Florida 2026 midterm election voter guide: Where to vote, what to bring and key deadlines

Voters across the state are preparing to cast their ballots in contests that will help determine Florida's political leadership and representation in Washington.

Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. local time on Tuesday. Voters must cast their ballots at their assigned polling places, and anyone in line by 7 p.m. will be allowed to vote.

Voters planning to cast their ballots on Election Day should confirm their polling locations, check their registration status and review identification requirements before heading to the polls.

Here's what Florida voters need to know about the Nov. 3 midterm elections, including where to vote, what identification to bring, how to check their registration status and important deadlines.

When is Election Day in Florida?

Election Day in Florida is Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026.

Polling places across the state will open at 7 a.m. and close at 7 p.m. local time.

Voters who are in line when polls close at 7 p.m. will still be allowed to cast their ballots.

Florida has two time zones, meaning polling places in the Central Time Zone will operate from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. CT, while those in the Eastern Time Zone will follow the same hours in ET.

Unlike early voting, when registered voters can visit any designated early voting location within their county, those voting on Election Day must go to their assigned precinct.

Where can I vote on Election Day in Florida?

Florida voters must cast their ballots at their assigned polling place on Tuesday, Nov. 3.

Polling locations are determined by a voter's residential address and may include public schools, libraries, community centers, government buildings and other designated facilities.

Voters should not assume that their nearest early voting location will also serve as their Election Day polling place.

To find their assigned precinct, voters can visit their county Supervisor of Elections website or use the voter information resources provided by the Florida Division of Elections.

Voters can also contact their local elections office to confirm their polling location and obtain information about accessibility and available assistance.

Election officials recommend verifying polling locations before leaving home because precinct assignments and voting sites can change between elections.

What ID do I need to vote in Florida?

Florida voters must present a current and valid photo identification with a signature when voting in person.

Under Florida's 2026 voter identification law, acceptable forms of identification include:

• Florida driver's license.
• Florida identification card issued by the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles.
• U.S. passport or passport card.
• Military identification.
• Veteran health identification card issued by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
• Concealed weapon or firearm license issued under Florida law.
• Qualifying government-issued employee identification.

If the photo identification does not include a signature, voters must provide another acceptable form of identification containing their signature.

A voter information card is not an acceptable form of identification for voting.

Voters who arrive without the required identification can still cast a provisional ballot. Election officials will determine whether the ballot can be counted after reviewing the voter's eligibility and applicable requirements.

Important: Florida's 2026 statute, Section 101.043, lists a narrower set of acceptable photo IDs than some information published in the Division of Elections' FAQ. Voters planning to use a student ID, debit card or another identification type not listed above should confirm whether it is accepted with their county Supervisor of Elections before heading to the polls.

How can I check my Florida voter registration status?

Florida residents can verify their voter registration status through the state's online voter information lookup system.

The Florida voter registration lookup allows voters to confirm whether they are registered and whether their information is accurate.

To search, voters must enter their first name, last name and date of birth as they appear on their registration record.

The state's online system also directs voters to their county Supervisor of Elections for information about their assigned polling place, sample ballot and vote-by-mail ballot status.

Anyone who cannot locate their registration information should contact their county Supervisor of Elections.

Voters can also call the Florida Division of Elections' Voter Assistance Hotline at 1-866-308-6739.

Can I still register to vote in Florida's midterm elections?

No. The deadline to register to vote in Florida's Nov. 3 general election was Monday, Oct. 5.

Florida requires voters to register at least 29 days before an election.

The state does not offer same-day voter registration on Election Day.

Residents who missed the registration deadline generally cannot register in time to participate in the November midterms.

However, people who submitted their registration applications before the deadline should check their status online to confirm their registration has been processed.

Florida residents can still submit new voter registration applications, but registrations submitted after the deadline will not qualify them to vote in the Nov. 3 election.

Can I vote in person if I already requested a mail ballot?

Yes. Florida voters who requested a vote-by-mail ballot but decide to vote in person on Election Day can still do so, provided they have not already voted.

Voters should bring their mail ballot to their assigned polling place if they have it.

Election workers can cancel the unused mail ballot and allow the voter to cast a regular ballot in person.

If the voter does not bring the mail ballot, election officials must verify that it has not already been received before issuing a regular ballot.

If officials cannot verify the ballot's status, the voter may be required to cast a provisional ballot.

Voters who have already returned their completed mail ballots should not attempt to vote again.

What is the deadline to return a mail ballot in Florida?

Florida voters who plan to vote by mail must ensure their completed ballots are received by their county Supervisor of Elections no later than 7 p.m. local time on Tuesday, Nov. 3.

The deadline applies to most domestic vote-by-mail ballots.

A postmark alone does not make a ballot valid if it arrives after the deadline.

Voters who have not yet returned their mail ballots should consider delivering them directly to their county Supervisor of Elections office rather than relying on mail delivery so close to Election Day.

Designated secure ballot intake stations may also be available during authorized early voting hours, but voters should confirm locations and availability with their county elections office.

Florida's deadline to request that a vote-by-mail ballot be mailed to a voter was Thursday, Oct. 22, at 5 p.m.

Different receipt deadlines apply to certain overseas voters.

Voters can check whether their completed mail ballot has been received and counted using their county Supervisor of Elections' ballot tracking system.

What's on the ballot in Florida's 2026 midterm elections?

Florida voters will decide several major races in the Nov. 3 general election, including contests for governor, a U.S. Senate seat and seats in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Other statewide contests include attorney general and additional state Cabinet positions.

Depending on where they live, voters may also see races for the Florida Legislature, county offices, judicial positions and local ballot questions.

Constitutional amendments and other measures may also appear on the ballot.

Because ballots differ by county and voting district, residents should review their personalized sample ballot before voting.

Sample ballots provide information about the candidates and ballot measures voters will encounter at their assigned polling places.

Voters can find sample ballot information through their county Supervisor of Elections website.

What happens if I have a problem voting on Election Day?

Florida voters who encounter problems at their polling places should speak with an election worker or contact their county Supervisor of Elections.

Voters whose eligibility cannot be immediately confirmed may be allowed to cast a provisional ballot.

Provisional ballots allow voters to participate while election officials review their eligibility and determine whether their votes can be counted.

Voters who need assistance because of a disability or difficulty reading or writing may request help at their polling place, subject to state and federal voting rules.

Anyone who believes they have encountered voter intimidation or interference should report the incident to election officials.

For additional assistance, voters can contact the Florida Division of Elections' Voter Assistance Hotline at 1-866-308-6739.

Where can I find official Florida election information?

The Florida Division of Elections provides statewide voter information, including registration requirements, identification rules, voting procedures and election deadlines.

Voters can also contact their county Supervisor of Elections for local information about polling locations, sample ballots, vote-by-mail ballot tracking and election procedures.

With polls closing at 7 p.m. local time Tuesday, election officials encourage voters to verify their information and make a plan before heading to their assigned polling places.