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2026 Elections

How to Vote in Florida: 2026 Deadlines, Early Voting & Poll Hours

Everything you need to vote in Florida for the November 3, 2026 general election — when to register, when early voting opens, how to vote by mail, and when polls close.

Rules as of September 17, 2026 · verify at Florida's official election site

days

Election Day

November 3, 2026

Quick Answer

Register By
≈ Oct 5, 2026 (29 days before Election Day)
Early Voting
Opens ≈ Oct 24, 2026
Mail Ballot Request By
≈ Oct 22, 2026
Polls Close
7 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. CT (last close 8:00 p.m. ET)
Election Day
November 3, 2026

Build your Florida voting plan

Choose how you plan to vote and we'll narrow the checklist below to the steps and dates that apply to you.

  1. 1

    Register to vote online

    29 days before Election Day

    Official source →

    Oct 5, 2026

  2. 2

    Register to vote by mail

    29 days before Election Day

    Official source →

    Oct 5, 2026

  3. 3

    Early voting opens

    10 days before Election Day For elections with state and federal races — which 2026 is — supervisors of elections may open 11 to 15 days out (as early as Oct 19) and may end two days before. Check your county.

    Official source →

    Oct 24, 2026

    approximate

  4. 4

    Early voting closes

    3 days before Election Day

    Official source →

    See rule

  5. 5

    Election Day

    Polls close 7 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. CT (last polls close 8:00 p.m. ET). The panhandle votes on Central time, so Florida is not fully closed until 8 p.m. ET — the single most misread closing time in the country.

    Official source →

    Nov 3, 2026

What's on Your Florida Ballot

Every U.S. House seat is up for election every two years. Whether a U.S. Senate seat is also on the ballot depends on the state.

U.S. House of Representatives

All of Florida's U.S. House seats are on the 2026 ballot. View Florida's current delegation →

U.S. Senate

On the ballot

The November matchup: Ashley Moody (R) vs Angie Nixon (D).

Find your Florida representative and senators

Enter your address to see exactly who represents you before you vote.

Voter Registration in Florida

To vote in the November 3, 2026 general election, register by ≈ October 5, 2026 — 29 days before Election Day.

Dates marked ≈ are computed from state statute and can shift with county practice. Confirm your exact deadline and check your registration status at Florida's official site.

Early Voting in Florida

Early voting opens ≈ October 24, 2026 — 10 days before Election Day. It runs through 3 days before Election Day.

For elections with state and federal races — which 2026 is — supervisors of elections may open 11 to 15 days out (as early as Oct 19) and may end two days before. Check your county.

Confirm exact locations and hours — which vary by county — at Florida's official election site.

Voting by Mail in Florida

Any registered voter in Florida may request a mail ballot — no excuse required. Request deadline: 12 days before Election Day at 5 p.m..

Return rule: Must be received by 7 p.m. on Election Day

Details and request forms are at Florida's official election site.

Voter ID Requirements in Florida

A photo ID is requested, but a voter without one can still cast a ballot that counts without a later trip back — for example by signing an affidavit or having a provisional ballot verified some other way.

Provisional ballots are resolved by signature matching; no follow-up action is required of the voter.

See the full list of accepted ID at Florida's official election site.

Poll Hours in Florida

Polls are open until 7 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. CT on November 3, 2026 — because Florida spans more than one time zone, the last polls in the state close at 8:00 p.m. ET. The panhandle votes on Central time, so Florida is not fully closed until 8 p.m. ET — the single most misread closing time in the country.

See how Florida's closing time compares nationwide on the full poll closing times by state page, or confirm your local hours at Florida's official election site.

Live on Congress Countdown

Live countdown to Election Day — and every date in between

Registration deadlines, early voting, and the full 2026 election calendar.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the deadline to register to vote in Florida?

Online, the deadline is approximately October 5, 2026 (29 days before Election Day). Always confirm the exact date at https://dos.fl.gov/elections/for-voters/voter-registration/.

Can I vote early in person in Florida?

Yes. Early voting opens around October 24, 2026 (10 days before Election Day) and runs through 3 days before Election Day.

Do I need ID to vote in Florida?

A photo ID is requested, but a voter without one can still cast a ballot that counts without a later trip back — for example by signing an affidavit or having a provisional ballot verified some other way.

When do polls close in Florida?

Polls close 7 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. CT (the last polls in the state close 8:00 p.m. ET) on November 3, 2026.

How do I vote by mail in Florida?

Request a ballot (no excuse needed) — 12 days before Election Day at 5 p.m.. Must be received by 7 p.m. on Election Day

What if I miss Florida's registration deadline?

Florida does not offer same-day registration, so missing the deadline means you cannot vote in this election. Register early for next time at https://dos.fl.gov/elections/for-voters/voter-registration/.

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