DUVAL COUNTY, Fla. – Voters across Florida will head to the polls for the state’s Primary Election on Tuesday, Aug. 18. If you haven’t checked your registration recently — or if you plan to vote by mail — now is the time to make sure you’re ready.
Below is a guide to the most important deadlines, how vote-by-mail works in Florida, where to find your sample ballot in each county, and a few practical tips to avoid common problems that can keep ballots from counting.
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Key deadlines for the Aug. 18 Primary
1) Voter registration deadline: Monday, July 20
Florida’s election calendar lists July 20 as the voter registration deadline (“books close”) for the Aug. 18 primary.
If you’ve moved, changed your name, or want to update your party affiliation, don’t wait until the last minute — changes can take time to process.
The Florida Division of Elections also notes that the general registration deadline for an upcoming election is 29 days before Election Day.
2) Vote-by-mail request deadline: 5 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 6
Florida law sets the deadline to request that a vote-by-mail ballot be mailed as no later than 5 p.m. on the 12th day before the election.
For the Aug. 18 primary, the 12th day before Election Day is Thursday, Aug. 6, 2026.
3) Vote-by-mail return deadline: Received by 7 p.m. on Election Day
In Florida, a voted vote-by-mail ballot must be received by your county Supervisor of Elections no later than 7 p.m. (local time) on Election Day to count.
That means if you mail your ballot back, give it plenty of time — postmarks generally do not extend the deadline for most voters.
First step: confirm your registration and find your sample ballot
Your sample ballot is the easiest way to see what races you’ll vote on (and, in many counties, it’s also where you can confirm your precinct and Election Day polling location).
Because ballots vary by address — and because some counties have recently adjusted precincts and polling places — voters should use their county elections website to pull their personalized information.
You can also use the state’s voter lookup to confirm your registration status, but it will generally route you back to your county for sample ballot and polling-place details.
County-by-county: where to find your sample ballot
Use the links below to look up your sample ballot (or “My Voter Status”) in each of the counties covered by this guide:
- Duval County: “My Voter Status” (includes sample ballot access) — https://www.duvalelections.gov/205/My-Voter-Status
- Nassau County: Sample ballot lookup — https://www.votenassaufl.gov/sample-ballot
- Baker County: Elections site with voter tools and key dates — https://votebakerfl.gov/
- Columbia County: “My Voter Status” / sample ballot — https://votecolumbiafl.gov/voter_information/my_voter_status.php
- Union County: Sample ballot lookup — https://unionflvotes.com/voters/sample-ballots/
- Bradford County: Voter status and sample ballots — https://www.votebradfordfl.gov/voter/voter_status_and_sample_ballots.php
- Clay County: Elections homepage (sample ballot link available on site) — https://clayelections.gov/
- St. Johns County: “View My Sample Ballot” — https://www.votesjc.gov/view-my-sample-ballot
- Putnam County: Elections homepage (sample ballot accessible via voter tools/“My Status”) — https://www.voteputnamflorida.gov/
- Alachua County: Sample ballot page — https://www.votealachua.gov/259/Sample-Ballots
- Marion County: “View My Sample Ballot” — https://www.votemarion.gov/326/View-My-Sample-Ballot
- Flagler County: “My Voter Info” (includes sample ballots) — https://www.flaglerelections.gov/My-Voter-Info
Tip: Some counties publish sample ballots about a month before Election Day and may label them “Upcoming Elections,” “My Voter Status,” or “Voter Information Lookup.” If you don’t immediately see a sample ballot link, look for those headings.
Florida’s three ways to vote in the primary
Option 1: Vote on Election Day
Polls are open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Election Day in Florida. (If you’re in line by 7 p.m., you can still vote.)
Your county elections website can show your assigned polling place for Election Day.
Option 2: Vote early (in-person)
Florida’s statewide calendar lists a mandatory early voting window for the 2026 primary. Counties may offer additional days, so check your county Supervisor of Elections for the final schedule and locations.
Option 3: Vote by mail (sometimes still called “absentee”)
Florida uses the term vote-by-mail instead of “absentee.” Requests are handled by your county Supervisor of Elections.
The Division of Elections explains that voters can request a vote-by-mail ballot by phone, in person, or by signed written request (mail, email attachment, fax, or online request where available). The request typically requires your identifying information, and written requests must include a signature.
If you request a ballot close to the election, note that Florida election guidance references special requirements for some late pick-ups/requests near Election Day, so it’s best to request early.
What voters often miss: party rules in primaries
Florida is a closed primary state for most partisan races — meaning only voters registered with a party can vote in that party’s primary. If you’re registered No Party Affiliation (NPA) and you want to vote in partisan primary races, you generally need to update your party affiliation by the registration deadline.
However, even if you are an unaffiliated voter, you will likely still have something to vote for in this primary. Elections for judge, school board, and certain other local offices are nonpartisan, meaning they are open to all voters, regardless of party affiliation.
Also, in some cases, a partisan primary will be open to all voters, if there are no other candidates in the race. That situation is known as a “Universal Primary Contest.” However, if there is an NPA candidate, or even a write-in candidate, who has qualified for the general election, the party primary will remain closed to just voters of that party.
The simplest way to see what applies to you: pull your sample ballot.
Vote-by-mail: how to avoid a ballot problem
Don’t wait to return it
The most important rule is the deadline: your ballot must be received by 7 p.m. on Election Day.
If you’re mailing it, consider sending it back well ahead of time, or returning it in person to your county elections office or an official drop location if your county offers secure intake stations.
Make sure your signature matches
Florida election guidance notes that your signature is used to verify vote-by-mail ballots and other election documents, and that voters can update their signature on file.
If you’ve had a signature change over time, updating it in advance can help prevent issues.
New driver’s license or ID? Your number may have changed
Several county elections offices have warned voters that renewing or replacing a Florida driver’s license or state ID can change the ID number tied to your voter record. If your number changed and your county can’t verify it during a vote-by-mail request, it may cause delays.
If you renewed your ID recently, check your county elections site for guidance or contact the office.
A quick checklist for voters in these counties
- Check your registration and update your address/name/party if needed.
- Pull your sample ballot to review races, precinct, and your Election Day polling place.
- If voting by mail, request by 5 p.m. Aug. 6 and return early so it’s received by 7 p.m. on Aug. 18.
- If voting in person, confirm your polling location or early voting sites and bring an acceptable ID.