Early voting is already underway for the 2026 primary election in Florida, and many residents are asking how they can make sure they’re ready to head to the polls.

Casting your ballot is easy, safe and a vital part of the democratic process. Depending on where you live, you could be deciding referendums, candidates for the Florida legislature, and ultimately your party’s gubernatorial candidate.

Here’s what to know.

When is the Florida primary?

Primary election day will be held on Aug. 18.

Voter registration deadline

Residents had until July 20 to register to vote in the primary election. If you haven’t yet, you can still register to vote in the general election. The deadline is Oct. 5.

If you’re not sure if you’ve registered, you can check your status here.

Vote-by-Mail ballot drop-off deadline

A vote-by-mail ballot must be received, regardless of postmark, by the Supervisor of Elections’ office no later than 7 p.m. on Election Day.

If you’ve already filled out your vote-by-mail ballot, you can:

• drop it off at a designated drop box at your county’s Supervisor of Elections office
• drop it off at an early voting site
• mail it back

For where to drop off or send your vote-by-mail ballot, go here if you live in Miami-Dade County and go here if you live in Broward County. Locations for Monroe County are listed here.

See a sample ballot

Do your research; take a look at the sample ballots before you’re in the booth.

Go here if you’re voting in Miami-Dade.

Go here if you’re voting in Broward.

Go here if you’re voting in Monroe.

Early voting days

Early voting in Miami-Dade and Broward ends on Aug.16, while in Monroe, it ends on Aug. 15. You can go to any polling location here.

On Election Day, you must report to your polling place. Find it here if you live in Miami-Dade, or here if you live in Broward. Go here if you live in Monroe.

After the primary election, voters will return to the polls for the general election, which will be held on Nov. 3

For more information, you are urged to check with your county’s supervisor of elections.

Voter ID

In Florida, a person must have a current and valid photo ID that includes a signature.

There are several documents voters can use to identify themselves to vote, including a credit card.