The primaries will be Jan. 28, and the special election will be April 1. Resignation deadline for candidates holding office is Monday, Nov. 25.
Florida Department of State Announces Special Election Dates for Vacated Florida Congressional District
Today, Governor Ron DeSantis issued Executive Order 24?262, which sets the dates for the Special Election for Florida’s First Congressional District, a district that represents Escambia, Santa Rosa and Okaloosa Counties, and a portion of Walton County. The dates for the Special Primary Election will be held on Tuesday, January 28, 2025, and the Special General Election will be held on Tuesday, April 1, 2025.
“At Governor Ron DeSantis’ direction, this Special Election is being conducted as quickly as statutorily possible,” said Florida Secretary of State Cord Byrd. “We are committed to ensuring this election is held as soon as we are allowed to hold it by state law.”
Special elections are governed by federal and state laws that provide specific dates and deadlines for local election officials to conduct the elections. State law lays out specific requirements for an election that include minimum periods of time for qualifying, primaries, mail and early voting, and general elections. The timeline for conducting a special election follows the timeline applicable for general elections. See § 100.191, Florida Statutes. The timeline below includes important dates for the Special Election for Florida Congressional District 1. Visit dos.fl.gov/elections for more information.
Timeline
11/22/2024 Governor issues Executive Order 24-262
11/24/2024 Advertisement of Notice of Election
At least 10 days before Qualifying. (See § 100.141, Florida Statutes)
11/25/2024 Last day to submit notice of resignation
No later than 10 days before first day of Qualifying. (See § 99.012, Florida Statutes)
12/5-6/2024 Qualifying Period
One and one-half days starting at 8:00a.m. on the first day and ending at noon on the second day. (See § 100.111(2)(a), Florida Statutes)
12/14/2024 Vote-By-Mail Ballots Sent to Absent Stateside and Overseas Military and U.S. Civilians
Begins 45 days before an election (See § 101.62, Florida Statutes; 52 U.S.C. §§ 20301–20311, Uniformed and Overseas Citizens and Absentee Voting Act)
12/19/2024 Vote-By-Mail Ballots Sent to Domestic Voters
Seven-day window starts 40 days and ends 33 days before an election. (See § 101.62, Florida Statutes)
12/30/2024 Book Closing for Special Primary
1/18-25/2025 Early Voting
Eight-day mandatory window starts 10 days before an election and ending the Saturday before election day. (See § 101.657, Florida Statutes)
1/28/2025 Special Primary Election Day
2/11/2025 Deadline for Elections Canvassing Commission to certify results of Special Primary Election
14 days after Special Primary (See §§ 100.191 and 102.111(2), Florida Statutes)
2/15/2025 Vote-By-Mail Ballots Sent to Absent Stateside and Overseas Military and U.S. Civilians
Begins 45 days before an election (See § 101.62, Florida Statutes; 52 U.S.C. §§ 20301–20311, Uniformed and Overseas Citizens and Absentee Voting Act)
2/20/2025 Vote-By-Mail Ballots Sent to Domestic Voters
Seven-day window starts 40 days and ends 33 days before an election. (See § 101.62, Florida Statutes)
3/3/2025 Book Closing for Special Primary
3/22-29/2025 Early Voting
Eight-day mandatory window starts 10 days before and election and ending the Saturday before election day. (See § 101.657, Florida Statutes)
4/1/2025 Special General Election Day
