Election administration in Florida

Florida 2025 elections

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Election Information
Voter registration
Early voting
Absentee/mail-in voting
All-mail voting
Voter ID laws
State poll opening and closing times
Time off work for voting

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Election administration encompasses a state's voting policies, procedures, and enforcement. These include voter identification requirements, early and absentee/mail-in voting provisions, voter list maintenance methods, and more. Each state's voting policies dictate who can vote and under what conditions.

THE BASICS

* Florida permits online voter registration.

* Florida permits early voting and no-excuse absentee/mail-in voting.

* In Florida, polls are open from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.

* Florida requires photo identification with a signature to vote.

* Florida holds closed primary elections.

* Florida has tools for verifying voter registration and checking the status of mail-in and provisional ballots.

Below, you will find details on the following election administration topics in Florida:

* Poll times
* Voter registration
* Early and absentee/mail-in voting policy
* Voter identification requirements
* Provisional ballot rules
* Primary election type
* Time off work for voting
* Voting rules for people convicted of a felony

* Voter list maintenance
* Post-election auditing
* Election policy ballot measures
* Election policy legislation
* Ballot access
* Redistricting
* Election administration agencies

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## Contents

* 1 Poll times
* 2 Voter registration
* 2.1 Automatic registration
* 2.2 Online registration
* 2.3 Same-day registration
* 2.4 Residency requirements
* 2.5 Verification of citizenship
* 2.6 Verifying your registration
* 3 Early and absentee/mail-in voting policy
* 3.1 Early voting
* 3.2 Absentee/mail-in voting
* 3.2.1 Returning mail-in ballots
* 3.2.2 Signature requirements and cure provisions
* 3.2.3 Was your absentee/mail-in ballot counted?
* 4 Voter identification requirements
* 4.1 Provisional balloting for voters without ID
* 5 Provisional ballot rules
* 5.1 Was your provisional ballot counted?
* 6 Local election officials
* 7 Primary election type
* 8 Time off work for voting
* 9 Voting rules for people convicted of a felony
* 10 Voter list maintenance
* 10.1 When names can be removed from the voter list
* 10.2 Inactive voter list rules
* 10.3 The Electronic Registration Information Center (ERIC)
* 11 Post-election auditing
* 12 Noteworthy events
* 12.1 Voter registration ID requirements, dropbox rules, and other election changes (2021-2023)
* 12.1.1 Background
* 12.1.2 The district court's ruling
* 12.1.3 Reactions
* 12.1.4 The circuit court's ruling
* 12.2 Election security force created and other election laws changed (2022)
* 12.3 Voting rights rules changed for people convicted of a felony (2020)
* 12.4 Florida Amendment 4, Voting Rights Restoration for Felons Initiative (2018)
* 12.5 Federal judge blocks secretary of state's order prohibiting early voting on college campuses (2018)
* 13 Election policy ballot measures
* 14 Recent legislation related to election administration in Florida
* 14.1 Explore election legislation with Ballotpedia
* 15 Ballot access
* 16 Redistricting
* 16.1 State process
* 17 Election administration agencies
* 17.1 Election agencies
* 18 Ballotpedia's election coverage
* 19 See also
* 19.1 Elections in Florida
* 20 External links
* 21 Footnotes

## Poll times[edit]

See also: State poll opening and closing times

In Florida, all polls are open from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. local time. Florida is divided between the Eastern and Central time zones. An individual who is in line at the time polls close must be allowed to vote.[1]

## Voter registration[edit]

Check your voter registration status here.

To vote in Florida, one must be at least 18 years of age, a citizen of the United States, and a legal resident of Florida and the county in which he or she intends to vote. Pre-registration is available beginning at 16 years of age.[2][3]

Voters may retrieve registration applications at the following locations:[2]

* Local elections offices
* Public assistance agencies
* Disability services agencies
* Independent living centers
* Military recruitment offices
* Public libraries
* Drivers license office
* Tax collector's office
* The office of any entity authorized by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission to issue fishing, hunting, or trapping permits

A registration form is also available online. The form can be printed and submitted via mail.[3]

Click here  to find your county Supervisor of Elections.

### Automatic registration[edit]

Florida does not practice automatic voter registration.

### Online registration[edit]

See also: Online voter registration

Florida has implemented an online voter registration system. Residents can register to vote by visiting this website.

Voters may also apply for or modify their voter registration status while renewing their driver's license through the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles’ online renewal system here.

### Same-day registration[edit]

Florida does not allow same-day voter registration.

### Residency requirements[edit]

To register to vote in Florida, you must be a resident of the state. State law does not specify a length of time for which you must have been a resident to be eligible.

### Verification of citizenship[edit]

See also: Laws permitting noncitizens to vote in the United States

Florida does not require proof of citizenship for voter registration. An individual must attest that they are a U.S. citizen when registering to vote. According to the state's voter registration application, "it is a 3rd degree felony to submit false information." [4]

All 49 states with voter registration systems require applicants to declare that they are U.S. citizens in order to register to vote in state and federal elections, under penalty of perjury or other punishment.[5] Seven states — Alabama, Arizona, Georgia, Kansas, Louisiana, New Hampshire, and Wyoming — have laws requiring verification of citizenship at the time of voter registration, whether in effect or not. One state, Ohio, requires proof of citizenship only when registering to vote at a Bureau of Motor Vehicles facility. In three states — California, Maryland, and Vermont — at least one local jurisdiction allows noncitizens to vote in some local elections. Noncitizens registering to vote in those elections must complete a voter registration application provided by the local jurisdiction and are not eligible to register as state or federal voters.

### Verifying your registration[edit]

The page Voter Information Lookup, run by the Florida Department of State, allows residents to check their voter registration status online.

## Early and absentee/mail-in voting policy[edit]

### Early voting[edit]

See also: Early voting

Florida permits early voting. Learn more by visiting this website.

Early voting permits citizens to cast ballots in person at a polling place prior to an election. In states that permit no-excuse early voting, a voter does not have to provide an excuse for being unable to vote on Election Day. States that allow voters to cast no-excuse absentee/mail-in ballots in person are counted as no-excuse early voting states.

Forty-seven states and the District of Columbia permit no-excuse early voting.

### Absentee/mail-in voting[edit]

See also: Absentee/mail-in voting

All voters are eligible to vote by mail in Florida. There are no special eligibility requirements for voting by mail.[6]

To vote by mail, an application must be received by 5:00 p.m. on the 12th day before the election. Election officials must mail the ballot out within 2 business days after a request, but no later than the 10th day before election day.[6]

A returned ballot must then be received by election officials by 7:00 p.m. on Election Day.[6]

#### Returning mail-in ballots[edit]

See also: Mail ballot collection and return laws by state

Absentee/mail-in ballots in Florida can be returned by mail or in person. Voters can designate someone to pick up or return their ballot on their behalf. To be counted, a ballot must be received by election officials in the county in which the voter is registered by 7 p.m. on Election Day.[6] Overseas voters have 10 extra days to return their ballot in presidential preference and general elections, but the ballot still must be postmarked by election day.[7]

On May 6, 2021, Governor Ron DeSantis (R) signed SB90 into law, establishing that "any person who distributes, orders, requests, collects, delivers, or otherwise physically possesses more than two vote-by-mail ballots per election in addition to his or her own ballot or a ballot belonging to an immediate family member, except as provided in ss. 101.6105-101.694, including supervised voting at assisted living facilities and nursing home facilities as authorized under s. 101.655, commits a misdemeanor of the first degree."[8]

Twenty states allow anyone chosen by the voter to return a ballot on the voter's behalf, with certain exceptions, while 16 states allow anyone with certain relationships to the voter to return the voter's ballot. Four states allow only the voter to return the voter's ballot, with certain exceptions, and two states required voters to return their ballots by mail. Eight states and D.C. do not specify who may return ballots.

#### Signature requirements and cure provisions[edit]

Absentee/mail-in ballots in Florida include a certificate that must be signed by the voter. Florida law includes a cure provision allowing voters to correct an issue with the signature on their ballot.

Voters are notified if their absentee/mail-in ballot is missing a signature or the signature is found not to match the signature on record. According to the Florida Division of Elections:[6]

“  | Once a voter learns about the missing or mismatched signature, the voter may complete and return a “Vote-by-Mail Ballot Cure” Affidavit (Form DS-DE 139 - English PDF / Español PDF) with a copy of identification. The documentation can be returned by mail, email, fax, or in person. The deadline to submit the form and the ID is no later than 5 p.m. (local time) on the 2nd day after an election. Failure to follow the instructions may cause the ballot not to be counted.[9] | ”

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Thirty-three states have laws that include cure provisions, while 17 states do not. One state, Pennsylvania, allows counties to establish a cure process.

#### Was your absentee/mail-in ballot counted?[edit]

Voters can check the status of their absentee/mail-in ballot through their county supervisor of elections website.

## Voter identification requirements[edit]

See also: Voter ID in Florida
See also: Voter identification laws by state

Florida requires voters to present photo identification with a signature while voting.[10][11]

The following list of accepted ID was current as of October 2025. Click here for the Florida Secretary of State's page on accepted ID to ensure you have the most current information.

* 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

A voter who presents an ID without a signature must show a second form of identification that includes the voter’s signature.

Click here to learn more about the background of Florida's law.

Thirty-six states require voters to present identification in order to vote at the polls on Election Day. Of these states, 24 require voters to present identification containing a photograph, and 12 accept other forms of identification. The remaining 14 states do not require voters to present identification in order to vote at the polls on Election Day.

Valid forms of identification differ by state. In certain states that require voters to provide identification, there may be exceptions that allow some voters to cast a ballot without providing an ID. To see more about these exceptions, see details by state. Commonly accepted forms of ID include driver's licenses, state-issued identification cards, and military identification cards.

#### Provisional balloting for voters without ID[edit]

Voters who do not have ID while voting may cast provisional ballots. See below for provisional ballot rules.

## Provisional ballot rules[edit]

Voters in Florida are given provisional ballots, or ballots requiring additional steps or information before they can be counted, under the following circumstances:[12]

1) If the voter does not have the proper identification, the voter has the right to cast a provisional ballot.

2) If the voter’s eligibility to vote is challenged by an election official, the voter has the right to cast a provisional ballot.

3) If the voter's eligibility cannot be determined, the voter has the right to cast a provisional ballot.

After voting by provisional ballot, the voter is given a written notice of rights, which includes instructions on how to find out if a provisional ballot was counted, and if not, why.[12][13]

A provisional ballot is rejected in the following circumstances:[14]

* If the voter is not registered; or
* If the voter is not entitled to vote at the precinct where they cast a vote.

#### Was your provisional ballot counted?[edit]

Visit the Florida Secretary of State's website to find contact information for county elections officials to determine the status of a provisional ballot.

## Local election officials[edit]

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Do you need information about elections in your area? Are you looking for your local election official? Click here to visit the U.S. Vote Foundation and use their election official lookup tool.|

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## Primary election type[edit]

See also: Primary elections in Florida

A primary election is an election in which registered voters select a candidate that they believe should be a political party's candidate for elected office to run in the general election. They are also used to choose convention delegates and party leaders. Primaries are state-level and local-level elections that take place prior to a general election. Florida utilizes a closed primary process, in which the selection of a party's candidates in an election is limited to registered party members.[15][16]

For information about which offices are nominated via primary election, see this article.

## Time off work for voting[edit]

Ballotpedia did not find a law specifying whether voters must be given time off from work to vote in this state. Nolo.com notes that states without such state laws may have administrative regulations or local ordinances pertaining to time off for voting and suggests calling your local board of elections or state labor department for more information.[17]

If you know of a relevant policy in this state, please email us.

Twenty-eight states require employers to grant employees time off to vote. Within these 28 states, policies vary as to whether that time off must be paid and how much notice must be given.

## Voting rules for people convicted of a felony[edit]

See also: Voting rights for people convicted of a felony

In Florida, people convicted of most felony offenses have their voting rights automatically restored upon completion of their entire sentence, including prison, probation, and parole. Murder and felony sexual offenses are examples of felonies that permanently disqualify people from voting.[18]

Voting rights for people convicted of a felony vary from state to state. In the majority of states, people convicted of a felony cannot vote while they are incarcerated but may regain the right to vote upon release from prison or at some point thereafter.[19]

## Voter list maintenance[edit]

All states have rules under which they maintain voter rolls—or, check and remove certain names from their lists of registered voters. Most states are subject to the parameters set by The National Voter Registration Act (NVRA).[20] The NVRA requires states to make efforts to remove deceased individuals and individuals who have become ineligible due to a change of address. It prohibits removing registrants from voter lists within 90 days of a federal election due to change of address unless a registrant has requested to be removed, or from removing people from voter lists solely because they have not voted. The NVRA says that states may remove names from their registration lists under certain other circumstances and that their methods for removing names must be uniform and nondiscriminatory.[21]

#### When names can be removed from the voter list[edit]

Florida law authorizes county election officials to remove the names of voters from the registered voting list if an individual:[22][23][24][25]

* Dies,
* Has been adjudicated mentally incapacitated,
* Is convicted of a felony,
* Is found to have registered to vote in another state,
* Requests in writing to be removed, or
* Remains on the inactive voter list through two general elections.

#### Inactive voter list rules[edit]

Florida law requires county election officials to conduct a voter registration maintenance program annually to identify voters whose address may have changed. Officials may use National Change of Address data and non-forwardable mailings. If officials find that a voter has moved out of state, they are to send them an address confirmation notice. If the notice is not returned or is returned as undeliverable, the voter is placed on an inactive voter list. Inactive voters are eligible to vote under Florida law and may be restored to active status by updating their registration information or by voting. If the voter remains on the inactive list through two general elections, their registration is to be canceled.[23]

#### The Electronic Registration Information Center (ERIC)[edit]

See also: Electronic Registration Information Center (ERIC)

According to its website, ERIC is a nonprofit corporation that is governed by a board of member-states. These member states submit voter registration and motor vehicle registration information to ERIC. ERIC uses this information, as well as Social Security death records and other sources, to provide member states with reports showing voters who have moved within their state, moved out of their state, died, have duplicate registrations in their state, or are potentially eligible to vote but are not yet registered. ERIC's website describes its funding as follows: "Members fund ERIC. New members pay a one-time membership fee of $25,000, which is reserved for technology upgrades and other unanticipated expenses. Members also pay annual dues. Annual dues cover operating costs and are based, in part, on the citizen voting age population in each state."[26]

Twenty-five states are participating members in the ERIC program. Thirty-four states and the District of Columbia have joined and participated in ERIC at some point.[27]

As of July 2024, Florida was not a participating member in ERIC.

Secretary of State Cord Byrd (R) withdrew Florida from ERIC on March 6, 2023, saying, "Florida has tried to back reforms to increase protections, but these protections were refused. Therefore, we have lost confidence in ERIC."[28] According to ERIC, the effective date for this withdrawal was June 3, 2023.[29]

## Post-election auditing[edit]

Florida state law requires post-election audits. The audit is conducted by the county canvassing board or local board responsible for certifying the election. Auditors can conduct "a manual audit of votes for one randomly selected race in 2% of precincts containing that race" or a "public automated tally of the votes cast across every race that appears on the ballot in at least 20% of randomly-chosen precincts." When the audit is complete, a report is sent to the Florida Department of State that includes any discrepancies, the likely cause, and recommendations to correct the problem in future elections. The audit begins immediately following certification of the election, and results "must be made public no later than 7 days after certification and reported to Dept. of State within 15 days after certification."[30]

Post-election audits check that election results tallied by a state's voting system match results from paper records, such as paper ballots filled out by voters or the paper records produced by electronic voting machines. Post-election audits are classified into two categories: audits of election results—which include traditional post-election audits as well as risk-limiting audits—and procedural audits.[31][32]

Typically, traditional post-election audits are done by recounting a portion of ballots, either electronically or by hand, and comparing the results to those produced by the state's voting system. In contrast, risk-limiting audits use statistical methods to compare a random sample of votes cast to election results instead of reviewing every ballot. The scope of procedural audits varies by state, but they typically include a systematic review of voting equipment, performance of the voting system, vote totals, duties of election officials and workers, ballot chain of custody, and more.

Forty-six states and the District of Columbia require some form of post-election audit by law, excluding states with pilot programs. Of these, 39 states and the District of Columbia require traditional post-election audits, while three states require risk-limiting post-election audits, and three states require some other form of post-election audit, including procedural post-election audits.[33][31]

## Noteworthy events[edit]

### Voter registration ID requirements, dropbox rules, and other election changes (2021-2023)[edit]

On March 31, 2022, Judge Mark E. Walker, of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida, struck down three state election laws: one regulating the availability and supervision of ballot drop boxes, one imposing delivery requirements on third-party voter registration groups, and one barring certain activities at or near polling places and drop boxes. Walker also ordered that Florida submit any future changes to these policies for federal preclearance for a period of 10 years.

However, on May 6, 2022, a three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit granted the state's motion for a stay of the district court's ruling, allowing the disputed legal provisions to take effect and reversing the lower court's preclearance order.

Below is a summary of key developments in this case, starting with background about the law itself, then moving on to the district court's ruling (and reactions to it), and concluding with a discussion of the appellate court's order.

#### Background[edit]

On May 6, 2021, Gov Ron DeSantis (R) signed SB90, making a series of changes to Florida's election laws, including (but not limited to) the following:[8]

* Vote-by-mail:
* Requiring that voters requesting mail-in ballots (in person, in writing, or by telephone) provide either their Florida identification card numbers or the last four digits of their Social Security numbers.
* Reducing the duration of a mail-in ballot request form from two election cycles to one.
* Drop boxes: Requiring that a secure drop box at a location other than the office of the county supervisor be open only during early voting hours, under the in-person monitoring of an employee of the supervisor's office.
* Registration delivery: Requiring third-party voter registration organizations (3PVROs) to deliver applications to the Division of Elections or the Supervisor of Elections in the counties in which the applicants reside within 14 days of completing the applications (previously, 3PVROs could return completed applications to any Supervisor of Elections).
* Solicitation: Barring anyone from "engaging in any activity with the intent to influence or effect of influencing a voter," either inside a polling place or within 150 feet of a drop box or the entrance of a polling place (this prohibition can be construed to apply to "line warming" activities, such as giving out water, snacks, umbrellas, etc.).

The Florida House of Representatives and the Florida State Senate approved the final version of SB90 by votes of 77-40 and 23-17, respectively, on April 29, 2021. In the House, the vote split along party lines: all Republicans present voted in favor, and all Democrats present voted against. In the Senate, the vote also split largely along partisan lines, with one Republican (Sen. Jeff Brandes) joining the chamber's 16 Democrats in opposing the bill. SB90 took immediate effect.[8]

Several groups, including the League of Women Voters of Florida and the Florida State Conference of Branches and Youth Units of the NAACP, filed four separate lawsuits, alleging that the aforementioned provisions were intentionally racially discriminatory, in violation of the First, Fourteenth, and Fifteenth Amendments and the Voting Rights Act. The suits were consolidated at trial.

#### The district court's ruling[edit]

Walker, a Barack Obama (D) appointee, noted that claims of racial discrimination must be judged against the test the U.S. Supreme Court established in Arlington Heights v. Metropolitan Housing Development Corp. The test incorporates the following factors:[34]

* The historical context.
* "[T]he specific sequence of events leading up to" the challenged law's passage, including "procedural and substantive departure" and "contemporary statements and actions of key legislators."
* The impact of the challenged law, including the"foreseeability of the disparate impact, knowledge of that impact, and the availability of less discriminatory alternatives."

Walker concluded that Florida's historical racial, political, and electoral contexts, as well as the specific sequence of events leading up to SB90's passage, supported the plaintiff's claims.[34]

Walker then addressed the impact of SB90, dealing with each of the challenged provisions in turn:[34]

* Vote-by-mail: Walker found that the racial impact of both the request and identification provisions was "unclear."
* Drop boxes: Walker found that SB90's drop-box provision "increases the time, transportation, and information costs of voting by drop box." Walker concluded that these costs would "fall more heavily on Black voters."
* Registration delivery: Walker held that, because 3PVROs "overwhelmingly serve minority communities," the registration delivery provision "disproportionately harms Black and Latino voters."
* Solicitation: Walker concluded that SB90's solicitation provision "will have a disparate impact on minority voters because minority voters are disproportionately likely to wait in line to vote, and because the provision discourages third parties from helping those waiting to vote."

Walker turned next to the question of whether these impacts were foreseeable and within the actual knowledge of legislators. Walker concluded, "The evidence before this Court not only suggests that the Legislature had such knowledge, but also that it specifically sought it out." With respect to the availability of less discriminatory alternatives, Walker found that "less discriminatory alternatives to each challenged provision not only were available but were presented to and rejected by the Legislature."[34]

Having considered impacts, Walker framed the question of intent as follows:[34]

“  | The main question … is whether the Legislature enacted SB90 purely to secure an electoral advantage for the Republican party without regard to whether it harmed minority voters, or whether SB90 was enacted, at least in part, to target minority voters in order to secure an electoral advantage for the Republican Party.[9] | ”

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Walker concluded that the plaintiffs failed to show that the Legislature acted with discriminatory intent in adopting the vote-by-mail request and identification provisions. However, Walker found that the remaining challenged provisions "specifically target Black voters," in violation of Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act and the Fourteenth and Fifteenth Amendments. Walker permanently enjoined (i.e., barred) enforcement of these provisions.[34]

Finally, Walker turned to the question of relief under Section 3(c) of the Voting Rights Act. Under Section 3(c), a court, upon finding that a political subdivision (e.g., a state or a municipality) has committed intentional racial discrimination in voting, can mandate that the subdivision preclear changes to voting regulations with either the court or the U.S. Attorney General "for such a period as [the court] may deem appropriate."[34]

Walker concluded that relief under Section 3(c) was warranted in this case. Accordingly, Walker barred Florida officials from enacting any law or regulation governing 3PVROs, drop boxes, and line-warming activities without first clearing such changes with the court or the U.S. Attorney General for a period of 10 years.[34]

#### Reactions[edit]

Cecile Scoon, president of the League of Women Voters of Florida said, “Senate Bill 90 was clearly an anti-voter measure that raised barriers to voting for marginalized groups with specific impacts on elderly voters, voters with disabilities, students and communities of color. The League is gratified that once again the constitutional rights of all of Florida’s voters have superseded partisan politics and that the targeted attack on Black voters will be stopped.”[35]

In an interview, DeSantis described Walker's ruling as "the judicial equivalent of pounding the table" and suggested that an appeal was in the works: "I think that that's going to be reversed on appeal. The only question is how quickly it gets reversed on appeal, but it's not going to be able to withstand appellate scrutiny."[36]

In a statement, Florida House Speaker Chris Sprowls (R) called Walker's ruling "an egregious abuse of his power," adding: "The illogical leaps and unsupported inferences in Judge Walker's opinion amount to a 288-page accusation of discriminatory intent based on limited analysis of data he thinks the Legislature might have had, the uncritical and complete acceptance of the comments of Democratic lawmakers, and a total disregard for other viewpoints."[37]

Legal commentators discussed Walker's ruling within the context of the U.S. Supreme Court's 2013 ruling in Shelby County v. Holder, in which the Court held that preclearance mechanism contained in Section 4(b) of the Voting Rights Act was unconstitutional. Joe Patrice, writing for Above the Law, said, "While [Shelby] didn’t necessarily bar the door on a court reinstating preclearance requirements, no one thought to test the scope of the Court’s animosity toward this provision until now." Rick Hasen, writing for Election Law Blog, said, "This is a huge deal, and the district court's analysis is probably right, but there is good reason to believe that this case could be reversed on appeal by the much more conservative 11th Circuit or the Supreme Court."[38][39]

#### The circuit court's ruling[edit]

On May 6, 2022, a three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit granted the state's motion for a stay of the district court's ruling, allowing the disputed legal provisions to take effect and reversing the lower court's preclearance order. The panel comprised judges Kevin Newsom, Barbara Lagoa, and Andrew Brasher. In its unsigned order, the court cited the Purcell principle, which holds that "federal district courts ordinarily should not enjoin state election laws in the period close to an election."[40]

“  | According for Purcell, we hold that the state is entitled to a stay of the district court's order enjoining the operation of SB90's Drop-Box, Registration-Delivery, and Solicitation Provisions and subjecting Florida to preclearance. The district court's determination regarding the legislature's intentional discrimination suffers from at least two flaws, either of which justifies a stay. And, although we think it presents a closer question, we hold that the district court's determination that the Solicitation Provision is unconstitutionally vague and overbroad is sufficiently vulnerable.[9] | ”

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The circuit court's May 6 order did not represent a decision on the merits. Instead, the order stayed the district court's order pending resolution of the appeal to the circuit court.[40]

### Election security force created and other election laws changed (2022)[edit]

On April 25, 2022, Governor Ron DeSantis (R) signed SB524 into law. SB524 made a number of changes to Florida's election laws, including, but not limited to, the following:[41]

* Established the Office of Election Crimes and Security, as a division of the Department of State, "to aid the Secretary of State in completion of his or her existing duties related to investigation of election law violations or election irregularities."
* Required election supervisors to conduct registration list maintenance programs at least once per year (state law previously required such maintenance once in each odd-numbered year).
* Barred the use of private donations for any election-related expenses, including the costs of litigation.
* Barred the use of ranked-choice voting in any election.
* Increased the annual cap on fines assessed against third-party voter registration organizations that fail to deliver completed applications in a timely manner from $1,000 to $50,000.
* Established a penalty against third-party voter registration organizations of $1,000 per application found to be altered by a person working on the organization's behalf.

On March 4, 2022, the Florida Senate approved the bill 24-14, with 23 Republicans and one Democrat voting in favor and 13 Democrats and one Republican in opposition. The Florida House of Representatives followed suit on March 9, approving the bill 76-41, with 76 Republicans voting in favor and 41 Democrats in opposition.[41]

### Voting rights rules changed for people convicted of a felony (2020)[edit]

On May 24, 2020, Judge Robert Hinkle, of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida, ruled that a state law requiring felons to pay all outstanding fines in order to be able to register to vote was unconstitutional. Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) indicated the state would appeal the decision.[42][43][44]

Sitting en banc, the Eleventh Circuit took up the case and stayed the district court's order, allowing the state to enforce the requirement pending its decision. The stay was appealed to the Supreme Court of the United States. On July 16, 2020, the Supreme Court declined to vacate the Eleventh Circuit's stay, allowing for the continued enforcement of the law in question. Associate Justices Sonia Sotomayor, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, and Elena Kagan dissented.[45]

On September 11, 2020, the Eleventh Circuit upheld the challenged law by a vote of 6-4. The full text of the court's majority and dissenting opinions can be accessed here.[46][47]

### Florida Amendment 4, Voting Rights Restoration for Felons Initiative (2018)[edit]

See also: Florida Amendment 4, Voting Rights Restoration for Felons Initiative (2018)

On November 6, 2018, Florida voters approved an initiated constitutional amendment automatically restoring the right to vote for people with certain felony convictions (except those convicted of murder or a felony sexual offense) upon completion of their sentences, including prison, parole, and probation. The amendment was approved by a margin of 64.55 percent to 34.45 percent. The amendment took effect on January 8, 2019. Previously, people convicted of a felony in Florida could not automatically regain the right to vote; instead, a state board was able to restore voting rights on an individual basis.

### Federal judge blocks secretary of state's order prohibiting early voting on college campuses (2018)[edit]

On July 24, 2018, a federal judge barred enforcement of an opinion issued by the Florida secretary of state in 2014, prohibiting the use of college campus sites as early voting locations. Judge Mark E. Walker, appointed by President Barack Obama (D) in 2012 to the United States District Court for the Northern District of Florida, wrote: "Simply put, Defendant's Opinion reveals a stark pattern of discrimination. It is unexplainable on grounds other than age because it bears so heavily on younger voters than all other voters. Defendant's stated interests for the Opinion (following state law, avoiding parking issues, and minimizing on-campus disruption) reek of pretext. While the Opinion does not identify college students by name, its target population is unambiguous and its effects are lopsided. The Opinion is intentionally and facially discriminatory." Walker barred the secretary of state from enforcing the 2014 opinion, though he did not order election officials to designate early voting sites on college campuses, leaving such action to the discretion of local officials.[48]

Patricia Brigham, president of the League of Women Voters of Florida, which was a plaintiff to the suit, praised Walker's decision: "This is truly a victory for the citizens of Florida, especially with so many young people motivated to vote. This is the right decision, at the right time, for our democratic process." In a statement, a spokesman for Governor Rick Scott (R) said, "Governor Scott is proud to have signed the largest expansion of early voting in the state's history. We will review this ruling." Scott's office did not indicate whether the state would appeal Walker's decision.[49]

## Election policy ballot measures[edit]

See also: Elections and campaigns on the ballot and List of Florida ballot measures

Ballotpedia has tracked the following ballot measures relating to election and campaign policy in Florida.

1. Florida Amendment 2, Economic Impact Statements for Initiatives Amendment (2002)
2. Florida Amendment 2, Requirements for Citizens' Initiatives Amendment (2004)
3. Florida Amendment 1, Ethic Requirements and Procedures of Public Officials and Candidates Initiative (1976)
4. Florida Amendment 11, Nonpartisan School Board Elections, Ballot Access Requirements, Public Campaign Financing, and Election Processes Amendment (1998)
5. Florida Amendment 5, County Commissioners Amendment (1984)
6. Florida Amendment 1, Suspension or Delay of Elections for Emergencies Amendment (1992)
7. Florida Amendment 2, Supreme and Appellate Court Judges Amendment (1976)
8. Florida Amendment 11, Judge of the Court of Record of Escambia County Amendment (1948)
9. Florida Amendment 6, Judge of the Court of Record and County Solicitor for Escambia County Amendment (1946)
10. Florida Amendment 4, Election of Circuit Judges Amendment (1942)
11. Florida State and Local Bonds Amendment (1930)
12. Florida School Districts and Tax Levy Amendment (1928)
13. Florida County Commissioner Districts Amendment (1900)
14. Florida November General Elections Amendment (October 1896)
15. Florida Amendment 1, Election of Executive Officials Amendment (1963)
16. Florida Amendment 1, Partisan School Board Elections Amendment (2024)
17. Florida Amendment 3, Top-Two Open Primaries for State Offices Initiative (2020)
18. Florida Top-Two Open Primaries for State Offices Initiative (2026)
19. Florida Amendment 7, Selection of Circuit and County Judges Amendment (1998)
20. Florida Amendment 6, Repeal of Public Financing for Statewide Campaigns Amendment (2024)
21. Florida Amendment 2, Conduction of Elections Amendment (1968)
22. Florida Allow Electronic Signatures for Initiative Petitions or Candidate Ballot Access Initiative (2026)
23. Florida Require Insurance Rate Reductions for Policies with No Claims in Past Year Initiative (2026)
24. Florida Allow School Board Appointment of Superintendents Amendment (May 1968)

## Recent legislation related to election administration in Florida[edit]

The table below lists bills related to election administration that have been introduced during (or carried over to) the current legislative session in Florida. The following information is included for each bill:

* State
* Bill number
* Official bill name or caption
* Most recent action date
* Legislative status
* Sponsor party
* Topics dealt with by the bill

Bills are organized by most recent action. The table displays up to 100 results. To view more bills, use the arrows in the upper-right corner. Clicking on a bill will open its page on Ballotpedia's Election Administration Legislation Tracker, which includes bill details and a summary.

### Explore election legislation with Ballotpedia[edit]

* Try Ballotpedia's Election Administration Legislation Tracker

Ballotpedia's Election Administration Legislation Tracker provides daily updates on legislative activity related to election policy in all 50 states.

Our election policy experts translate complex bill text into easy-to-understand summaries. And because it's from Ballotpedia, our legislation tracker is guaranteed to be neutral, unbiased, and nonpartisan.

Search bills

* Read Ballotpedia's State of Election Administration Legislation Reports

Ballotpedia publishes regular analysis of election administration legislation, including three full reports per year, providing ongoing coverage of legislative activity affecting election policy in each state.

These reports deliver insights into partisan priorities, dive deep into notable trends, and highlight activity in key states.

Read the latest report

Subscribe to The Ballot Bulletin

The Ballot Bulletin is a weekly email that delivers the latest updates on election policy.

The newsletter tracks developments in election policy around the country, including legislative activity, big-picture trends, and recent news. Each email contains in-depth data from our Election Administration Legislation Tracker.

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## Ballot access[edit]

See also: Ballot access requirements for political candidates in Florida

In order to get on the ballot in Florida, a candidate for state or federal office must meet a variety of state-specific filing requirements and deadlines. These regulations, known as ballot access laws, determine whether a candidate or party will appear on an election ballot. These laws are set at the state level. A candidate must prepare to meet ballot access requirements well in advance of primaries, caucuses, and the general election.

There are three basic methods by which an individual may become a candidate for office in a state.

1. An individual can seek the nomination of a state-recognized political party.
2. An individual can run as an independent. Independent candidates often must petition in order to have their names printed on the general election ballot.
3. An individual can run as a write-in candidate.

This article outlines the steps that prospective candidates for state-level and congressional office must take in order to run for office in Florida. For information about filing requirements for presidential candidates, click here. Information about filing requirements for local-level offices is not available in this article (contact state election agencies for information about local candidate filing processes).

## Redistricting[edit]

See also: Redistricting in Florida

Redistricting is the process by which new congressional and state legislative district boundaries are drawn. Each of Florida's 28 United States Representatives and 160 state legislators are elected from political divisions called districts. United States Senators are not elected by districts, but by the states at large. District lines are redrawn every 10 years following completion of the United States census. The federal government stipulates that districts must have nearly equal populations and must not discriminate on the basis of race or ethnicity.[50][51][52][53]

Florida was apportioned 28 seats in the U.S. House of Representatives after the 2020 census, one more than it received after the 2010 census. Click here for more information about redistricting in Florida after the 2020 census.

HIGHLIGHTS

* Following the 2020 United States Census, Florida was apportioned 28 congressional districts, one more than the number it had after the 2010 census.

* Florida's House of Representatives is made up of 120 districts; Florida's State Senate is made up of 40 districts.

* In Florida, both congressional and state legislative district lines are drawn by the state legislature.

### State process[edit]

See also: State-by-state redistricting procedures

In Florida, both congressional and state legislative district lines are drawn by the state legislature. Congressional lines are adopted as regular legislation and are subject to gubernatorial veto. State legislative lines are passed via joint resolution and are not subject to gubernatorial veto. State legislative district maps are automatically submitted to the Florida Supreme Court for approval. In the event that the court rejects the lines, the legislature is given a second chance to draft a plan. If the legislature cannot approve a state legislative redistricting plan, the state attorney general must ask the state supreme court to draft a plan. There are no similar procedures in place for congressional districts.[54]

The Florida Constitution requires that all districts, whether congressional or state legislative, be contiguous. Also, "where doing so does not conflict with minority rights, [districts] must be compact and utilize existing political and geographical boundaries where feasible." Districts cannot be drawn in such a way as to "favor or disfavor a political party or incumbent."[54][55]

## Election administration agencies[edit]

### Election agencies[edit]

Seal of the U.S. Election Assistance Commission

See also: State election agencies

Individuals seeking additional information about election administration in Florida can contact the following local, state, and federal agencies.

Florida County Supervisors of Elections

Click here for a list

Florida Division of Elections

R. A. Gray Building, Room 316

500 South Bronough Street

Tallahassee, Florida 32399-0250

Phone: 850-245-6200

Fax: 850-245-6217

Email: DivElections@dos.state.fl.us

Website: http://election.dos.state.fl.us/

U.S. Election Assistance Commission

633 3rd Street NW, Suite 200
Washington, DC 20001
Phone: 301-563-3919
Toll free: 1-866-747-1471
Email: clearinghouse@eac.gov
Website: https://www.eac.gov

## Ballotpedia's election coverage[edit]

Click the tiles below to navigate to 2025 election coverage:

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Democratic primaries 2026

* United States Senate Democratic Party primaries, 2026
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Republican primaries 2026

* United States Senate Republican Party primaries, 2026
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* Republican Party Secretary of State primaries, 2026
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* State legislative Republican primaries, 2026

## See also[edit]

* State of Election Administration Legislation Reports
* Factors affecting the speed of ballot counting and delivery of unofficial election results
* Voting in Florida
* Ballot access requirements for political candidates in Florida
* Redistricting in Florida

### Elections in Florida[edit]

* Florida elections, 2025
* Florida elections, 2024
* Florida elections, 2023
* Florida elections, 2022
* Florida elections, 2021
* Florida elections, 2020
* Florida elections, 2019
* Florida elections, 2018
* Florida elections, 2017
* Florida elections, 2016
* Florida elections, 2015
* Florida elections, 2014

## External links[edit]

* Florida Secretary of State - Elections

## Footnotes[edit]

1. ↑ Florida Secretary of State, "FAQ - Voting," accessed July 23, 2024
2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Florida Division of Elections, "National Voter Registration Act (NVRA)," accessed July 23, 2024
3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 Florida Division of Elections, "Register to Vote or Update your Information," accessed July 23, 2024
4. ↑ Florida Department of State, "Florida Voter Registration Application Instructions and Form," accessed November 1, 2024
5. ↑ Under federal law, the national mail voter registration application (a version of which is in use in all states with voter registration systems) requires applicants to indicate that they are U.S. citizens in order to complete an application to vote in state or federal elections, but does not require voters to provide documentary proof of citizenship. According to the U.S. Department of Justice, the application "may require only the minimum amount of information necessary to prevent duplicate voter registrations and permit State officials both to determine the eligibility of the applicant to vote and to administer the voting process."
6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 6.4 Florida Division of Elections, "Vote-by-Mail," accessed July 23, 2024
7. ↑ Florida Department of State, "Military and Overseas Citizens Voting," accessed July 23, 2024
8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 The Florida Senate, "CS/CS/CS/SB 90: Elections," accessed May 25, 2021
9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
10. ↑ Florida Division of Elections, "Election Day Voting," accessed October 6, 2025
11. ↑ Florida Division of Elections, "Florida History: Voter ID at the Polls," accessed October 6, 2025
12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 Florida Division of Elections, "FAQ - Voting," accessed October 6, 2025
13. ↑ Walton County Supervisor of Elections, "Provisional Ballots," accessed October 6, 2025
14. ↑ National Conference of State Legislatures, "Provisional Ballots," accessed October 6, 2025
15. ↑ National Conference of State Legislatures, "State Primary Election Types," accessed July 23, 2024
16. ↑ Florida Division of Elections, "Closed Primary Election," accessed July 23, 2024
17. ↑ NOLO, "Taking Time Off to Vote," accessed July 2, 2025
18. ↑ Florida Statutes-Online Sunshine, "2023 Florida Statute Title IX § 98.0751," accessed July 23, 2024
19. ↑ National Conference of State Legislatures, "Felon Voting Rights," accessed July 23, 2024
20. ↑ As of May 2024, the Justice Department notes, "Six States (Idaho, Minnesota, New Hampshire, North Dakota, Wisconsin, and Wyoming) are exempt from the NVRA because, on and after August 1, 1994, they either had no voter-registration requirements or had election-day voter registration at polling places with respect to elections for federal office."
21. ↑ The United States Department of Justice, "The National Voter Registration Act of 1993," accessed May 29, 2024
22. ↑ The Florida Senate, "2023 Florida Statutes, Title IX § 98-045," accessed July 23, 2024
23. ↑ 23.0 23.1 The Florida Senate, "2023 Florida Statutes, Title IX § 98-065," accessed July 23, 2024 Cite error: Invalid `<ref>` tag; name "fl065" defined multiple times with different content
24. ↑ The Florida Senate, "2023 Florida Statutes, Title IX § 98-0655," accessed July 23, 2024
25. ↑ The Florida Senate, "2023 Florida Statutes, Title IX § 98-075," accessed July 23, 2024
26. ↑ ERIC, "FAQ," accessed May 29, 2024
27. ↑ ERIC, "Who We Are," accessed May 29, 2024
28. ↑ Florida Secretary of State, “PRESS RELEASE: Florida Withdraws From Electronic Registration Information Center (ERIC) Amid Concerns About Data Privacy and Blatant Partisanship,” March 6, 2023
29. ↑ Electronic Registration Information Center, "Who We Are," accessed April 3, 2023
30. ↑ National Conference of State Legislatures, "Post-Election Audits," accessed July 23, 2024
31. ↑ 31.0 31.1 National Conference of State Legislatures, "Post-Election Audits," accessed July 2, 2025
32. ↑ Election Assistance Commission, "Election Audits Across the United States," accessed July 2, 2025
33. ↑ Ballotpedia research conducted in October 2024, researching and analyzing various state websites and codes.
34. ↑ 34.0 34.1 34.2 34.3 34.4 34.5 34.6 34.7 United States District Court for the Northern District of Florida, "League of Women Voters of Florida, Inc. v. Lee: Final Order Following Bench Trial," March 31, 2022
35. ↑ League of Women Voters of Florida, "LEAGUE VICTORY: Federal Court Strikes Down Florida Voter Suppression Law (Senate Bill 90)," March 31, 2022
36. ↑ Governing, "Judge Overrules Most of Florida’s 2021 Election Law," March 31, 2022
37. ↑ Twitter, "Chris Sprowls: 3:05 PM · Mar 31, 2022," March 31, 2022
38. ↑ Above the Law, "District Courts Telling Supreme Court To Buzz Off Right And Left," April 4, 2022
39. ↑ Election Law Blog, "Breaking: Federal District Court Strikes Down Restrictive Florida Voting Rules, Imposes Requirement That Florida Submit Certain Voting Changes to Court for Preclearance Under Section 3(c) of Voting Rights Act Upon Finding of Intentional Discrimination; Appeal Likely," March 31, 2022
40. ↑ 40.0 40.1 United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit, "League of Women Voters of Florida, Inc. v. Lee: Order of the Court," May 6, 2022
41. ↑ 41.0 41.1 The Florida Senate, "CS/CS/SB 524: Election Administration," accessed April 28, 2022
42. ↑ Online Sunshine, "The 2019 Florida Statutes," accessed October 17, 2019
43. ↑ Ballot Access News, "Eleventh Circuit Agrees with U.S. District Court that Ex-Felons Who Can’t Afford to Pay Restitution and Fines Must be Allowed to Register to Vote," February 19, 2020
44. ↑ Orlando Sentinel, "DeSantis to appeal Amendment 4 ruling that allows ex-felons to vote," May 26, 2020
45. ↑ Supreme Court of the United States, "Raysor v. DeSantis: On Application to Vacate Stay," July 16, 2020
46. ↑ United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit, "Jones v. DeSantis: Opinion," September 11, 2020
47. ↑ The New York Times, "Ex-Felons in Florida Must Pay Fines Before Voting, Appeals Court Rules," September 11, 2020
48. ↑ United States District Court for the Northern District of Florida, "League of Women Voters of Florida v. Detzner: Order Granting Plaintiffs' Motion for Preliminary Injunction," July 24, 2018
49. ↑ Tampa Bay Times, "Judge: Florida’s early voting-on-campus ban shows ‘stark pattern of discrimination,’" July 24, 2018
50. ↑ All About Redistricting, "Why does it matter?" accessed April 8, 2015
51. ↑ Indy Week, "Cracked, stacked and packed: Initial redistricting maps met with skepticism and dismay," June 29, 2011
52. ↑ The Atlantic, "How the Voting Rights Act Hurts Democrats and Minorities," June 17, 2013
53. ↑ Redrawing the Lines, "The Role of Section 2 - Majority Minority Districts," accessed April 6, 2015
54. ↑ 54.0 54.1 All About Redistricting, "Florida," accessed April 22, 2015
55. ↑ Florida Constitution, "Article III, Sections 20-21," accessed April 22, 2015

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