With Florida’s state primary election on Aug. 18, 2026, Amy Pennock, Supervisor of Elections for Seminole County, stresses the importance of making sure voters are registered by the July 20, 2026, deadline. Pennock said she and her team are working to register as many residents to vote as possible, but they are facing some challenges. “Trying to get ahead of the misinformation that is out there is really hard,” she said.

There are three ways to vote: early voting, by mail, and in person on Election Day. This Pulp City guide to Florida voting can help readers ensure they are properly registered to vote by their chosen method. Although Orange, Osceola, and Seminole counties are specifically mentioned, most information about state voting laws applies in all Florida counties. One big difference, though, is early voting times, so voters should check with their Supervisor of Elections office for those times.

Registering to Vote in Florida

To register to vote in Florida, voters must be U.S. citizens, Florida residents, at least 18 years old, and have their voting rights intact (previously adjudicated mentally incapacitated or convicted felons may need to check if their right to vote has been restored.) Registration may be completed online, in person, or by mail or drop-off. 

To register in person, voters can visit their local state or elections office, any office that issues a driver’s license or state identification card, or any government public assistance office specifically designated as a voter registration agency according to the Florida Department of State.

Changes to Driver’s License Number

Florida residents who have been issued a new Florida driver’s license number or Florida ID card number are encouraged to contact their Supervisor of Elections office to ensure their voter record contains the updated number. Pennock said, “Come in or go online and update your voter registration with us to make sure that we have your updated information.” Voters may call to confirm whether the information on file is current; however, it cannot be updated over the phone.

Registering by Mail or Drop-Off

Residents can register to vote by mail or drop off their voter registration application at the Supervisor of Elections office. To do this, voters must complete and submit the Florida Online Voter Registration Application. 

The statewide voter registration application form is available online to download or to prefill and print. Paper application forms may be found at any county Supervisor of Elections office, local library, or any entity authorized by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission to issue fishing, hunting, or trapping permits. 

Registration applications and any updates to voting records, including party affiliation changes and updated signature requests must be received by July 20, 2026.

Updating Your Signature on File

Pennock said voter signatures change over time. She says the Supervisor of Elections office needs to have as many signatures on file, “so we can verify your signature when you check in to vote or you vote by mail.” Without having an updated signature, voters will be given a provisional ballot. Provisional ballots are given to voters whose voter registration or ID cannot be confirmed at the polling location. Voters who are provided a provisional ballot must present evidence confirming their voter registration or ID no later than 5 p.m. on Aug. 19, 2026, the second day following the primary election. 

Updating Your Vote-by-mail Request

Vote-by-mail requests expire after each federal election cycle, meaning any vote-by-mail request expired on Dec. 31, 2024. Voters must submit a new request for a vote-by-mail ballot to be sent to their address. This is separate from the voter registration application. To request a vote-by-mail ballot, voters can submit their request online, call, fax, email, or drop off their completed form at their local Supervisor of Elections office. Requests must include the voter’s name, date of birth, address (a signed written request is required if the address listed is different than the address on file), signature (if the request is written), and either a Florida driver’s license, Florida ID card, or last four digits of the voter’s social security number.

Voters can also request a vote-by-mail ballot for someone else. The requester must be the voter’s immediate family member, legal guardian, or a designee for a voter with a disability. The person asking for the ballot for someone else should complete the vote-by-mail request and include the requester’s address, relationship to the voter, signature (if request is written), and either the requester’s driver’s license number, state ID card, or last four digits of their social security number. All requests for a vote-by-mail ballot must be received by the Supervisor of Elections office by 5 p.m. on Aug. 6, 2026. 

Early Voting

Early voting locations can be found on Orange, Osceola, and Seminole counties’ Supervisor of Elections websites. Orange County early voting times will be from Aug. 3 to Aug. 16 between 9 a.m. and 7 p.m. Osceola County early voting times will be from Aug. 7 to Aug. 19 between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. Seminole County early voting times will be from Aug. 8 to Aug. 15 between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. Voters will be required to show current and valid forms of identification at their early voting polling location. 

Dropping off Ballots

Voters who do not want to mail their completed ballot can drop it off on or before Election Day at the Supervisor of Elections office or during early voting days at any early voting location. Voters should be sure to check early voting schedules and locations because they vary. 

In-Person Voting on Election Day

Registered voters can go to their assigned polling place on Election Day to cast their ballot in person.

Voters can find their polling location on their voter information card, sample ballot, or by looking up their voter records online, according to Seminole County’s website. 

Florida Statutes state that voters must present a current and valid form of photo and signature identification at their polling location. Valid forms include a Florida driver’s license, Florida identification card, U.S. passport, debit or credit card, military identification, student identification, retirement center identification, neighborhood association identification, public assistance identification, veteran health identification card, a license to carry a concealed firearm, or any employee identification card issued by the federal government, the state, or a county or municipality.