Can I get information from the voter registration records?
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Yes. In Florida, voter registration records are open to the public and may be examined, but not duplicated or sold commercially by anyone. When there are official requests for lists of registered voters, the Supervisor of Elections has 15 days to respond. These requests may only be made by government agencies, candidates, registered political committees, registered political committees of continuous existence, political parties, and incumbent officeholders.
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Note: No person who acquires such a list, shall use any information contained therein for purposes which are not related to elections, political or governmental activities, voter registration, or law enforcement.(see section 98.095 Florida Statutes)
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Where do I report election law violations?
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Report violations of either the National Voter Registration Act of 1993, the Help America Vote Act of 1993, the Help America Vote Act of 2002, or any irregularities or fraud involving voter registration, voting,candidates or issue petitions, or removal procedures under the Florida Election Code in writing to theDivision of Elections,Room 316, R.A. Gray Building, 500 S. Bronough Street, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-1050, 850-245-6200.Complaint forms are available on the Division of Elections website at: http://elections.dos.state.fl.us/voting/index.shtml
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(See sections 97.012(15), 97.023, 97.028, and 97.0575 Fla. Stat.; R1S-2.025, 1S-2.036, and R1S-2.038, R1S-2.042(8), Fla Admin. Code)
Report violations relating to campaign financing, candidates financing, candidates, committees, or other political activities under chapters 104 and 106, and sections 105.071, Florida Statutes, by sworn written complaint to theFlorida Elections Commission, Suite 224 Collins Buildings,107 West Gaines Street, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-1050, 850-922-4539.The Florida Elections Commission is not affiliated with the Department of State, Division of Elections.
(See section 106.25, Fla. Stat.)
All other violations should be reported to the local state attorney.
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How to Request an Vote By Mail (Absentee) Ballot?
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A voter, or, if directly instructed by the voter, a member of the voter's immediate family or the voter's legal guardian, may request an Vote By Mail (absentee) ballot from the Supervisor of Elections.The request must be made in person, by mail, by fax, by telephone, or online through the Supervisor of Elections' website. One request can serve as a request to receive a ballot in all elections occurring from the date of the initial request through the end of the calendar year following the second ensuing regularly scheduled general election.
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The person requesting an Vote By Mail (absentee) ballot must disclose:
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The name of the voter for whom the ballot is requested
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The voter's address
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The voter's date of birth
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The requester's name
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If the requestor is other than the voter, the following additional information must be provided:
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The requester's address
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The requester's driver license number, if available
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The requester's relationship to the voter; and,
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The requester's signature (written request only)
The deadline to request that an Vote By Mail (absentee) ballot be mailed to you is 5 p.m. on the sixth day before the election. Vote By Mail (Absentee) ballots will be mailed by non-forward able mail to the voter's current mailing address on file with the Supervisor or any other address specified by the voter in the request.If you ask that the Vote By Mail (absentee) ballot be mailed to an address other than an address on file ion the Florida Voter Registration System, you have to submit a signed written request unless you are an absent uniformed services voter or an overseas voter.
(See sections 101.62 and 101.69, Fla Stat.)
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When to Return Vote By Mail (Absentee) Ballots?
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Vote By Mail (absentee) ballots must be received by the Supervisor of Elections' office no later than 7 p.m. on the day of the election, except if you are an overseas voter voting in a presidential preference primary or general election, you have 10 extra days from Election Day in presidential preference primary elections and general elections.
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If I have requested an Vote By Mail (absentee) ballot, may I vote at my precinct on election day?
If you have obtained an Vote By Mail (absentee) ballot but are able to vote in your precinct on election day, you must take the ballot with you to the polls, whether or not it has been marked. However, if you are unable to return the Vote By Mail (absentee) ballot, you may vote a provision ballot at your polling place.
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What does it mean that Florida is a "closed primary" state?
Florida is a closed primary state. If you wish to vote in a partisan primary election, you must be a registered voter in the party for which the primary is being held. All registered voters, regardless of party affiliation, can vote on issues and nonpartisan candidates in a primary election.
This is why it is important to indicate your preferred party affiliation at the time you register. If you leave the field blank on the registration form, you will be registered without party affiliation.
There are 12 states in the United States which use a strictly closed primary election process: Delaware, Florida, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Wyoming. For more information concerning the law in Florida, please refer to section 97.055, Florida Statutes.
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May I vote in an election if I registered to vote only a few days before the election?
You may apply to register to vote any time by mail or in person. However, the registration books will be closed on the 29th day before each election and will remain closed until after that election. You must be registered for at least 29 days before you can vote in an election. When the registration books are closed for an election, voter registration and party changes are accepted, but only for the purpose of subsequent elections. The date your voter registration application is postmarked or hand delivered to the supervisor of elections is your registration date.
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I am a convicted felon and wish to have my voting rights restored, what do I do?
The US Department of Justice has a complete guide to the questions concerning restoration of felon's voting rights inFlorida. To see this guide, click HERE
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What is a Universal Primary Contest?
There are times when all registered voters can vote in a primary election, regardless of which major or minor political party they are registered or even if they are registered without a specific party affiliation. During these elections, the race is considered to be a Universal Primary Contest:
- If all the candidates for an office have the same party affiliation and the winner of the primary election will not face any opposition in the general election (i.e. no write-in candidates have qualified), then all registered voters can vote for any of the candidates for that office in the primary election.
When races for nonpartisan (i.e., free from party affiliation) judicial and school board offices, nonpartisan special districts or local referendum questions are on the primary election ballot, then all registered voters, including those without party affiliation are entitled to vote those races on the ballot.
During a general election, all registered voters receive the same ballot and may vote for any candidate or question on the ballot. If there are write-in candidates who have qualified for a particular office, a space will be left on the ballot where their name can be written.
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