ISSUE 1.105
Voting in Florida
The TaxWatch Take
Registration
To register to vote in Florida, an individual must meet the following qualifications:
Voting is the most direct way
be a U.S. citizen; be a Florida resident; be at least 18 years old (although one may
for citizens to have a say in their
pre-register at 16 years old); not have been adjudicated mentally incapacitated;
government. Early voting and the
and not have been convicted of a felony. To register, a resident may print, request,
multiple other options that voters
or pick up a Voter Registration Application at their respective county Supervisor
have to cast their ballot without
of Elections office. They may also go to any driver’s license or tax collector office,
having to be present on election
military recruitment office, or any agency that offers public assistance.
day provide each citizen with the
ability to make their voice heard
Primary Voting
in every election.
Florida is a closed primary state. Only voters who are registered as members of a
Florida TaxWatch encourages
every citizen to become educated
on the issues that are important to
them, and to get involved in the
political process by volunteering
for a campaign, or helping
register people to vote, or simply
encouraging friends and family to
vote.
American citizens have the right
to elect their leaders, and it is vital
that we all exercise that right.
specific party can vote for the respective party’s candidates in a primary election.
Voters without any party affiliation or registered as independent are ineligible to
participate in the primary election process. There are two instances in which all
registered voters can vote in a primary election, regardless of their party affiliation:
1) if all candidates for an office have the same party affiliation and the winner
of the primary will not face opposition in the general election, or 2) if races for
nonpartisan judicial and school board offices, questions on nonpartisan special
districts, or local referendums are on the primary election ballot.
Ways to Vote
Once registered, a Florida resident may vote in one of the three following ways:
Vote-by-Mail refers to voting on an absentee ballot requested or picked up by
or for a voter who is unable or unwilling to go to the polls to vote during Early
Voting or on Election Day. The ballot may be requested from the Supervisor
of Elections either online, in writing, in person, or by telephone. A voter may
later choose to participate in Election Day, even if they have already received
the ballot, as long as they can confirm that the ballot has not been returned to
the Supervisor of Elections. To make the request, the voter will need to provide
their name, address, date of birth, and signature.
Voting in Florida
Special accommodations are arranged for United States
On Election Day, the polls are open to all eligible and
uniformed services members on active duty, Merchant
registered voters from 7am to 7pm. All those standing in
Marines members, spouses and dependents thereof,
line by 7pm will still be allowed to vote. Voters are asked
and citizens residing outside the United States. These
to provide a valid photo ID with a signature. Those who
members may request an absentee ballot using a Federal
do not bring a proper ID can still vote using a provisional
Post Card Application found online or through their
ballot, given that the signature on the ballot matches
respective county Supervisor of Elections office. The
their registration record.
ballot is valid for all elections through the end of the
Furthermore, voting assistance is provided to individuals
calendar year.
with disabilities in four ways: personal help at the polls,
Early Voting is defined as casting a ballot in person
accessible marking devices, absentee ballots, or supervised
prior to Election Day, at a location designated by the
voting at an assisted living or nursing home facility. The
Supervisor of Elections, and depositing the ballot in the
voter is not required to disclose the nature or extent of their
tabulation system. Citizens may vote starting on the 10th
disability and may be accompanied by anyone, except an
day until the 3rd day before Election Day. Early voters
employer or union agency, at the polls. In addition, the U.S.
use the same type of voting equipment and have the
Department of Health and Human Services’ Vote program
same identification requirements as Election Day voting.
gives grants to counties to make polling places more
accessible to people with disabilities.
For more information, visit:
Florida Division of Elections - dos.myflorida.com/elections
or your local supervisor of elections office.
ABOUT THE TAXWATCH CENTER FOR FLORIDA CITIZENSHIP
GENEROUSLY SPONSORED BY
The TaxWatch Center for Florida Citizenship works to educate citizens on the policies
and operations of their state and local governments, in order to encourage an informed
electorate capable of effectively holding those elected to positions of power accountable.
The Center also operates the Florida Citizenship Institute, an applied learning program
that prepares participants to understand how government action impacts their business.
ABOUT FLORIDA TAXWATCH
As an independent, nonpartisan, nonprofit taxpayer research institute and government
watchdog, it is the mission of Florida TaxWatch to provide the citizens of Florida and
public officials with high quality, independent research and analysis of issues related to
state and local government taxation, expenditures, policies, and programs.
Florida TaxWatch is supported by voluntary, tax-deductible donations and private grants,
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www.floridataxwatch.org
106 N. Bronough St., Tallahassee, FL 32301
o: 850.222.5052
f: 850.222.7476
UPDATED: February 2016
Copyright © February 2016, Florida TaxWatch Research Institute, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
FLORIDA TAXWATCH LEADERSHIP
Michelle Robinson TaxWatch Chairman
Gov. Bob Martinez Center Chairman
Sec. Mike Sole
Center Vice Chairman
Dominic M. Calabro
President & CEO
Robert Weissert, Esq.
Exec. VP & Counsel to the President & CEO
AUTHOR:
Debbie Alfred
Senator Ken Plante Memorial Intern
(Sponsored by AT&T)