How to Vote
How to Vote
Check Your Voter Status
Not sure if you’re registered to vote, or not sure where you are registered to vote? Click here to check your voter status! The deadline to register for an upcoming election is 29 days before that election.
Where To Get Registered
Did you know that in Florida you can get registered to vote online? Click here to access our online voter registration system. You can also use this link to check your voter registration status, update your address, name, and party affiliation. If you live in Orange County and prefer to update your address by phone or in person, you can contact the local Supervisor of Elections here.
Remember, the deadline to register for an upcoming election is 29 days before that election. You can also update your registration record at any time. However, since Florida is a closed primary election state, a party change for a primary election must be made by the registration deadline for that election. If the deadline has passed, you can still submit an online application at any time and it will be processed for future elections.
When to Vote?
Great question. You can view Election dates in Orange County, including early voting dates, at this link. If you don’t live in Orange County, click here to visit the Supervisor of Elections website for your county. Remember that if you live within a city, you might have local elections in the Spring in addition to August and November.
How and Where To Vote?
There are three main ways to vote:
By Mail
If you do not want to go to an early voting site or to the polling place on Election Day, you may request a Vote By Mail (VBM) ballot. The Orange County Supervisor of Elections Office must receive your request for a vote-by-mail ballot no later than 5 p.m. ten days before the election. The vote-by-mail ballot packet will include instructions on how to mark your ballot, how to complete the required voter’s certificate, and how to properly return your ballot to the elections office. The deadline to return Voted ballots to the Elections Office is no later than 7:00 p.m. election night for it to be counted.
Request a Vote-by-Mail ballot in Orange County today:
- By Phone – Call 407-836-2070
- By Internet – Make your request online
- By Fax – Learn more here.
- By Mail – Learn more here.
- By Designee – Starting nine days before an election you can designate, in writing, someone to pick up your vote-by-mail ballot from our office. Your vote-by-mail ballot can then be picked up at our office up to the day before the election. Your written request must include the information listed above. The designee must show photo identification and may pick up ballots for no more than two non-family members. Click here to learn more.
During Early Voting
Early voting is another great option, especially if you prefer to cast your ballot in person before Election Day. In Florida, early voting begins 10 – 15 days before an election. Locations, dates, and hours of operation vary per county. Click here to learn more about Early Voting in Orange County and click here to learn more about Early Voting in your county. Remember, you can drop off your Vote By Mail ballot at Early Vote locations in Orange County, and at the Supervisor of Election’s Office. Please bring photo and signature identification too!
On Election Day
On Election Day you are required to vote in the polling place location assigned to the precinct where you live. You are also required to bring both photo and signature identification with you. You can view a list of acceptable forms of identification here.
Click here to find your polling location in Orange County. (Click here if not in Orange County)
If you need help in reading or marking your ballot, you may bring someone with you, or poll workers are available to assist. Language assistance and ADA-compliant voting equipment are available at all polling places.
Amendment 4
Amendment 4, as passed by Florida voters on November 8, 2018, restored the voting rights of Floridians with felony convictions who have completed all terms of their sentence, including parole or probation. Amendment 4 does not apply to those convicted of murder or sexual offenses; persons convicted of those crimes continue to be permanently barred from voting unless the Clemency Board, composed of the governor and cabinet, vote to restore their voting rights through a case-by-case process.
Unfortunately some lawmakers and the Governor have continued to restrict the implementation of Amendment 4, and the issue continues to be challenged in the courts. Learn more about Amendment 4 here. Seek support from Florida Rights Restoration Coalition here.
Redistricting
In Florida, congressional lines are drawn by the legislature, as normal legislation. State legislative lines are drawn by the legislature and passed as a joint resolution, which is not subject to gubernatorial veto. This is a process that takes place every ten years when new U.S. Census data is released. So what does this mean for you, the voter? Well, it means your State House, State Senate and Congressional District lines have changed. Click here to learn more.
Post Office Concerns
There has been an increase in Vote By Mail (VBM) ballot requests and concerns around the US Post Office’s ability to mail ballots back to the Supervisor of Elections’ Office in time. We encourage you to request your VBM early, return it immediately, and consider dropping it off at the Supervisor of Elections Office directly or at an Early Voting location. Once you mail or drop off your ballot, you can also track it online via your County Supervisor of Elections Office. Remember, if you are unable to mail or drop off your VBM in time, you can also exchange your VBM ballot for a regular ballot on Election Day at your designated polling location.
Have More Questions?
If our team can ever help answer election questions, please do not hesitate to contact us. You can reach Anna directly by email at anna@annaforflorida.com.