The 2022 midterm election season is upon us. Scroll to learn more about elections in Florida, recent primary election results, and resources to encourage voter turnout in local and statewide elections.
ELECTION FACTS
Every two years, Florida holds a primary election 11 weeks before the general election.
In primary elections, voters who are registered members of a political party vote on candidate(s) that their political party will nominate to run in the general election. In the general elections, nominees from multiple political parties (and, typically, non-party/independent candidates) face off in national and statewide 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 such non-partisan local elections. Florida’s primary election date was Tuesday, August 23, 2022; click hereto view the results.
While many statewide partisan races and local court and commissioner races were decided in the primaries, several run-off elections will take place in November 2022 during the midterm general election. Run-off races arise when more than two candidates run for the same seat and no candidate receives more than 50% of the total vote. The two candidates who received the greatest number of votes in the primary elections will be placed back on the ballot during the midterm general election. The Miami Herald reported that voters elected three Miami-Dade County commissioners during the primary election, but two races will be determined in a run-off election. According to The Florida Bar, 39 circuit and county court judicial races in Florida were decided during this year’s primary election, but 12 judicial races (three for circuit court and nine county court seats) will require candidates to face off again in run-off elections this November.
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 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, public 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 underrepresented and 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
Tuesday, August 23, 2022
Florida General Midterm Election
Register to vote by October 11, 2022
Request a mail-in ballot before 5 p.m. on October 29, 2022
In Miami-Dade County, the early voting period is October 24, 2022 through November 6, 2022.
Midterm Election Day: Tuesday, November 8, 2022
Precincts are open from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Mail-in ballots must be received, regardless of postmark, by the Supervisor of Elections' office no later than 7:00 p.m.
VOTER IDENTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS
Photo identification is required to vote in person, whether at a designated early voting site or at a polling place on Election Day. Each in-person voter must bring a current and valid identification that includes his or her (1) name, (2) photograph, and (3) signature. If a voter does not have identification meeting those requirements, he or she must present alternative identification from an approved list available here. Although voters are not required to present voter information cards to vote in person on Election Day, it may expedite the check-in process.
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!
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