If you’re not someone who consistently stays in the loop on politics and elections, an election year can be a confusing time, especially if you live in Florida.
Many people might be wondering what exactly is the difference between Florida’s presidential preference primary, the actual primary election and the general election. That’s a great question, but before it's answered, it’s also important to know that your voter registration is in good standing and that you’re registered with the right party.
In Florida, July 22 is a big day because it’s the last day voters can register and change their party for the upcoming primary election on Aug. 20.
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While registering to vote is obviously important, in Florida, registering with the right party is a big deal, too, because the state has closed primaries. This means voters can only vote for their party candidates, and no party affiliation (NPA) voters are not eligible to vote for any partisan candidates unless a universal primary contest happens.
Here’s what to know about the upcoming Florida primary election and how to check your voter status.
How to check if you're registered to vote in Florida
Checking your voter registration status in Florida is an easy process. Here’s how to do it:
- Visit the Department of State website
- Enter your first and last name and your birthday
- Accept the terms of service by checking the option that says you “understand and agree”
- Submit your information
After submitting your information, you’ll see a form that provides your voter registration information. At the bottom, you’ll see your registration status, which will say either active or inactive.
How to find your polling site in Escambia, Santa Rosa counties
Not sure where to go to vote? The Escambia and Santa Rosa county Supervisor of Elections websites can help you find your precinct.
To find your polling site in Escambia County, head over to the Escambia Votes website and use the "Find My Precinct" tool:
- Enter your house number into the tool
- Type in your street name (No need to enter the direction or street type)
- Select your street name from the options that appear
You'll immediately see your address precinct just below the chosen address, along with upcoming election information underneath that. The location and address of your precinct's polling location will appear with the upcoming election information.
Santa Rosa County voters can use the same tool, which can be found on the Vote Santa Rosa website. Follow the same steps above and you'll be shown your precinct number.
If you're having trouble with the tool, make sure you type in the name of your address rather than copying and pasting it.
What to bring with you to vote
The most important thing to bring with you on election day is a current and valid photo ID with a signature. Any of the following photo IDS are accepted:
- Florida driver’s license
- Florida identification card issued by the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles
- United States passport
- Debit or credit card
- Military identification
- Student identification
- Retirement center identification
- Neighborhood association identification
- Public assistance identification
- Veteran health identification card issued by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs
- License to carry a concealed weapon or firearm issued pursuant to s. 790.06
- Employee identification card issued by any branch, department, agency, or entity of the Federal Government, the state, a county, or a municipality.
If your photo ID doesn't have a signature, you will be asked to provide one that does.
If you don't have a proper ID, you can still vote a provisional ballot. To do so, you'll need to ensure that you are eligible and that you voted in the proper precinct. Your provisional ballot will count, provided that the signature on the provisional ballot matches the signature in your registration record.
How do Florida primary and general elections work?
Florida is one of 12 states that use a closed primary election process. That means that you may only vote for candidates of the party you are registered with. Independent voters, or nonpartisan voters, are not able to vote for partisan candidates during closed primaries.
During the general election, all registered voters, regardless of party affiliation, can vote for any candidate of their choosing.
Primary election key dates
- Deadline to send vote-by-mail ballots to UOCAVA voters: July 6
- Deadline to send vote-by-mail ballots to domestic voters: July 11 – 18
- Deadline to register to vote: July 22
- Early voting period (mandatory period): Aug. 10 – 17
- Deadline to request that ballot be mailed: Aug. 8
- Election Day: Aug. 20
General election key dates
- Deadline to send vote-by-mail ballots to UOCAVA voters: Sept. 21
- Deadline to send vote-by-mail ballots to domestic voters: Sept. 26 – Oct. 3
- Deadline to register to vote: Oct. 7
- Early voting period (mandatory period): Oct. 26 – Nov. 2
- Deadline to request that ballot be mailed: Oct. 24
- Election Day: Nov. 5
How to change your political party
Changing your political party is easy and doesn't require you to do any heavy lifting; you can do it from a computer, tablet or smartphone with an internet connection.
Just head over to the Online Voter Registration System and click on the big "Register or Update" button. You'll be asked your reason for application. Just select the "record update/change" option and you can follow the steps to change your party affiliation.
If you don't want to go through the process online, you can submit a Florida Voter Registration Application to the Supervisor of Elections.
2024 offices up for election in Escambia County
Federal
- President and Vice President
- U.S. Senator
- Representative in Congress: 1st District
State
- Senator: District 1
- House of Representatives: Districts 1, 2
- State Attorney: 1st Judicial Circuit
- Public defender: 1st Judicial Circuit
Constitutional officers
- Clerk of Court
- Sheriff
- Property appraiser
- Tax collector
- Supervisor of Elections
Judicial
- Justice of Supreme Court of Florida (retention)
- Judge: 1st District Court of Appeal (retention)
- County Judge: Groups 4, 5
- Circuit Court Judge, First Judicial Circuit, multiple groups
County and school board
- County commission: Districts 1, 3 and 5
- School Board: Districts 4, 5
Special districts
- Emerald Coast Utilities Authority: Districts 1, 3 and 5
- Santa Rosa Island Authority
- Escambia Soil and Water Conservation: Groups 1-5
City of Pensacola
- City council: Districts 1, 3, 5 and 7
Town of Century
- Mayor
- Town Council: Seats 1, 2
2024 offices up for election in Escambia County
- Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller
- Sheriff
- Property Appraiser
- Tax Collector
- Superintendent of Schools
- Supervisor of Elections
- County Commissioner: Districts 1,3 and 5
- School Board Members: Districts 2, 4
- Blackwater Soil & Water Conservation District: Seats 2, 4
- Avalon Beach-Mulat Fire Protection District: Seats 1, 2 and 4
- Holley-Navarre Fire District: Seats 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5
- Midway Fire District: Seats 1, 3 and 5
- Navarre Beach Fire Rescue District: Seats 1, 3 and 5
- Pace Fire Rescue District: Seats 1, 3 and 5
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