New voters have until Tuesday, October 11 to register to vote so they are eligible to cast a ballot in the Nov. 8 midterm election.
Florida residents can register to vote online at https://registertovoteflorida.gov/home or through their county supervisor of elections office.
“We know Floridians have been through a lot over the past two weeks, and we need to ensure that every eligible voter is able to have their voice heard at the ballot box this year,” said Amy Keith, Common Cause Florida’s program director.
Florida does not allow same-day registration, unlike 21 other states which allow eligible voters to register and cast their ballot on the same day during early voting on Election Day.
That makes Tuesday’s deadline the last chance for people who recently moved to Florida, who will have turned 18 by Election Day, or who hadn’t previously voted in the state to register to vote and have their say in the Nov. 8 election.
This election will be more complicated for voters, given the catastrophic damages some parts of the state experienced from Hurricane Ian just a few weeks before early voting starts statewide on Oct. 29. That comes on top of significant changes to election laws over the last two years that may make it more difficult for some people to vote.
There is no deadline to update your voting address in Florida. Registered Florida voters can update their address at any early voting location in the county where they now live or at the Election Day polling place for their new residence, Keith said. People displaced by the storm can also have their local supervisor of elections office send a vote-by-mail ballot to a temporary address where they are currently staying.
Anyone with questions or who encounters voting problems can call or text the nonpartisan Election Protection Hotline at 866-OUR-VOTE (866-687-8683).
“This hurricane has left entire communities in our state trying to figure out how to rebuild and move forward, but it won’t stop people in this state from voting,” Keith said. “There are people standing by on our nonpartisan election hotline right now who are ready to help Floridians ensure their right to vote is intact and ready for November 8.”
Other important election-related dates for voters:
Now – Oct. 29: Voters can request vote-by-mail ballots through their county supervisor of elections offices.
Oct. 29 – Nov. 5: Early voting period. Some counties may offer additional early voting days starting Oct. 24.
Nov. 8, Election Day: Final day to vote in Florida’s general election
