Voters around Northeast Florida will soon have their chance to cast an early, in-person ballot ahead of the state’s primary election set for Tuesday, August 18, for congressional, state, and local races.
Counties are required to offer early voting Aug. 8-15 but can offer additional days before and after that window (see the schedule by county below). Some counties will offer an additional day of early voting on Sunday, August 16.
Voters can also vote by mail, if they request a mail-in ballot by 5 p.m. on Thursday, August 6.
Florida is a closed primary state, meaning that in most cases, you must already be registered with a specific party to vote in one of that party’s primary contests.
However, the primary also includes numerous races that will be open to all voters, regardless of party affiliation. That includes school board and judicial contests, as well as races for certain local offices.
In addition, in races where all of the candidates are of one party, with no unaffiliated or write-in candidates, the party primary will be open to all voters, since the primary will decide the office-holder.
To find your sample ballot so you can see what races you’re eligible to vote in, go to your county’s supervisor of elections page (linked below).
Eligible voters can vote at any early voting location within their county. You must bring one or two forms of valid and current identification that include your signature and photo.
Acceptable forms of ID include:
Florida Driver License
Florida ID Card (issued by DHSMV)
U.S. Passport
Debit or Credit Card
Military ID
Student ID
Retirement Center ID
Neighborhood Association ID
Public Assistance ID
Veteran Health ID (issued by the US Department of Veterans Affairs)
Concealed Weapon License (issued pursuant to F.S. 790.06)
Employee ID card issued by any branch, department, agency, or entity of the Federal Government, the state, a county, or a municipality.
If you show up without an ID, you can cast a “provisional” ballot, which is then evaluated by a canvassing board that decides if the ballot is eligible.
Each county’s planned early voting dates are listed below. For locations and hours, click the link for each county, or use the map below.
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