballot, the Election Day Vote-by-Mail Ballot Delivery Affidavit (DS-DE 136) must also be completed in which the voter affirms that he or she has as an emergency that keeps the voter from being able to go his or her assigned polling place instead to vote. Download form DS-DE 136.
Do I have to show ID to vote by mail?
You need to include a copy of your ID with your mail-in ballot.
When do I need to return the mail-in ballot?
The mail-in ballot must be received by the supervisor of elections by 7 p.m. on Nov. 6, 2018.
How do I return the mail-in ballot?
The instructions for filling out and returning the mail-in ballot are included with the ballot.
If you decide to vote in person, you should bring the ballot you received by mail with you to your polling place.
Can I track my mail-in vote request and returned ballot?
Yes. You can track your request and returned ballot online.
Download printable version: FL Vote by Mail
LIST OF DOCUMENTS FOR VOTER REGISTRATION AND VOTING
A driver’s license or state ID is the preferred ID. If you don’t have a driver’s license or state ID, this is a list of documents you can show for voter registration and voting.
A copy of an ID that shows your name and photo, such as:
- A Florida driver’s license;
- A Florida state ID card issued by the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles
- A U.S. passport;
- A debit or credit card (with photo on it);
- A military ID;
- A student ID;
- A retirement center ID;
- A neighborhood association ID;
- A public assistance ID;
- Veteran health identification card issued by the United States Department of Veteran Affairs;
- License to carry a concealed weapon or firearm issued pursuant to s. 790.06; or
- Employee identification card issued by any branch, department, agency, or entity of the Federal Government, the state, a county, or a municipality
If the ID does not have a signature, you will be asked to provide another ID with your signature.
If you do not bring proper ID, you can still vote a provisional ballot. As long as you are eligible and voted in the proper precinct, your provisional ballot will count provided the signature on your provisional ballot matches the signature in your registration record.
Download printable version: FL List of Docs
KNOW YOUR RIGHTS: VOTER PROTECTION
Intimidation and harassment at your polling place
You have the right to be free from intimidation and harassment at your polling place. If someone tries to harass or intimidate you, you should call 1-866-687-8683 and report what happened. You should also tell your poll worker.
Voter Challenges
Voter challenges can be used to cause delays, uncertainty and intimidation. If someone challenges you, you can insist on your right to vote and ask for a copy of the challenge. You can also call 1-866-687-8683 and report what happened.
Video or photos of problems
You can use your cell phone to take a video or photos of any problems outside the polling place. This will document the problems for further action. But you cannot take any videos or photos inside of the polling place.
3 Tips to Follow Before Going to Vote
Be prepared before going to vote:
- Check the status of your registration. Make sure you are registered by October 9, 2018.
- Check to make sure you know your correct polling place. Your ballot might not be counted if you vote at the wrong place, so be sure you know exactly where to vote.
- Check you have the right ID. Make sure you have the right ID when you go to your polling place.
The best way to make sure you can vote on Election Day is to bring your ID with you when you vote.
Download printable version: FL Voter Protection
VOTING ON NOVEMBER 6
Where do I vote on Election Day, November 6?
You have to vote in the polling place that was listed on the voter registration card that you received after you registered.
If you don’t have your voter registration card, check your voting site. You can also call the Supervisor of Elections in your county.
What hours are the polls open?
The polling places are open from 7 am to 7 pm. If you’re in line at 7 pm, you will be able to vote.
Can I get voting materials in a language other than English?
13 Florida counties are specifically subject to Spanish language requirements including providing oral and written assistance and election-related materials such as instructions, forms, ballots and notices. Those counties are:
- Broward
- DeSoto
- Hardee
- Hendry
- Hillsborough
- Lee
- Miami-Dade
- Orange
- Osceola
- Palm Beach
- Pinellas
- Polk
- Seminole
You also have the right to bring an interpreter with you to the polling place or get help in your language from anyone you choose except for your employer, an agent of your employer or your union.
Additionally, Spanish assistance is available through the statewide voter assistance and voter hotlines.
Information is available on the Division of Elections’ website, including the translation of statewide-issued or-produced materials such as the voter registration application and the Florida Voter Registration and Voting Guide in Spanish.
Do I have to show ID?
Yes. You must show an ID with a photo and signature. If your ID doesn’t have a signature, you must show a second ID with a signature. Find a list of documents you can use.
What if I find out I’m at the wrong polling place?
You can ask the poll worker to help you find the polling place where you’re registered. You can also call the Supervisor of Elections for your county.
If you can’t travel to or find the polling place where you’re registered, you can vote a provisional ballot as a last resort.
What if my name isn’t on the list at the polling place?
You can ask the poll worker to double-check the list again to see if you’re at the right polling place. The poll worker can call the Supervisor of Elections to make sure you’re registered and in the correct precinct by looking at the statewide database.
If you find out you’re at the wrong polling place and you can’t travel to or find the polling place where you’re registered, you can vote a provisional ballot as a last resort.
Download printable version: FL Voting on Nov 6
