Voters will soon head to the polls, where they will decide the future of the country and their communities.
With so much at stake, from the next president to marijuana and abortion restrictions and your local representatives, here’s important information on where to go on Election Day and how to ensure you don’t miss any deadlines.
On Election Day, polls in Florida will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., local time. In-person voters will have to use the polling booth and cannot simply drop off their mail-in ballot.
Those unsure of where to go can verify their registration and voting status, as well as their polling place, on their county’s Supervisor of Elections website.
Find your polling place: – Click the link to find your polling place.
Indian River County: https://www.voteindianriver.com/Polling-Places/Polling-Locations
Martin County: https://www.voterfocus.com/VoterInformationLookup/voterSearch?county=MRT
Okeechobee County: https://www.voteokeechobee.gov/Election-Information/Find-Your-Precinct
Palm Beach County: https://www.votepalmbeach.gov/Voters/Precinct-Finder
St. Lucie County: https://www.slcelections.com/ELECTION-INFORMATION/Where-Do-I-Vote
Floridians can register or check their status at RegisterToVotFlorida.gov.
Key election deadlines
Voter registration: October 7
Mail-in ballot request: October 24, by 5 p.m.
Election Day: November 5
Early voting dates by county
Indian River, Martin, Okeechobee: October 21 – November 2
Palm Beach, St. Lucie: October 21 – November 3
What you need to vote
That’s what’s at stake for voters when they arrive at the polls. But there are a few things to remember before getting in line at your polling place. Here are some helpful reminders:
- Voting begins at 7 a.m., and polls close at 7 p.m. However, anyone in line before closing time will be allowed to cast their vote.
- You must show a photo ID with a signature.
- Florida driver’s license or Florida identification card issued by the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles:
1. U.S. passport
2. Debit or credit card
3. Military ID
4. Student ID
5. Retirement center ID
6. Neighborhood association ID
7. Public assistance ID
8. Veteran health ID issued by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs
9. Concealed weapon/firearm license issued pursuant to 790.06, F.S.
10. Employee ID issued by any branch, department, agency, or entity of the Federal Government, the state, a county, or a municipality
- If you do not have ID, you will need to cast a provisional ballot.
- If you requested a mail-in ballot but did not submit it, you may turn it in and receive a ballot at your polling place.
What to expect on Election Day
The Palm Beach County Supervisor of Elections Office also provides a step-by-step guide on what happens when you go to vote (from their guide):
Bring a current and valid ID with your photo and signature.
You may bring your sample ballot for reference.
Check in with a poll worker, who will ask for your photo and signature ID.
Receive your paper ballot and a privacy folder. *You may also request to vote using the accessible ExpressVote device for voters with disabilities.
Go to the voting booth and mark your ballot.
Review your ballot. If you made a mistake, ask for a new ballot. Otherwise, take your ballot to the scanning machine.
Insert your ballot into the optical scanner, one page at a time. A poll worker will stand by the machine to answer any questions and collect your privacy folder.
Once the scanner has accepted your ballot, your votes will have been cast, and no changes can be made.
Image: ElTiempo
