TAMPA, Fla. — As mail-in ballots arrive in voters’ mailboxes and early voting gets underway across Florida, election officials and voter advocacy groups are encouraging residents to research their ballots before heading to the polls.
Florida operates under a closed primary system, meaning voters can only participate in their registered party’s primary elections. However, many ballots also include nonpartisan races, such as judicial elections, as well as constitutional amendments and local ballot questions on which all eligible voters may vote on.
Here is everything you need to know about voting in Florida
County-by-County Supervisor of Elections Quick Links
Because many of these races and ballot measures receive limited media attention, voter advocates say preparation is essential.
“It’s really important that you research the candidates on the ballot and you don’t just guess,” said Teresa Potter, co-president of the League of Women Voters. “You might accidentally vote for somebody that doesn’t have the same values that you have.”
One resource available to voters is the Spectrum News Voter Guide, which can be accessed through the Spectrum News app. By entering an address, voters can locate their polling place and review the candidates and ballot questions that will appear on their specific ballot before Election Day.
Early voting is now available at designated polling locations throughout the state for voters who prefer to cast their ballots in person ahead of Election Day.
Voters choosing to vote by mail should be aware of important deadlines.
Completed mail-in ballots must be returned to the local Supervisor of Elections office by Election Day, August 18.
Those who still need to request a vote-by-mail ballot can do so through their local Supervisor of Elections office until August 6.
Jason Lanning
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