Voter Toolkit

Encourage members to make early VBM requests to provide plenty of time to review, complete, and return their ballot. The recommendation is to return the mail ballot for it to arrive at their county Elections Office at least 7 -10 days before the election. This allows for time to verify, on the Supervisor of Elections website or by phone, the arrival and status of the voted ballot. If there’s an error, such as a signature that doesn’t match the one in the member’s voter file or a change of address, the member would have time to contact the Supervisor of Elections to update their voter file and ensure their vote counts. Do not wait until the final two weeks before the election to request a mail ballot.

It’s extremely convenient and no different than voting in person – except voters complete their ballots in the privacy and safety of their homes. No long lines, long waits and there’s no possibly of coming in contact with the virus at the polls. Members can apply for a mail ballot today. As we move closer to Election Day, the election office will mail a ballot to their home.  Members can request their by calling their county Supervisor of Elections office, mailing a written request, or completing the online form on the Elections website. All you need is name, address, and date of birth.

Voting-by-mail has existed in Florida for a long time. We used to call it an ‘Absentee ballot’. In 2016, Florida changed the name to Vote by Mail to ease confusion over who can vote by mail. It’s available to all registered voters and you don’t need an excuse to receive one. It’s a safe and secure way to cast your ballot. Numerous states have been conducting their elections entirely by mail for years.

Yes. All mail ballots are counted in every election.

If you haven’t received your ballot a month before Election Day, check your voting status first on the Elections website. If you notice any errors, contact your county election office immediately to remedy the problem and request a new ballot.

• For the Primary, check your voter status before the July 20 voter registration deadline.
• For the General, check your voter status before the October 5 voter registration deadline.

Check your voter status to avoid any errors, confusion or mishaps that could impact your vote. The state has been working to update the voter files. On occasion mistakes are made. You want to make sure your vote is safe, secure and will be counted.

Articles explains why members need to check their voter status every election cycle:

• Here’s how you could end up on Florida’s ‘inactive’ voter list — even if you’ve voted recently (Florida Today)
• How to register to vote and make sure you don’t get purged from voter rolls (WTSP, Tampa)
• In crucial 2020 states, voting rights hurdles loom ahead of elections (ABC News)

Yes, Mail ballot requests remain in place for two General election cycles. Once it expires you must submit another request. It can be done by phone, a letter or email, or online on your county Supervisor of Elections website.

You can still vote in person, but you must surrender the mail ballot at your polling site before you vote. The ballot must be cancelled for your vote to count.

TIP: If you choose to vote in person, please wear a mask and gloves, carry sanitizer or wipes. You might want to bring own black felt tip pen to mark your ballot and place your ID in a clear plastic zip lock snack or sandwich bag. 

If you run into a problem at your polling site, you have the right to request a `Provisional ballot’.

What is a Provisional Ballot?

Provisional ballots are used by the Elections office to determine whether a person is legally eligible to vote.  For example, a provisional ballot is used to cure mismatched signatures; it’s required for voters who fail to update their address after relocating with the state.

Using a Provisional ballot does not guarantee your vote. If your voter eligibility cannot be confirmed, your ballot will not be validated. To ensure your vote counts, please take a few moments -now- to check your voter status online.

Reasons for Provisional Voting

• Voter record cannot be located
• Voter did not bring proper identification to the polls
• Voter’s eligibility cannot be verified at the precinct
• Voter’s eligibility has been challenged.
• Voter is at the incorrect precinct
• Voter may have already voted in the election.