Local 10 News Editorial: ‘Voting is your right and it’s your responsibility’

PEMBROKE PARK, Fla. – The general election to vote for the next president of the United States is on Nov. 5, and Florida’s voter registration deadline is Oct. 7.

When you register to vote or update your voter registration record, your Supervisor of Elections’ office will mail you a new or updated voter information card.

Related link: Voter information look-up database

Review the card to make sure all information is correct. Keep the card with you as the card lists important information about your registration record and where to vote.

Before the general election, Florida voters have two primaries, elections that political parties use to select the candidates or nominees, on March 19 and Aug. 20.

The registration deadline to vote in the Aug. 20 state primary is July 22. This applies to candidates for both the U.S. and Florida Congress.


VOTE 2024 GUIDE: FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

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Who can vote?

To be eligible to vote, the applicant for registration has to be a U.S. citizen, a legal resident, at least 18 years old, and not be mentally incapacitated, or a convicted felon without a restoration of rights.

A military member, a military family member, or an overseas citizen can register and request an absentee ballot with the online Federal Post Card Application.


Who can’t vote?

A felony conviction in Florida for murder or a sexual offense makes a person ineligible to vote unless the State Clemency Board restores the right to vote.


How do I know if I am registered to vote?

There is a database online to look up voter information.


Can this be done online?

The voter registration process can be done online. The application requires a Florida driver’s license or identification card, the date when it was issued, and the last four digits of the Social Security Number.


When can one pre-register to vote?

Florida allows 16-year-olds to pre-register, but they won’t be allowed to vote until they are 18 years old.


Are there any restrictions to vote in the primaries?

Florida is a closed primary election state, so only voters who are registered members of political parties may vote for their party’s candidates or nominees.

Independent voters may choose which party’s primary they want to vote in.


Who handles the process?

The Supervisor of Elections in the county of residence.


Can a register by mail and cast a ballot by mail?

Yes, if done on time and there is access to the forms online, a printer, and a post office. In Florida, all registered voters are allowed to register to vote or vote by mail.

To vote: U.S. military members, military family members, and overseas citizens can register and request absentee ballot with the Federal Post Card Application as soon as possible.

If done in Miami-Dade, visit this page. If done in Broward, visit this page. If done on Monroe, visit this page.

To register: Download the form to print, fill out, and mail.

Here are the mailing dates to remember if mailing the application to register to vote in Florida:

  • Applications for the March 19 presidential primary have to be postmarked by Feb. 20.
  • Applications for the Aug. 20 state primary have to be postmarked by July 22.
  • Applications for the Nov. 5 general election have to be postmarked by Oct. 7.

Here are the mailing addresses for Monroe, Broward, and Miami-Dade counties:

BROWARD

Broward County Elections Office

115 S. Andrews Ave., Room 102

Fort Lauderdale, Fla., 33301

MIAMI-DADE

Miami-Dade County Elections Office

Stephen P. Clark Center

111 NW First Street

Miami, Fla., 33128

MONROE

Monroe County Elections Office

530 Whitehead Street #101

Key West, Fla., 33040-6577


Useful links


Useful contacts

  • For more information from the Florida Division of Elections, call 1-866-308-6739 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday to Friday.
  • For more information in Broward, call 954-357-7050
  • For more information in Miami-Dade, call 305-499-8683
  • For more information in Monroe, call 305-292-3416

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