Florida Primary Early Voting Ends Soon: How to Vote Before Aug 18
Key deadlines for mail-in ballots and early voting locations are closing fast before Election Day next week.
Florida’s primary election is set for August 18, 2026, and the window to vote early is closing rapidly. For most counties across the state, in-person early voting concludes on Saturday, August 15, with a few jurisdictions extending their hours through Sunday, August 16. This limited timeframe leaves voters just days to cast their ballots before Election Day arrives next week. It is important for residents to act quickly, as the deadline to request a mail-in ballot has already passed.
Key Deadlines and Early Voting Schedule
The mandatory early voting period runs from August 8 through August 15. However, each county’s Supervisor of Elections may choose to expand this window by up to five days earlier or one day later. While most counties end on Saturday, the following jurisdictions offer Sunday voting: Bradford (Aug 16), Duval (Aug 16), Hillsborough (Aug 16), Leon (Aug 16), Manatee (Aug 16), Miami-Dade (Aug 16), Orange (Aug 16), Osceola (Aug 16), Palm Beach (Aug 16), Pinellas (Aug 16), and Sarasota (Aug 16). Voters are advised to check their specific county’s website for exact times and locations, as local events can sometimes cause changes.
Required Identification for Voting
Voters casting ballots in person must bring a valid photo ID that includes a signature. The Florida Department of State accepts several forms of identification, including a Florida Driver License or Florida ID Card issued by the DHSMV, a U.S. Passport, and Military IDs. Other acceptable options include Student IDs, Retirement Center IDs, Neighborhood Association IDs, Public Assistance IDs, Veteran Health IDs from the VA, Concealed Weapon Licenses, and Employee ID cards from federal, state, county, or municipal entities, a story we covered in Florida 2026 Primary Election Dates and Deadlines for Voters.
Important Election Dates for 2026
Beyond the primary election on August 18, Florida residents should note key dates for the general election. The general election is scheduled for November 3, following the end of daylight saving time on November 1. Key deadlines include October 5 for voter registration and October 24-31 for early voting in most counties. For now, voters can verify their active status using the Florida Department of State's Voter Information Lookup website by entering their name and birth date.
