In celebration of National Voter Registration Day, we want to encourage you to register to vote!
What seems like a complicated process is not so difficult. Here is a breakdown of what you need to know.
What is the Election timeline for 2020?
There are two important primary elections in Florida that take place leading up to the General Election in November. The dates are as follows:
March 17, 2020 - The Presidential Preference Primary
August 18, 2020 - The Primary Election
November 3, 2020 - The General Election
What is the Presidential Preference Primary?
The 2020 Presidential Preference Primary Election (PPP) is on March 17, 2020.
The PPP is part of the nominating process for the United States presidential election. Florida’s Presidential Preference Primary is a closed-primary election. This means that in order to be eligible to vote in the primary, you must be registered with one of Florida’s major political parties.
However, local nonpartisan elections may be held at the same time as the PPP Election. In those elections, all eligible voters can vote for those local races. For further information, contact your county Supervisor of Elections.
When is the deadline to register to vote in the PPP?
The registration deadline for the 2020 PPP is February 18 by 11:59 p.m.
The deadline to register to participate in an upcoming election is 29 days before the election. Because of the Federal holiday on Feb. 17th, the deadline is extended to the next business day.
How do I register to vote?
There are a number of ways you can register to vote. Registering online at RegistertoVoteFlorida.gov is one of the easiest ways. By registering online, you can submit a new registration application immediately or update your existing record.
Other places to register include:
-A Florida driver license office
-A tax collector’s office that issues driver licenses or Florida identification cards
-The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicle’s online website for renewing a driver license or state identification card
-A voter registration agency such as a public assistance office or public library
-By mail or in person. The statewide voter registration application form is available for download (English PDF/ Español PDF). The form contains detailed information as to how to submit the form to your county Supervisor of Elections.
-For military or overseas U.S. citizens, you may register to vote and request a vote-by-mail ballot at the same time by using the Federal Post Card Application (FPCA). Go to the web page on Military and Overseas Voting for further details.
If you have problems registering online, the Voter Assistance Hotline can help:
Phone Number: 1-866-308-6739
Hours: Monday - Friday 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM (Eastern Time)
If you are hearing or speech impaired, contact the Division using the Florida Relay Service, 1.800.955.8771 (TDD) or 1.800.955-8770 (Voice).
How do I vote in the PPP?
Whether during early voting, vote-by-mail or election day voting, there are many ways your voice can be heard!
Early Voting: The early voting period must start at least on the 10th day before the election and end on the 3rd day before the election. Contact your local county Supervisor of Elections for local information on early voting.
Vote-by-Mail: The deadline to request that a vote-by-mail ballot be mailed is no later than 5 p.m. on the 10th day before the election. However, the ballot must still be received by the Supervisor of Elections no later than 7 p.m. on Election Day if the voted ballot is to count. Exceptions exist for overseas military and civilian voters.
A request for a vote-by-mail ballot may be made in one of the following ways:
- Online application on your county Supervisors of Elections' website
- In writing (e.g., by email, fax, mail) to Supervisor of Elections
- In person at Supervisor of Elections
- By telephone call to Supervisor of Elections
Election Day Voting: The polls are open on Election Day, from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m. Any voters waiting in line at 7:00 p.m. will have the opportunity to cast a ballot. If you do not know where your polling place is, contact your county Supervisor of Elections.
Whether during early voting or on Election Day, you will be asked to provide at the polls a valid photo ID with signature. Any one of the following photo IDs will be accepted:
- Florida identification card issued by the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles
- Retirement center identification
- Neighborhood association identification
- Public assistance identification
- Veteran health identification card issued by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs
- License to carry a concealed weapon or firearm issued pursuant to s. 790.06
- Employee identification card issued by any branch, department, agency, or entity of the Federal Government, the state, a county, or a municipality.
If your photo ID does not include your signature, you will be asked to provide another ID that has 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.
When is the Primary Election and General Election?
The Primary Election will be on August 18, 2020. The registration deadline to participate in the Primary Election is July 20, 2020.
The General Election will be on November 3, 2020. The registration deadline to participate in the General Election is October 5, 2020.
Note: Special elections may be called at any time during the year. Local elections may also be held throughout the year. Check the Local Elections Database which contain dates as reported by the county for elections (county-specific, municipal, special district, or other local election) scheduled within one county. Contact your county Supervisor of Elections for the most up-to-date information.