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Tampa Bay, FL
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How to Vote in Florida’s 2024 Elections

Posted on 08/26/24 by Michelle Tuccitto Sullo

En español

Important dates and election information

AARP election buttons final

  • Last day to register to vote: Monday, Oct. 7
  • Deadline to return a vote-by-mail ballot: Tuesday, Nov. 5
  • Last day of early voting: Saturday, Nov. 2 
  • Election Day: Tuesday, Nov. 5

Voting at a glance

  • Voter registration: Check your registration status using the state’s voter information tool.
  • By-mail voting: All registered voters can request a no-excuse vote-by-mail ballot. 
  • Early voting: Counties must open early in-person voting at least 10 days before Election Day, though some may open earlier. 
  • Voting at the polls: Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Bring a valid form of ID with a signature, such as a current Florida driver’s license, on Election Day or to an early voting location. 

Recent voting changes in Florida

  • Voters who had a standing vote-by-mail ballot request will no longer get those automatically. If you want a vote-by-mail ballot, you must submit a new request each election cycle.
  • Redistricting in 2022 may affect which candidates appear on your ballot. Litigation over the state’s congressional districts is ongoing. Check back for updates.

How to register to vote

Register by mail, in person or online. Voters must be registered by Monday, Oct. 7.

  • Online: Use the state’s voter registration portal to register, check your registration status or update your registration information. You’ll need a Florida driver’s license or state-issued ID card, the issue date of your license or ID, and the last four digits of your Social Security number. If you do not have that information, you may still use the online system to prefill a voter registration application form. However, you will have to print, sign and mail or deliver your voter registration application to your county supervisor of elections.
  • In person: Go to your 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 to issue fishing, hunting or trapping permits.

Registering to vote on Election Day

Florida law does not allow registration on Election Day.

Check your voter registration status 

Use the state’s voter information tool to check your registration status.

How to request a vote-by-mail ballot 

Any registered voter can request a no-excuse vote-by-mail ballot. You’ll need to submit a new request each year. The deadline to request that a ballot be mailed is Thursday, Oct. 24, for the general election.

Early Voting Begins In Florida
A voter heads to a polling station in St. Petersburg, Florida.
Joe Raedle/Getty Images

When making your request, include your full name, address, date of birth and a copy of your Florida driver’s license or state-issued ID card — or the last four digits of your Social Security number. Written requests must include your signature.

  • By mail, fax or email: Send a letter, email, scanned attachment or fax to your county supervisor of elections asking that a vote-by-mail ballot be sent to you. 
  • In person: Visit your county supervisor of elections office for assistance in securing a vote-by-mail ballot. The deadline to pick up a vote-by-mail ballot in person is 7 p.m. on Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 5.

Find deadlines for overseas and military voters on the elections website.

You can designate an immediate family member — such as a spouse, parent or child — to request a ballot on your behalf. They’ll need to provide your information along with their name, address, relationship to you and driver’s license number.

You may also have a designee pick up your ballot if they complete a separate affidavit. Designees are limited to collecting two ballots for non-family members per election, though there is an exception for those picking up ballots for voters with disabilities.

If an emergency prevents you from going to the polls on Election Day, you 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.

Returning a vote-by-mail ballot

Election officials must receive completed ballots by Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 5, at 7 p.m. Ballots can be returned by mail or in person.

  • By mail: Follow the instructions included with your voting materials to complete and mail your ballot. Leave at least a week for your ballot to make it through the mail.

Use the state’s vote-by-mail information portal to track the status of your vote-by-mail ballot.

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 period is Saturday, Oct. 26 to Saturday, Nov. 2, for the general election.

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

Voting at the polls on Election Day

The polls are open from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m. for the general election. You'll be allowed to cast a ballot after polls close as long as you were in line beforehand. For details, use the state's voter information portal and find your assigned polling place.

Check your local county elections office for sample ballots.

Voter ID requirements on Election Day 

You will need to bring a current and valid form of ID such as a state-issued driver’s license, military ID or a U.S. passport, whether you’re voting on Election Day or at an early voting location.

If your photo ID does not include your signature, you will be asked to provide another ID that includes your signature.

If you do not bring proper ID, you can 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.

Voting with a disability

At least one accessible voting system is available in each polling place during early voting and on Election Day.

Voters with disabilities may receive help while voting, as long as that assistance does not come from an employer, an employer’s agent or a union official.

Voters with disabilities may also get an accessible vote-by-mail ballot. Visit the Florida Division of Elections website for more information.

Voting from a nursing home or long-term care facility

For residents of assisted living facilities and nursing homes, a team from the supervisor of elections’ office can deliver ballots and supervise voting on-site at the request of their health facility’s administrator.


Editor’s note: This guide was originally published on Jan. 29, 2024, and has been updated with new information about voting in the 2024 elections.

Michelle Tuccitto Sullo is a states writer and editor for AARP. She previously served as managing editor of the Hartford Business Journal in Connecticut and has also worked for the New Haven Register, the Connecticut Law Tribune and New Haven Biz.

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