Early voting in Florida lets registered voters submit their ballots in person before Election Day at designated county offices and satellite sites. Voters can choose from multiple days and hours across their county, avoiding lines on Election Day.
Florida's early voting period runs for 11 days before each general election, typically beginning the second Monday before Election Day. For the 2024 general election, early voting began on October 16 and ended on November 1. This window applies to all statewide elections, including presidential, gubernatorial, and congressional races.
Voters must be registered at least 29 days before the election to participate in early voting. Registration can be completed online, by mail, or in person at a county supervisor of elections office. Once registered, voters receive a sample ballot and polling location details via mail or through the Florida Division of Elections website.
On early voting days, voters visit a designated early voting site-usually a county courthouse, library, or community center-present a valid photo ID, and cast their ballot in private. Ballots are processed immediately and counted alongside Election Day votes.
Each county operates its own early voting schedule. While the state sets the minimum 11-day window, counties may extend hours or add additional days based on local demand. For example, Miami-Dade County offered extended hours until 9 p.m. on weekdays during the 2024 cycle, while rural counties like Gadsden limited access to weekday mornings.
Ballots are scanned and stored securely. Voters can verify their choices using a ballot marking device, then print and submit their ballot into a secure drop box or hand it directly to election staff. No ballots are mailed unless requested under special circumstances.
To vote early in Florida, you must be a U.S. citizen, at least 18 years old by the next general election, and a resident of Florida for at least 30 days before the election. You must also be registered to vote in your county.
Valid photo IDs include a Florida driver's license, state-issued ID card, U.S. passport, military ID, or tribal ID. Non-photo IDs such as utility bills or bank statements do not meet the requirement. If you don't have a photo ID, you can apply for a free one at your county supervisor of elections office.
Florida law prohibits early voting on Sundays. Some counties offer limited weekend hours, but most early voting sites operate Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., with select locations open until 8 p.m. on certain evenings.
Florida offers three main types of early voting locations:
| Type | Location Examples | Hours | Accessibility Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| County Supervisor of Elections Office | Orange County Elections Center, Orlando | Mon-Fri, 9 a.m.-6 p.m. | Wheelchair ramps, audio ballots, language assistance |
| Satellite Early Voting Site | Public libraries, community centers | Varies by county; often Mon-Fri, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. | Same as above; some offer multilingual staff |
| Mobile Voting Unit | Transportable units for rural areas | Weekend-only in some regions | Designed for voters with disabilities; includes audio and tactile ballots |
Some counties, like Broward and Palm Beach, provide mobile voting units that travel to senior centers and disability service organizations. These units allow voters who cannot leave home to cast ballots in person without needing to request absentee ballots.
A non-obvious fact: Florida does not allow early voting on the Sunday before Election Day, even though many states do. This restriction stems from a 2017 court ruling that upheld the state's ban on Sunday early voting, citing concerns about voter fraud and coordination with religious services.
Many voters assume they can vote early in any county. This is false. Early voting is limited to your registered county. A voter registered in Leon County cannot vote early in Miami-Dade County, even if they live near the border.
Another common error is showing up without a photo ID. In 2022, nearly 1,200 Florida voters were turned away during early voting due to missing or expired IDs, according to a report by the Florida State University Institute for Public Policy.
Some voters also believe that early voting guarantees their ballot will be counted immediately. While ballots are processed within 24 hours, results are not released until after Election Day. Early voting ballots are tabulated separately from absentee ballots and are included in the official count only after all ballots are verified.
In the 2024 general election, over 4.3 million Floridians voted early-about 62% of all ballots cast. In Hillsborough County, 78,000 voters participated in early voting, with peak turnout on October 23, the sixth day of the early voting period.
One voter, Maria Lopez, a retired teacher from Tampa, arrived at her local early voting site on October 20. She brought her Florida driver's license and a printed copy of her voter registration. After confirming her eligibility, she used a ballot marking device to select candidates for president, U.S. Senate, and state legislature. Her ballot was printed, reviewed, and submitted into a secure ballot box. She received a confirmation receipt and left within 15 minutes.
Lopez said she chose early voting to avoid long lines on Election Day. "I've seen people wait two hours," she said. "This way, I can vote in peace and still go to my grandson's soccer game."
Check your registration status and find your nearest early voting site using the Florida Division of Elections' online portal. You can also call your county supervisor of elections office directly for updated hours and accessibility options.
If you're planning to vote early, confirm your registration is current. If you're not registered, you can sign up at a supervisor of elections office during early voting hours-but only if registration closes after the early voting start date.