Voting is a fundamental right, and understanding the specifics of Election Day is crucial for every eligible Floridian. If you plan to vote in person on Election Day in Florida, it’s important to know the polling hours, where to vote, and what identification is required. This guide provides essential information to ensure your vote is counted.
Poll Hours on Election Day in Florida
Florida polls are open for voting on Election Day from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. local time. This means that regardless of where you are in Florida, whether in the Eastern or Central Time Zone, the voting hours are consistent within your local area. As long as you are in line by 7:00 p.m., you will be allowed to cast your ballot. It’s always a good idea to plan ahead and arrive with ample time before the closing time to avoid any unexpected delays.
Finding Your Polling Place in Florida
To vote on Election Day, you must go to your assigned precinct or polling location. Finding your designated polling place is a straightforward process. Florida offers a Voter Precinct Lookup webpage where you can easily find your specific location. Simply visit the Voter Precinct Lookup webpage and select the link corresponding to your county. This tool will provide you with the exact address of your polling location for Election Day.
Florida Voter ID Requirements
When you head to your polling place, remember to bring proper identification. Florida law requires all voters to present a current and valid photo ID with signature when voting in person, 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 Government, the state, a county, or a municipality.
Alt text: Registered voters in Florida diligently casting their ballots at a designated polling station during election hours.
If your photo ID lacks your signature, you will need to present an additional ID that includes your signature. However, even if you do not have the required photo ID, you still have the right to vote via a provisional ballot.
Provisional Ballots in Florida
If you are unable to present an acceptable photo ID at the polls, you will be offered a provisional ballot. Provisional ballots are also used when a voter’s eligibility is challenged for various reasons, such as if their registration is questioned, or if there’s a discrepancy regarding their precinct.
It’s important to understand that voting a provisional ballot does not mean your vote will automatically be discarded. To ensure your provisional ballot is counted, you must make sure you are indeed eligible to vote and that you voted in the correct precinct. Furthermore, the signature on your provisional ballot certificate must match the signature in your voter registration record.
After voting provisionally, you will receive a written Notice of Rights. This notice will explain your rights and detail the steps you can take to ensure your ballot is counted. You have until 5 PM local time on the second day following the election to provide further evidence of your eligibility. This may involve submitting a completed Provisional Ballot Cure Affidavit (Form DS-DE 210) to your Supervisor of Elections, along with the required identification. You can find the affidavit form in English PDF and Spanish PDF.
Alt text: Helpful election official assisting a Florida voter with the provisional ballot process at a polling location.
The local canvassing board will review provisional ballots. They will compare the signature on your provisional ballot certificate with your voter registration signature. If the signatures match and you are deemed eligible, your provisional ballot will be counted. You can check the status of your provisional ballot, typically within 30 days after the election, by following the instructions provided on your Notice of Rights.
For any further questions or if you need assistance, do not hesitate to contact your local Supervisor of Elections. Contact information can be found here.
Voting in Florida is a right and a responsibility. By being informed about the hours, locations, ID requirements, and provisional ballot procedures, you can confidently participate in the democratic process on Election Day.
