Hillsborough County, FL – Early voting for Florida’s 2026 Primary Election begins Monday across the Tampa Bay area, giving registered voters the opportunity to cast their ballots ahead of the August 18th election.
In Hillsborough County, early voting starts August 3rd and runs through August 15th, allowing residents to vote in person before Primary Election Day.
Florida law requires counties to offer an early voting period before statewide elections, although the exact dates and hours may vary by county.
Voters may cast their ballots at any designated early voting location within the county where they are registered.
Election officials encourage voters to verify polling locations, hours of operation and sample ballots before arriving at a voting site.
A valid photo and signature identification is required to vote in person under Florida law.
Residents who requested vote by mail ballots may also return them before the applicable deadline using approved methods established by their local Supervisor of Elections office.
Election officials recommend returning mail ballots as early as possible to ensure they are received on time.
The 2026 Primary Election will determine party nominees for a number of federal, state and local offices.
The candidates who win their respective primary races will advance to Florida’s General Election on November 3rd.
Depending on where they live, voters may also see nonpartisan races or local contests on their ballots.
Election officials are encouraging voters to review their registration status, confirm their assigned voting information and familiarize themselves with the candidates and issues that will appear on their ballot before heading to the polls.
Voting schedules and polling site hours may differ by county throughout the Tampa Bay region.