 Please take a few minutes to read the following about voting in Florida. It should answer your questions about voter registration, election dates, and the availability of absentee ballots. If you would like any additional information, please call the Supervisor of Elections office. We encourage you to participate in the process of deciding issues and electing our federal, state and local officials.
First Time Voters Who Register By Mail
Book Closing Dates
You can apply to register to vote at any time. If you register for the first time in Florida, you must be registered in the county where you live by the book closing date, which is 29 days before each election. If you move within the state, you will be required to make an address change before you are allowed to vote in your new county.
Election Dates
A General Election is held in November of every even-numbered year. The Primary Election, which precedes each November General Election is normally scheduled during September. Additionally, a Presidential Preference Primary is scheduled in March of Presidential election years. Special elections may be called at any time during the year.
Party Affiliation
Party changes must be made by the end of the 29 th day before the Primary Election. Party changes requested after the books close for the Primary Election do not become effective until after the General Election.
Residence Address
If you move within a county after you have registered to vote, please notify your Supervisor of Elections in writing as soon as possible. If you move to another Florida county and wish to be eligible to vote,
If you move to another Florida county and wish to be eligible to vote, you must change your address of residence to your new county.
Voter Registration Changes
Absentee Ballots
Call your Supervisor of Elections office to ask about an absentee ballot as soon as you know that you will be unable to go to the polls on Election Day. Specify the election(s) for which you wish to receive an absentee ballot and provide a mailing address. Check with your elections office if you need more information.
Florida Voter Registration Act
A description of Floridas implementation of the National Voter Registration Act, better known as "Motor Voter", which provides for changes in voter registration procedures.
Poll Workers
Poll workers are needed for every election. If you would like to become a poll worker, please call your Supervisor of Elections office.
Helpful Hints
Make sure all information on your voter information card is correct.
If you do not know the location of your polling place, call your Supervisor of Elections office for directions BEFORE election day.
Prior to voting you are required to present a picture identification and a signature.
On Election Day the polls are open from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. and are normally less busy during mid-morning and mid-afternoon.
First time voters who register by mail
If you register by mail and you are a first-time voter in the county, you are required to provide additional identification. To assure that you will not have problems when you go to vote you should provide a copy of the required identification at the time you mail your voter registration form. If you are voting an absentee ballot you must provide the proper identification prior to 7 pm election day or your absentee ballot will not count. You may provide a copy of a photo identification, a copy of a current and valid utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck, or other government document containing your name and current residence address. Do not send original identification documents to the supervisor of elections.
IMPORTANT NOTE
On October 29, 2002, federal legislation called the Help America Vote Act of 2002 (HAVA) was signed into law. Florida legislation was recently passed to incorporate HAVA into Florida election laws. One element of HAVA requires that individuals who register by mail on or after January 1, 2003 and have not previously been registered in Wakulla County and do not qualify for one of several exemptions, must provide a copy of a current and valid identification along with their mailed application. For further information you should call the Wakulla County Supervisor of Elections at 850.926.7575.
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