Florida voters planning to cast their ballots by mail in this year’s primary election have until 5 p.m. on Aug. 6 to request a vote-by-mail ballot. The deadline comes as campaigns across the state intensify ahead of the Aug. 18 primary, with several statewide and congressional races featured in The Florida Pundit’s Florida Elections 2026 Hub.
County supervisors of elections have already begun mailing ballots to military members and overseas voters under federal law. Ballots for domestic voters are expected to begin arriving in mailboxes this week as election officials prepare for the Aug. 18 primary.
Unlike some states that automatically mail ballots to all registered voters, Florida requires voters to request a vote-by-mail ballot for each election cycle. Residents who voted by mail during the 2024 election must submit a new request if they wish to vote by mail this year.
How to request a vote-by-mail ballot
Registered voters may request a ballot through their county Supervisor of Elections office by:
- Completing an online request through their county elections website.
- Calling their local Supervisor of Elections office.
- Submitting a written request by mail.
Florida law requires voters requesting a ballot to verify their identity using identifying information such as the last four digits of their Social Security number or their Florida driver’s license or state identification number.
Election officials recommend requesting ballots well before the deadline to allow sufficient mailing time.
Florida remains a closed-primary state
Florida conducts closed primary elections, meaning voters registered with a political party may only vote in that party’s primary contests. Voters looking for additional election coverage and candidate updates can also visit The Florida Pundit’s Politics section for continuing coverage of statewide races and campaign developments..
Voters registered with no party affiliation or another party who wish to participate in either the Republican or Democratic primary must change their party registration by July 20.
Nonpartisan racesâincluding school board contests, judicial elections, and local ballot questionsâremain open to all eligible voters regardless of party affiliation.
Returning your ballot
Election officials recommend mailing completed ballots at least one week before Election Day to avoid postal delays.
Voters who prefer not to use the mail may:
- Return their ballot at a secure ballot intake station during early voting.
- Deliver it directly to their county Supervisor of Elections office before the legal deadline.
Florida law requires vote-by-mail ballots to be received by 7 p.m. on Election Day. Ballots arriving after the deadline cannot be counted, regardless of the postmark.
Most counties also provide online ballot tracking, allowing voters to confirm when their ballot has been received and accepted or to resolve any issues before certification deadlines.
Resources for Florida voters
The Florida Division of Elections provides statewide election information, including:
- Vote-by-mail request information
- Voter registration services
- Polling place locator
- Early voting locations
- Election calendars and deadlines
- Ballot tracking resources through county supervisors
As Florida’s primary election approaches, election officials encourage voters to verify their registration, request mail ballots early, and return completed ballots before Election Day. Readers can find additional election coverage and statewide reporting in Florida News, where The Florida Pundit continues to follow election administration, campaign developments, and voter information throughout the 2026 election cycle.
Related Coverage
Florida Elections 2026: Candidates, Races & Ballot Measures
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