The 2022 midterm primary and general elections are upon us. Scroll for important dates, facts, and links to inform you about this election season.
Early voting is now open for Miami-Dade County primaries!
ELECTION FACTS
Every two years, Florida holds a primary election eleven weeks before the general election. During the primary election, voters registered as members of a political party vote on the candidate that their political party will nominate to run in the general election, in which nominees from multiple political parties (and, typically, non-party/independent candidates) face off in national and state races. In addition, primary elections usually include non-partisan races for local representatives, and they enable local voters to support or oppose initiatives affecting their voting districts. All registered voters—regardless of political party membership—may vote in non-partisan local elections within their municipalities and districts. Florida’s primary election date is Tuesday, August 23, 2022. This year, Florida will also have a gubernatorial election to select a state governor for the next four years. The gubernatorial election will be included in the general election, which will take place on Tuesday, November 8, 2022. State and local elections matter. Historically, state and local elections have a much lower voter turnout than presidential elections even though state and municipal governments are responsible for administering public services that affect most voters’ daily lives. For example, state and local elections often impact police department budgeting, education reform, state and county courts, infrastructure funding, and zoning. Low voter turnout for state and local elections can result in certain demographics being over- or under-represented and can result in victories for or against candidates and ballot measures by narrow margins.
Who can register to vote?
Citizens of the United States who are at least 18 years old may register to vote in Florida. Florida residents at least 16 years old may preregister to vote in elections occurring on or after their 18th birthday.
Persons convicted of a felony other than murder or a sexual offense who have completed all terms of their sentence may register to vote.
Who cannot register to vote?
Persons who are not U.S. citizens, including persons that hold a Permanent Resident Card (i.e., a Green Card);
Persons adjudicated mentally incapacitated to vote who have not had their voting rights restored; and
Persons convicted of a felony who have not had their voting rights restored.
- Persons convicted of a felony may apply to the State Board of Executive Clemency for voting rights restoration. - If you are unsure about whether you can vote, you can speak to an attorney, find an organization dedicated to the restoration of rights, or seek an advisory opinion from the Florida Division of Elections. Click here to learn more about Amendment 4 to the Florida Constitution and for additional resources relating to restoration of the right to vote to convicted felons in Florida.
How to register to vote or update your existing record:
In person: Signed voter registration application forms may be personally delivered to local supervisors of elections.
Voter registration forms may be downloaded and printed from RegistertoVoteFlorida.gov, and printed forms are typically available at election department offices, Florida Department of Motor Vehicles service centers, public libraries, county government offices, state public assistance agencies, and recruiting offices for the United States Armed Forces.
Online: RegistertoVoteFlorida.gov
By mail: Supervisor of Elections P.O. Box 521550 Miami, Florida 33152
Before voting, first-time voters who register to vote by mail must provide the Division of Elections a photocopy of a current and valid photo identification that includes the voter’s name and current residential address.
Third Party Voter Registration Organizations
Voters can review a sample ballot before voting. This can help voters be informed about what issues and candidates will be on the ballot before casting their vote at a polling location or by mail. If you are voting in Miami-Dade County, you can find your Sample Ballot available here.
WAYS TO VOTE
Early Voting – Early voting enables casting a ballot prior to Election Day at polling locations specially designated by the Supervisor of Elections. The voting equipment used for early voting is the same as the equipment used on Election Day. Early voters may vote at any specially designated early voting polling location in Miami-Dade County during the early voting period. In contrast, on Election Day, voters must vote at their respective designated polling places. View Miami-Dade County’s early voting dates and polling locations here. Vote by Mail – Voters have the option of voting from the convenience of their own home by requesting and submitting a mail-in ballot. To request a mail-in ballot, call (305) 499-VOTE or visit www.iamelectionready.org. All requests for mail-in ballots must be received by the Division of Elections at least ten days before the election. For more information about requesting a mail ballot, click here. In Miami-Dade County, the Supervisor of Elections must receive a vote-by-mail ballot before 7:00 p.m. on Election Day for it to be counted. Vote-by-mail ballots should be mailed to:
Supervisor of Elections P.O. Box 521650 Miami, Florida 33152
Election Day Voting - On Election Day, you must go to your assigned precinct. All polling places are open from 7:00 a.m. until 7:00 p.m. on Election Day. It is important that voters notify the Elections Department if they have moved, so that they may be directed to the correct polling place.
Voters in Miami-Dade County can locate their assigned polling place by checking their voter information card, calling 305-499-VOTE, or going to the Elections Department’s website at www.iamelectionready.org. Voters will also be able to find their precinct information online.
IMPORTANT DATES
Florida Primary Election
Register to vote by July 23, 2022
Request a mail-in ballot by October 29, 2022, no later than 5:00 p.m. Florida statewide early voting window: August 13, 2022, through and including August 20, 2022
o Miami-Dade County expanded early voting window: August 8, 2022, through and including August 21, 2022
Primary Election Day: Tuesday, August 23, 2022
Florida General Midterm Election
Register to vote by October 11, 2022
Request a mail-in ballot by August 13, 2022, no later than 5:00 p.m.
Florida statewide early voting window: October 29, 2022, through and including November 5, 2022
o Miami-Dade County expanded early voting window: October 24, 2022, through and including November 6, 2022
Midterm Election Day: Tuesday, November 8, 2022 Note: early voting may include additional dates. Check with your county Supervisor of Elections for additional days that may be offered in your county.
WHAT DO I NEED TO BRING WHEN I VOTE?
Photo identification is required when voting in person, whether at an early voting site or at a polling place on Election Day. Voters must bring a current and valid identification that contains their (1) name, (2) photograph, and (3) signature. If a voter does not have an ID with a picture and signature, then they must provide a (1) picture ID and (2) signature ID from the approved list available here. It is not required that voters bring their voter information card to the polling place. However, it may expedite the check-in process to have it with you.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Florida Statewide Elections Website: https://dos.myflorida.com/elections/for-voters/
Miami-Dade County Elections Website: https://www.miamidade.gov/global/elections/home.page
Miami-Dade County Elections Phone Numbers:
Customer Service: 305-499-VOTE (8683)
Fax: 305-499-8547
TTY: 305-499-8480
Happy voting!