{"id":374918,"date":"2026-08-18T19:56:28","date_gmt":"2026-08-18T19:56:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/374918\/"},"modified":"2026-08-18T19:56:28","modified_gmt":"2026-08-18T19:56:28","slug":"primary-election-2026-heres-how-to-cast-a-ballot-in-the-bay-area","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/374918\/","title":{"rendered":"Primary election 2026: Here&#8217;s how to cast a ballot in the Bay Area"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/1787082984_954_florida-primary.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"764\" height=\"432\" loading=\"eager\" fetchpriority=\"high\" data-v-653d32e2=\"\"\/> article    <\/p>\n<p data-v-94395e58=\"\">TAMPA, Fla. &#8211; Florida voters are heading to the polls today, August 18. Below is everything you need to know to cast your vote.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>   County voting locations\u00a0 <\/p>\n<p original-article-post=\"\" origination_station=\"WTVT\" data-v-ec26887a=\"\" data-v-94395e58=\"\">What we know:<\/p>\n<p data-v-94395e58=\"\">Polling locations will open across the region on Tuesday, August 18 for residents choosing to cast their ballots in person. Early voting period options and mail-in ballots were available prior to the election, but mail-in ballots must arrive at election offices by 7 p.m. on Tuesday, August 18 to be counted.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p data-v-94395e58=\"\">Florida operates as a closed primary state, meaning residents can only vote in partisan races corresponding to their registered party. The deadline to register or switch party affiliation was July 20.<\/p>\n<p> <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/84081-CITRUS_COUNTY_WEBSITE-MAP_001_1437591371122_53058_ver1.0.jpg\" alt=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" fetchpriority=\"auto\" width=\"932\" height=\"524\" data-v-2fe2fe3e=\"\"\/>  Citrus County voting Polling places will be open from 7 a.m. \u2013 7 p.m. on Aug. 18. Click <a href=\"https:\/\/www.votecitrus.gov\/230\/Precinct-Finder\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\">here<\/a> to find your precinct. <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/84082-DeSoto_COUNTY_WEBSITE-MAP_001_1437591353007_52967_ver1.0.jpg\" alt=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" fetchpriority=\"auto\" width=\"932\" height=\"524\" data-v-2fe2fe3e=\"\"\/>  DeSoto County Voting <\/p>\n<p data-v-94395e58=\"\">Polling places will be open from 7 a.m. \u2013 7 p.m. on Aug. 18. Click <a href=\"https:\/\/votedesotofl.gov\/voter-information\/precinct-finder\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\">here<\/a> to find your precinct.<\/p>\n<p> <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/84083-HARDEE_COUNTY_WEBSITE-MAP_001_1437591364095_53055_ver1.0.jpg\" alt=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" fetchpriority=\"auto\" width=\"932\" height=\"524\" data-v-2fe2fe3e=\"\"\/>  Hardee County Voting <\/p>\n<p data-v-94395e58=\"\">Polling places will be open from 7 a.m. \u2013 7 p.m. on Aug. 18. Click <a href=\"https:\/\/hardeeflvotes.gov\/voter-information\/find-my-precinct\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\">here<\/a> to find your precinct.<\/p>\n<p> <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/84084-HERNANDO_COUNTY_WEBSITE-MAP_001_1437591352551_52966_ver1.0.jpg\" alt=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" fetchpriority=\"auto\" width=\"932\" height=\"524\" data-v-2fe2fe3e=\"\"\/>  Hernando County <\/p>\n<p data-v-94395e58=\"\">Polling places will be open from 7 a.m. \u2013 7 p.m. on Aug. 18. Click <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hernandovotes.gov\/1195\/Precincts-Polling-Locations\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\">here<\/a> to find your precinct.<\/p>\n<p> <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/84086-HIGHLANDS_COUNTY_WEBSITE-MAP_001_1437591368031_52970_ver1.0.jpg\" alt=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" fetchpriority=\"auto\" width=\"932\" height=\"524\" data-v-2fe2fe3e=\"\"\/>  Highlands County Voting <\/p>\n<p data-v-94395e58=\"\">Polling places will be open from 7 a.m. \u2013 7 p.m. on Aug. 18. Click <a href=\"https:\/\/www.votehighlands.gov\/where-do-i-vote\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\">here<\/a> to find your precinct.<\/p>\n<p> <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/1787082986_165_84087_HILLSBOROUGH_COUNTY_WEBSITE-MAP_001_1437591366766_53057_ver1.0.jpg\" alt=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" fetchpriority=\"auto\" width=\"932\" height=\"524\" data-v-2fe2fe3e=\"\"\/>  Hillsborough County Voting <\/p>\n<p data-v-94395e58=\"\">Polling places will be open from 7 a.m. \u2013 7 p.m. on Aug. 18. Click <a href=\"https:\/\/www.votehillsborough.gov\/159\/Voting-Precincts\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\">here<\/a> to find your precinct.<\/p>\n<p> <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/84088-MANATEE_COUNTY_WEBSITE-MAP_001_1437591350957_53052_ver1.0.jpg\" alt=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" fetchpriority=\"auto\" width=\"932\" height=\"524\" data-v-2fe2fe3e=\"\"\/>  Manatee County Voting <\/p>\n<p data-v-94395e58=\"\">Polling places will be open from 7 a.m. \u2013 7 p.m. on Aug. 18. Click <a href=\"https:\/\/www.votemanatee.gov\/early-voting\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\">here<\/a> to find your precinct.<\/p>\n<p> <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/84089-PASCO_COUNTY_WEBSITE-MAP_001_1437591351593_53053_ver1.0.jpg\" alt=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" fetchpriority=\"auto\" width=\"932\" height=\"524\" data-v-2fe2fe3e=\"\"\/>  Pasco County Voting <\/p>\n<p data-v-94395e58=\"\">Polling places will be open from 7 a.m. \u2013 7 p.m. on Aug. 18. Click <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pascovotes.gov\/precincts\/precinct_finder.php\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\">here<\/a> to find your precinct.<\/p>\n<p> <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/84090-PINELLAS_COUNTY_WEBSITE-MAP_001_1437591364700_53056_ver1.0.jpg\" alt=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" fetchpriority=\"auto\" width=\"932\" height=\"524\" data-v-2fe2fe3e=\"\"\/>  Pinellas County Voting <\/p>\n<p data-v-94395e58=\"\">Polling places will be open from 7 a.m. \u2013 7 p.m. on Aug. 18. Click <a href=\"https:\/\/www.votepinellas.gov\/186\/Find-My-Precinct\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\">here<\/a> to find your precinct.<\/p>\n<p> <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/84091-POLK_COUNTY_WEBSITE-MAP_001_1437591350579_52965_ver1.0.jpg\" alt=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" fetchpriority=\"auto\" width=\"932\" height=\"524\" data-v-2fe2fe3e=\"\"\/>  Polk County Voting <\/p>\n<p data-v-94395e58=\"\">Polling places will be open from 7 a.m. \u2013 7 p.m. on Aug. 18. Click <a href=\"https:\/\/www.polkelections.gov\/163\/Where-Do-I-Vote\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\">here<\/a> to find your precinct.<\/p>\n<p> <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/84092-SARASOTA_COUNTY_WEBSITE-MAP_001_1437591362995_52968_ver1.0.jpg\" alt=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" fetchpriority=\"auto\" width=\"932\" height=\"524\" data-v-2fe2fe3e=\"\"\/>  Sarasota County Voting <\/p>\n<p data-v-94395e58=\"\">Polling places will be open from 7 a.m. \u2013 7 p.m. on Aug. 18. Click <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sarasotavotes.gov\/169\/Find-My-Precinct-and-Polling-Place\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\">here<\/a> to find your precinct.<\/p>\n<p> <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/84093-SUMTER_COUNTY_WEBSITE-MAP_001_1437591363980_52969_ver1.0.jpg\" alt=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" fetchpriority=\"auto\" width=\"932\" height=\"524\" data-v-2fe2fe3e=\"\"\/>  Sumter County <\/p>\n<p data-v-94395e58=\"\">Polling places will be open from 7 a.m. \u2013 7 p.m. on Aug. 18. Click <a href=\"https:\/\/elections.sumtercountyfl.gov\/204\/Find-My-Elected-Officials\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\">here<\/a> to find your precinct.<\/p>\n<p class=\"group-source-paragraph\" data-v-4fbf7207=\"\">The Source: The information in this story was gathered from the Florida Division of Elections voter status database, which detailed registration laws and mail-in protocol, as well as official schedules published by the Florida Supervisors of Elections organization.<\/p>\n<p>    <a href=\"https:\/\/www.fox13news.com\/tag\/us\/fl\/hillsborough\/tampa\" class=\"tags-tag\" data-v-94395e58=\"\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Tampa<\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/www.fox13news.com\/tag\/elections-2026\" class=\"tags-tag\" data-v-94395e58=\"\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">2026 Elections<\/a> <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"article TAMPA, Fla. &#8211; Florida voters are heading to the polls today, August 18. Below is everything you&hellip;\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":374919,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[10],"tags":[114192,47,629,115,135,137,136,628],"class_list":["post-374918","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-tampa","tag-elections-2026","tag-fl","tag-hillsborough","tag-news","tag-tampa","tag-tampa-headlines","tag-tampa-news","tag-us"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/374918","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=374918"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/374918\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/374919"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=374918"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=374918"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=374918"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}