TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – County elections offices around the state are buzzing with activity as the deadline to register to vote in the general election fast approaches.
Floridians have until 5 p.m. Tuesday to fill out an application and secure a chance to vote in November's election.
Leon County Supervisor of Elections Ion Sancho says the foot traffic and the phone calls are nonstop.
"We are going to be out as late as we can, legally, to make sure that if you want to turn in that voter registration application you can do that," Sancho said.
Those who do miss the 5 p.m. deadline can stop by a post office and mail the applications before midnight, and they will still be counted.
But don't try the same trick with absentee ballots.
"Absentee ballots have to be in our physical possession by 7 p.m. Nov. 6, Election Day," Sancho said.
Ballots began mailing last week, which means votes are already pouring into elections offices. Florida Division of Elections spokesman Chris Cate says Florida voters have several options for casting a ballot.
"Beginning Oct. 27, from that Saturday to the following Saturday, you are going to be able to cast a ballot early at an early voting location," Cate said. "Sites are going to be open up to 12 hours a day."
As the deadline to register approaches, Democrats continue to build upon their registration advantage, outpacing Republicans for eight straight months. As of Oct. 6, there were 4.7 million registered Democrats in Florida compared to 4.2 million Republicans.
No party affiliation and third party groups are also seeing a boost in members. The latest data available shows 2.8 million Floridians are registered NPA or with a smaller party.