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How to vote in Florida

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These guides are researched, written, and updated by Democracy Works, a non-partisan 501(c)(3) registered non-profit organization. The information in these guides originates from official state sources and is reviewed by state election offices. The guides also link to authoritative state and local resources to provide additional information.

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Registration Summary

Florida offers online voter registration. You can register by mail to vote in Florida by printing a voter registration form, filling it out, and mailing it to your local election office. You can also register to vote in person if you prefer.

Voting Summary

Florida allows any voter to request a ballot by mail. You can also vote in person. Florida offers early voting.

What key changes should voters know about?

Due to executive orders on October 3 and October 16, voters impacted by Hurricanes Helene and Milton in Charlotte, Citrus, Collier, Dixie, Glades, Hernando, Highlands, Hillsborough, Indian River, Lee, Levy, Madison, Manatee, Orange, Pasco, Pinellas, Polk, Sarasota, St. Lucie, and Taylor counties may have expanded vote-by-mail options for the Florida General Election on November 5. These voters may now request to have their vote-by-mail ballots sent to a different address from the one on their voter registration.

Voters must provide their FL driver license number, FL ID card, or the last 4 digits of their social security number when they request their ballot. Vote-by-mail ballots may be sent by forwardable mail to ensure voters receive them. Voters may also experience changes to polling locations.

Voters in Pinellas and Taylor counties may also have an extended early voting period.

Visit the Florida Division of Elections website or contact your local election office to learn more.

Registration Top Actions

Voting Top Actions

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Can I register to vote online?

  • Florida offers online voter registration.
  • To register online in Florida, you are required to provide the last four digits of your Social Security number and the issued date and ID number from your Florida driver license or Florida identification card issued by the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles. If you don’t have a Florida-issued ID or Social Security number, you can still submit a voter registration application by mail or in person.

How can I check the status of my mail ballot?

You can check the status of your ballot by visiting your local election office website.

Can I submit voter registration forms by mail?

You may submit a voter registration application by mail by filling out a form and mailing it to your local election office. In Florida, you can use the Florida voter registration form or the National Voter Registration Form.

  1. Print and fill out the National Voter Registration Form.
  2. Box 6 - ID Number: If you have one, you must provide your Florida driver's license number or Florida identification card number. If you do not have a Florida driver's license or identification card, you must provide the last four digits of your Social Security number. If you have not been issued any of these numbers, indicate NONE.
  3. Box 7 - Choice of Party: You are required to register with a party to participate in Florida partisan primary elections. You should register with the party whose primary you would like to vote in. If you choose not to register with a party, you may still vote in any nonpartisan races included on primary election ballots.
  4. Box 8 - Race or Ethnic Group: You are requested, but not required, to fill in this box.
  5. Review the "Who can register to vote?" section above and check that you're eligible.
  6. Sign the form.
  7. Send the completed form to your local election office
  8. If you are registering to vote for the first time in your jurisdiction and are mailing your registration application, Federal law requires you to show proof of identification the first time you vote. Proof of identification includes: current and valid photo identification or current utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck or government document that shows your name and address. More information here.


How do election officials keep voting secure?

Election officials in your state and community are working hard to ensure the integrity of our elections. All states have implemented security measures to protect the vote.

Visit the Florida Division of Elections website to learn more about election security. If you’re interested in getting involved with elections in your community, contact your local election office to learn about opportunities in your area.

Can I submit voter registration forms in person?

How can I check my voter registration status?

You can look up your voter registration record and verify that your information is correct using Florida's voter registration lookup tool.

Who can register to vote?

To register in Florida, you must:
  • be a citizen of the United States (a lawful permanent resident, commonly referred to as a "green card holder," does not have the right to register or vote in Florida)
  • be a legal resident of Florida and of the county in which you want to register
  • be at least 18 years old (you may pre-register to vote if you are at least 16 years old)
  • not be adjudicated mentally incapacitated with respect to voting in Florida or any other state without having the right to vote restored
  • not have been convicted of a felony without your voting rights having been restored

Can I register to vote on Election Day?

Florida does not offer registration on Election Day.

Can I register to vote before I turn 18?

You can register to vote in Florida before you turn 18 if you:
  • are at least 16 years old
  • are a citizen of the United States
  • are a Florida resident
  • have not been adjudicated mentally incapacitated with respect to voting in Florida or any other state, unless you have had the right to vote restored
  • have not been convicted of a felony, unless you have had your voting rights restored

You must be at least 18 years old to vote.

Can I submit a voter registration application online before I turn 18?

Yes, you can register online on the Florida Division of Elections website.
To register using the Florida online voter registration system, you are required to provide the last four digits of your Social Security number and the issued date and ID number from ONE of the following:
  • Florida driver license
  • Florida identification card issued by the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles

If you don’t have any of the above, you can still submit a voter registration application by mail or in person.

Can I submit a voter registration application by mail before I turn 18?

Yes, you can learn more about registering to vote by mail on the Florida Division of Elections website.
When submitting your application by mail in Florida, you are required to provide your current and valid Florida driver’s license number or Florida identification card number, if you have one. If you do not have a Florida driver’s license or state ID, you are required to include the last four digits of your Social Security number. If you have not been issued any of these numbers, check the box that indicates you do not have an ID number and include a copy of ONE of the following:
  • ID that shows your name and photo (includes US passport, debit or credit card, and student ID)
  • ID that shows your name and current residence address (includes bank statement, government check, paycheck, or other government document)

You can find a full list of acceptable forms of ID on the Florida statewide voter registration application.

Can I complete a voter registration application in person before I turn 18?

Yes, you can learn more about registering to vote in person on the Florida Division of Elections website.
You can complete a voter registration application in person at any of the following public agencies in Florida:
  • Florida driver license office
  • public libraries
  • any office that provides public assistance

You can find a full list of designated voter registration agencies on the Florida Division of Elections website.

How do I vote in person?

Where can I vote on Election Day?

You can look up where to vote on Florida's site.

Can I vote early?

  • Yes, Florida offers early voting. You can choose whether to vote on Election Day or during the early voting period, whichever is easier for you. This can be especially helpful if it would be difficult or not possible for you to vote on Election Day. Early voting locations may be less crowded, as well.

What do I need to bring?

You will be asked to show a valid photo ID with signature to vote in Florida.

Acceptable forms include:
  • Florida driver's license or ID card issued by the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles
  • US passport
  • debit or credit card
  • military ID
  • student ID
  • retirement center ID
  • neighborhood association ID
  • public assistance ID
  • veteran health ID issued by the US Department of Veterans Affairs
  • license to carry a concealed weapon or firearm
  • employee ID card issued by the federal government, the state of Florida, or any county or municipality

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

Voters without ID: If you are unable to provide ID, you will be able to vote a provisional ballot. Your ballot will count if the signature on your ballot matches the signature on your voter registration record.

How can I check the status of my ballot?

You can check the status of your ballot on Florida’s site.

Can I vote early?

Yes, Florida offers early voting.
  • You can choose whether to vote on Election Day or during the early voting period, whichever is easier for you. This can be especially helpful if it would be difficult or not possible for you to vote on Election Day. Early voting locations may be less crowded, as well.

      What do I need to bring?

      You will be asked to show a valid photo ID with signature to vote in Florida.

      Acceptable forms include:
      • Florida driver's license or ID card issued by the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles
      • US passport
      • debit or credit card
      • military ID
      • student ID
      • retirement center ID
      • neighborhood association ID
      • public assistance ID
      • veteran health ID issued by the US Department of Veterans Affairs
      • license to carry a concealed weapon or firearm
      • employee ID card issued by the federal government, the state of Florida, or any county or municipality

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

      Voters without ID: If you are unable to provide ID, you will be able to vote a provisional ballot. Your ballot will count if the signature on your ballot matches the signature on your voter registration record.

      How do I vote by mail?

      In Florida, any registered voter can request to get a ballot by mail. Submit a mail ballot request by mail, in person, or by phone to your local election office.

      What should I do if I don’t get my ballot?

      If you don’t receive your ballot in the mail, then contact your local election office.

      How do I return my ballot?

      What do I need to do if I’ve moved?

      What’s on your ballot depends on where you live, so your voter registration is tied to your exact address. If you’ve moved, you need to update your voter registration with your new address.

      How do I see what's on my ballot?

      View your sample ballot on the Florida Division of Elections's website. Available ballot information may vary depending on the upcoming election.

      How do I vote if I'm in the military or live overseas?

      Active-duty military, their families, and overseas citizens can register to vote and request their absentee ballot using the Federal Post Card Application (FPCA). The FPCA process is done by mail, but your state may offer other options to request and return ballots. Please contact your local Federal Voting Assistance Program (FVAP) election office for more information about delivery and return methods, including email, fax, and state online portals. To follow the FPCA process:
      1. Fill out the Federal Post Card Application (FPCA), or download a copy. Your local FVAP election office may have questions, so please provide an email address or phone number where they can reach you.
      2. Send the application to your local FVAP election office.
      3. It is never too early to submit an FPCA! Please do so as soon as possible.
      4. Please fill out and send back your ballot as soon as you receive it.
      5. States begin mailing absentee ballots at least 45 days before Election Day. If you haven't received your ballot by 30 days before Election Day, contact your local FVAP election office.
      If your ballot does not arrive after you submit your FPCA, contact your local FVAP election office first. Then:
      • You can still vote using the Federal Write-In Absentee Ballot (FWAB). Print, sign, and mail your FWAB to your local FVAP election office.
      • If you mail a FWAB and then receive your regular absentee ballot, you should complete and mail your absentee ballot also. Election officials will ensure that only one ballot is counted.
      The Federal Voting Assistance Program offers additional information on military and overseas voting in Florida. You can also call 1-800-438-VOTE (8683) or email vote@fvap.gov

      Which election office should I contact?

      • In Florida, your local election office runs the elections in your area. They can help you with questions about registering to vote, voting by mail, and local elections.
      • The Division of Elections oversees elections and election administration in Florida. They can help you with questions about voting in your state, election security, or issues you might have at the polls. If you have concerns about voter intimidation, reach out immediately.

      How do I contact my local election office?

      Visit your state’s site to find your local election office.

      How do I contact my state election office?