Navigating Election Day can be straightforward when you have the right information at your fingertips. For Florida voters, understanding polling hours and regulations is crucial for making your voice heard. If you’re wondering “what time is it in florida” in relation to voting, this guide provides essential details on Florida’s Election Day procedures, ensuring you’re well-prepared to cast your ballot.
Florida Polling Hours on Election Day
In Florida, Election Day polls are open for twelve hours, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. local time. This applies across the state, but it’s important to remember that Florida spans two time zones: Eastern and Central. Therefore, “what time is it in florida” for voting depends on whether your precinct is in the Eastern or Central Time Zone. Polls will be open from 7 AM to 7 PM in both time zones, local time.
If you are in line to vote at your designated polling location at 7:00 p.m. local time, you will still be allowed to cast your vote. No voter who is in line at closing time will be turned away, ensuring everyone who makes the effort to vote has the opportunity.
Finding Your Polling Place in Florida
To vote on Election Day, Florida requires you to vote at your assigned precinct or polling location. Knowing your specific location is key. To easily find your designated precinct, Florida offers a Voter Precinct Lookup tool. You can access this tool by visiting the webpage and selecting the link for your county. This will direct you to the precise location where you need to vote on Election Day.
Florida Voter Photo and Signature ID Requirements
When heading to your polling place, be sure to bring proper identification. Florida law mandates that voters present a current and valid photo ID that includes your signature when voting, whether during early voting or on Election Day. Acceptable forms of photo identification include:
- Florida driver’s license
- Florida identification card issued by the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles
- United States passport
- Debit or credit card
- Military identification
- Student identification
- 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, State, County, or Municipal government.
If your photo ID does not include your signature, you will need to provide an additional ID that does have your signature.
If you arrive at your polling place without the required photo ID, you are still entitled to vote via a provisional ballot.
Provisional Voting in Florida
Provisional ballots are available for voters who may face challenges at the polls. Reasons for a challenge can vary, including questions about voter eligibility, residency within the precinct, or if there’s a record of the voter already having voted. Despite a challenge, you have the right to cast a provisional ballot as per section 101.048, Florida Statutes.
If you are challenged because of an address issue but your new address is within the same precinct, you may still be able to vote a regular ballot. If your new address is in a different precinct, poll workers will guide you to the correct location. For further assistance, you can contact your county’s Supervisor of Elections; contact information is available here.
When you vote provisionally, you will receive a written Notice of Rights. This notice details how to ascertain if your provisional ballot was counted and, if not, the reasons why. You’ll typically be able to get this information within 30 days after the election. Furthermore, you have until 5 PM local time on the second day post-election to provide evidence of your eligibility for your provisional ballot to be counted.
The local canvassing board will verify your provisional ballot by comparing the signature on your ballot certificate with the signature in your voter registration record. A signature match, along with confirmed eligibility, ensures your provisional ballot is counted. If there is a missing or non-matching signature, the Supervisor of Elections office will attempt to contact you using your provided contact information to rectify the issue. You can submit a completed DS-DE 210 – Provisional Ballot Cure Affidavit (English PDF /Español PDF) with necessary identification to the Supervisor of Elections by 5 PM local time on the second day following the election to cure any defect.
In Conclusion
Knowing “what time is it in florida” for Election Day voting is just the starting point. Florida ensures accessible voting by setting poll hours from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. local time and providing resources to locate your polling place and understand ID requirements. Even if you face challenges, provisional ballots ensure your voice can still be heard. By being informed and prepared, you can confidently participate in Florida’s elections.
