A Guide for Florida First-Time Voters: All You Need Is Info

All the links, dates and more.

You’ve been meaning to do it… But something always comes up and you’re still not registered to vote. Except now it’s different. Now you want your voice to be heard, and a candidate that aligns with your core values. Especially because you realize that when you vote in the U.S., you’re also voting for those in Puerto Rico who can’t vote in the general presidential election, even though policy created here can affect them back home in la isla. 

What you need:

• To be eligible to vote in a Florida election you must be a U.S. Citizen and a resident of the state; be 18 years of age on election day; not be declared mentally unfit with respect to voting in any state; and not be convicted of a felony without your voting rights having been restored. 
• You may also pre-register to vote if you’re 16 years old or have received a valid Florida driver’s license—whichever comes first.
• You can apply to register to vote at any time. But to vote in an election you must be registered in the state 29 days before the election.
• To register you must provide your current ID with photo and signature, such as your valid Florida driver license, a Florida state ID, or a U.S. Passport.
• If you don’t have any of those, you can still register with other forms of ID: debit or credit card, Military ID, Student ID, Retirement center ID, Neighborhood association ID, Public assistance ID, Veterans health ID card, license to carry concealed weapon or firearm, or an Employee ID card issued by an entity of the Federal Government, or of FL, county, or municipality.

Where to apply: 

1. Online at RegisterToVoteFlorida.gov 
2. Florida driver’s license office. Or when renewing your driver’s license online through the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles’ renewal system. They also provide Florida Licensing on Wheels (FLOW), a mobile service that visits special locations to provide identification cards as well as help you register to vote. 
3.  Tax collector’s office that issues driver’s licenses or Florida identification cards. 
4. A voter registration agency . 
5. By mail. Paper application forms can be found at any County Supervisor of Elections office, local library, or any entity authorized by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. The form contains information on how to submit it.

What are the dates?

The deadline to register for an upcoming election is 29 days before the election. The deadline for the primary (which takes place on March 17) was February 18, and for the general election, you can register up to October 5.

For more info, visit the page of the Florida Division of Elections.