How to vote in Florida
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- Voter registration deadline (online): 29 days before Election Day
- Voter registration deadline (by mail): Received by 29 days before Election Day
- Voter registration deadline (in person): 29 days before Election Day
- Ballot request deadline (online): N/A
- Ballot request deadline (by mail): Received by 10 days before Election Day
- Ballot request deadline (in person): 10 days before Election Day
- Ballot return deadline (by mail): Received by Election Day
- Ballot return deadline (in person): Received by Election Day
Florida voter registration guide
- Register to vote (online): 29 days before Election Day
- Register to vote (by mail): Received by 29 days before Election Day
- Register to vote (in person): 29 days before Election Day
- If you can't remember if you're registered to vote, or you want to make sure your information is correct, you can check your Florida registration using the Florida voter registration lookup site.
- If you're not registered to vote, or you need to update your voter registration information, follow the instructions below.
To register in Florida you must:
- be a citizen of the United States
- be a legal resident of both the State of Florida and of the county in which you seek to be registered
- be 18 years old by Election Day (you may pre-register if you are 16)
- not be adjudicated mentally incapacitated with respect to voting in Florida or any other State, or if you have, you must first have your voting rights restored
- not have been convicted of a sexual crime or murder (If you have been convicted of any other felony, you must have completed your sentence, including probation and parole, and paid any fines, fees, or restitution)
- swear or affirm the following: I will protect and defend the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of the State of Florida, that I am qualified to register as an elector under the Constitution and laws of the State of Florida, and that all information in this application is true.
You can register to vote online if you have a Florida driver license, driver permit, or nondriver ID card.
- Visit the Florida online voter registration site.
- Fill out all the required fields.
- You will be registered to vote as soon as you finish the workflow.
- You should receive your voter registration card in the mail within 2-3 weeks. If not, you might want to follow up with your local election office.
- The deadline to register to vote online is 29 days before Election Day.
- Download and fill out the National Voter Registration Form.
- Box 6 - ID Number: Provide your Florida driver’s license number or Florida identification card number. If you do not either of these numbers, provide the last 4 digits of your social security number. If you have not have any of these numbers, write the word “NONE” on the form.
- Box 7 - Choice of Party: You must register with a party if you want to take part in that party’s primary election, caucus, or convention.
- Box 8 - Race or Ethnic Group: This information is requested but not required.
- Print, date, and sign the form. If you do not have a printer, you can print the form out at any local library. If you do not have a stamp, you can buy one from any grocery store: just ask the cashier to sell you one.
- Mail your voter registration form to the mailing address below. For faster delivery, send the form directly to your local election office.
- Your voter registration form must be received by 29 days before Election Day.
- Contact your local election office to find where to register to vote in person.
- Bring your Florida driver's license or state ID card with you. If you don't have one, bring ONE photo ID that shows your name, and ONE document that shows your name and Florida address. Acceptable documents include a utility bill, bank statement, paycheck, residential lease, or any government document that shows your name and address.
Voting rights are automatically restored for most felonies upon completion of prison, parole, probation, and payment of all fines and fees. If you were convicted of murder or a sexual offense, you must apply for restoration through the Florida Clemency Board.
- You cannot vote while incarcerated.
- You cannot vote while on parole.
- You cannot vote while on probation.
- You cannot vote upon completion of your sentence.
- Financial obligations:
- parole fees
- probation fees
- court fees
- restitution fees
- Please visit Restore Your Vote for additional information.
Florida absentee and mail ballot guide
Absentee ballots and mail ballots are the same thing, and the process for getting one is straight forward.
- Request your ballot by the deadline
- Receive your in ballot in the mail
- Return your ballot by the deadline
- Earliest day to apply: January 1
- Request deadline (online): N/A
- Request deadline (by mail): Received by 10 days before Election Day
- Request deadline (in person): 10 days before Election Day
- Deadline to return your ballot (by mail): Received by Election Day
- Deadline to return your ballot (in person): Received by Election Day
Any registered Florida voter can request an absentee ballot and vote by mail.
Some cities or counties in Florida allow you to request your ballot online. Request your ballot with our tool to determine if yours does. If an online request portal is not available for your area, our tool will email you a ballot request form that you can print, sign, and mail.
- Download the Florida absentee ballot application.
- Fill out all of the required fields.
- Print the application.
- Sign and date your application. This is very important.
- Mail or hand-deliver your completed application directly to your local election office as soon as possible, but no later than the deadline.
- If it’s close to the deadline, call your local election office and see if they will let you submit your application via email or fax.
- Your application must be received by 10 days before Election Day.
- Visit your local election office.
- Ask the clerk to give you an absentee ballot application.
- Fill out all of the required fields.
- Sign and date your application.
- The deadline to apply in person is 10 days before Election Day.
- Carefully read and follow the instructions, and fill out all required fields.
- Sign and date the outside envelope.
- Mail or hand-deliver your ballot to your local election office. You can also hand-deliver your ballot to a drop box if one is available nearby. You can use our Find Out Where To Vote tool to find an official drop box.
- If you mail your ballot, it must be received by Election Day.
- If you hand-deliver your ballot, it must be received by Election Day.
- If you miss the deadline – or forget to sign the outside envelope – your vote will not be counted.
- ID required when requesting a mail-in ballot:
The signature on your absentee ballot application will be compared to the signature on your voter registration card to ensure they match.
- ID required when returning a mail-in ballot:
You must include a copy of a non-expired Florida driver's license, state ID card, U.S. passport, debit or credit card, military ID, student ID, retirement center ID, or any ID issued by the Federal Government. If you do not have a valid ID you can provide a coyp of a current utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck, or government document. Additionally, your signature on the return envelope will be compared to the signature on your voter registration card to ensure they match. If you forget to sign the return envelope, your ballot might be rejected.
Track your ballot here: Florida absentee ballot tracker
Ballot curing is the process of resolving any problems with your absentee or mail ballot to ensure that your vote is counted. After tracking your ballot, contact your local election office to fix any issues that have been noted.
- Your ballot will be rejected if you forget to sign it or if your signature does not match the signature the state has on file.
- Your local election office might contact you by mail, phone, text message, or e-mail to let you know.
- You must fix the issues by 5:00 pm on the 2nd day after Election Day for your vote to count.
Some states have special procedures that allow you to obtain an emergency ballot if a medical or other emergency occurs after the standard absentee ballot application window.
Emergency Ballot Rules
You can apply for an emergency absentee ballot if you are hospitalized within 9 days of Election Day. You must request an emergency ballot in writing. You can designate a friend or family member to drop off your application and pick up your ballot.
Dates & Deadlines
- Emergency ballot request ends Election Day
- Emergency ballot return deadline is Election Day
Contact your local election office
Florida early voting guide
- Early voting starts: 10 days before Election Day
- Early voting ends: 3 days before Election Day
You must show a non-expired photo ID that shows your name and signature. Acceptable IDs include a photo ID issued by the State of Florida or the Federal Government, a debit or credit card, a concealed weapon permit, a neighborhood association ID, or a student ID issued by any accredited college or university. If your student ID does not include an expiration date, your county clerk will decide if it is valid or not. If your photo ID does not include your signature, you must bring another ID that does show your signature.
Florida voter ID guide
You must show a non-expired photo ID that shows your name and signature. Acceptable IDs include a photo ID issued by the State of Florida or the Federal Government, a debit or credit card, a concealed weapon permit, a neighborhood association ID, or a student ID issued by any accredited college or university. If your student ID does not include an expiration date, your county clerk will decide if it is valid or not. If your photo ID does not include your signature, you must bring another ID that does show your signature.
The signature on your absentee ballot application will be compared to the signature on your voter registration card to ensure they match.
You must include a copy of a non-expired Florida driver's license, state ID card, U.S. passport, debit or credit card, military ID, student ID, retirement center ID, or any ID issued by the Federal Government. If you do not have a valid ID you can provide a coyp of a current utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck, or government document. Additionally, your signature on the return envelope will be compared to the signature on your voter registration card to ensure they match. If you forget to sign the return envelope, your ballot might be rejected.
You can register to vote online if you have a Florida driver license, driver permit, or nondriver ID card.
Local election office
Contact your local election office if you have questions.
Statewide election office
This is the statewide agency that is ultimately responsible for Florida elections. You can contact them with questions, but your local election office will probably respond faster.
State of Florida Department of State Division of Elections The R.A. Gray Building 500 South Bronough St, Rm 316 Tallahassee, FL 32399‐0250