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ABATE of Florida, Inc.
Page 16
Florida's Voting Laws
If you are a resident of Florida and feel strongly about many of the political issues that
face you, your family, Florida and the entire nation right now it is critical that you register
to vote and make sure that your voice is heard.
The Registration Process
In Florida, you can register to vote at any time. But keep in mind that Florida maintains a closing date for
registration to vote in a particular election. This is important for voters to realize because if you miss the
closing date you can’t vote in the election. This is why it’s critical to register to vote as soon as possible.
Closing dates in Florida are 29 days prior to the elections or, July 26, 2010 for the primary election of August
24, 2010, and October 4, 2010 for the general election of November 2, 2010. In other words, register to
vote today! If you wish to vote in a primary, Florida is a “closed primary state”, you must be a registered
member of one of the political parties for which you intend to vote. For example, voters registered as independent,
or a member of the “Green Party”, can’t vote in the Republican or Democratic primaries. The only
exception to this rule is a 1998 Florida constitutional amendment that states that if all candidates share the
same party affiliation, all registered voters regardless of party can vote in the primary election.
The General Election Process
The General Election is always held in November of even-numbered years with the Primary Election taking
place 10 weeks before the General Election. During presidential election years, every four years, the presidential
primary in Florida is held in January. Keep in mind that the presidential primary and the Primary
Election are two different voting events. So if you would like to vote in the presidential primary, you need to
make sure you are registered in time. In other words, register to vote today!
The Absentee Ballot Process
If you are a resident of Florida but will not be in Florida during the election, you have the right to request an
absentee ballot. To obtain an absentee ballot simply contact your local office of Supervisor of Elections either
in person, in writing, or over the phone and request a ballot. It’s very important to include all of the required
information or your request can be denied. After you send in your request, make sure to call the office
to follow up with the process. Don’t assume that you will receive your ballot until you’ve received confirmation
back in writing.
Change of Address Process
If you moved and have a change of address to another county, you need to fill out a Florida Voter Registration
Application again to provide notice of your new address. This application can be obtained from your
local office of Supervisor of Elections. It’s important to have your correct address on file because Florida law
requires you to vote in the precinct where you live. If you go to the wrong precinct, you won’t be allowed to
vote. Make sure you are aware of your correct voting precinct before Election Day so that you don’t run into
any problems.
Voting is a Right
Remember, voting is a right and not a privilege; no one can stop you from voting. However, you still need to
follow and obey Florida’s voting laws in order to enjoy that right. The laws are in place in order to keep elections
fair for all candidates. Make sure you understand the rules, register early, and on election night, make
your voice heard!