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Florida Voting ::
Absentee Voting
Who Can Vote Absentee
All qualified voters are permitted to vote absentee under Florida law.
How to Vote Absentee
A voter, or someone designated by the voter, may request an
absentee ballot from the
supervisor of elections in person, by mail or by telephone. One
request can cover all elections within a calendar year. The person
requesting an absentee ballot must disclose:
- The name of the voter for whom the ballot is requested;
- The voter's address;
- The voter's date of birth;
- The requester's name;
- The requester's address;
- The requester's driver’s license number, if available;
- The requester's relationship to the voter; and,
- The requester's signature (written request only).
Marked ballots must be mailed or delivered in person reaching the
supervisor of elections’ office not later than 7 p.m. on the day of
the election. Do not return your voted absentee ballot to a polling
place.
A designee may pick up an absentee ballot for a voter on election
day or 4 days before election day. A designee may only pick up two
absentee ballots per election, other than his or her own ballot or
ballots for members of his or her immediate family. Designees must
have written authorization from the voter, present a picture I.D. and
sign an affidavit. Candidates may pick up absentee ballots only for
members of their immediate family.
If you have obtained an absentee ballot but are able to vote in
your precinct on election day, you must take the absentee ballot with
you to the polls, whether or not it has been marked. However, if you
are unable to return the ballot, you may vote a provisional ballot.
(see sections 101.048, 101.62 and 101.69, Florida Statutes)
In Person Absentee Voting (Early Voting)
The 2004 Legislature passed legislation which standardizes early
voting throughout the state. Early voting is defined as "casting a
ballot prior to election day at a location designated by the
supervisor of elections and depositing the voted ballot in the
tabulation system."
Under the new provisions which are effective July 1, 2004, all
supervisors will begin conducting early voting in their main and
branch offices 15 days before the election. In addition, supervisors
may designate any city hall or public library as an early voting site;
however, if so designated, these sites must be geographically located
so that all voters in the county have an equal opportunity to cast a
vote. Early voting will continue through the day before the election.
Early voting will be conducted at least 8 hours per day on each
weekday during the early voting period and will be provided for 8
hours in the aggregate for each weekend during the period.
Voters who want to vote early should remember to bring a photo and
signature identification with them.
Military and Overseas Citizens Registering and Voting
Absentee
Members of the United States Uniformed Services on active duty and
the merchant marine, their spouses and dependents, and United States
citizens residing outside of the United States may apply for voter
registration or request an absentee ballot with a FPCA, which may be
obtained from a Voting Assistance Officer or through the Internet at
www.fvap.gov. The Federal Post Card Application request for an
absentee ballot will be effective for all elections through the next
two regularly scheduled general elections. If the FPCA is not
available, phone or send a written request by mail, fax, or e-mail to
the supervisor of elections and a voter registration application or
absentee ballot will be sent to you.
If you are overseas, you may have your absentee ballot either faxed
or e-mailed to you, in lieu of receiving it by regular mail. Once your
absentee ballot is voted, you may either return it by fax or you may
mail it to the supervisor of elections so that it is received no later
than 7 p.m. on election day. Voted ballots returned by e-mail will not
be accepted. Carefully follow the instructions sent to you with your
absentee ballot to ensure that it is counted. You must be sure to not
only sign, but DATE the absentee ballot envelope to ensure that your
ballot is counted.
If an overseas voter’s request for an absentee ballot includes an
e-mail address, the supervisor of elections will inform the voter of
the names of candidates who will be on the ballots via electronic
transmission. The supervisor of elections will e-mail to the voter the
list of candidates for the primary and general election not later than
30 days before each election.
(see section 101.6952, Florida Statutes)
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