Florida mail-in voting: Deadline to request ballots for primaries

Florida voters planning to cast their ballots by mail in the upcoming 2026 primary elections must submit their requests for absentee ballots no later than 5 p.m. on August 6. This deadline is part of the official election calendar published by the Florida Department of State.

The primary elections are set for August 18, where voters will select the candidates from each party who will compete in the general election on November 3. Election officials emphasize the importance of adhering to the deadline to ensure timely delivery of voting materials. Once a request is approved, the ballot will be mailed to the voter's specified address. To ensure the vote is counted, the completed ballot must be received by the respective county Supervisor of Elections office by 7 p.m. on August 18.

Florida operates under a closed primary system, meaning only voters registered with a specific political party can participate in that party's primary election. The deadline to register to vote or change party affiliation was July 20. To be eligible to vote, individuals must be U.S. citizens, reside in Florida, and be at least 18 years old by the election date. Pre-registration is available for 16 and 17-year-olds, who will be automatically registered upon turning 18.

Early voting for the primary elections will take place from August 8 to August 15. Voters can check their polling place, registration status, and other election-related information through their local Supervisor of Elections office. The primary elections on August 18 will determine party nominees for various state and federal positions.