Florida absentee and mail ballot guide
Absentee ballots and mail ballots are the same thing, and the process for getting one is straight forward.
- Request your ballot by the deadline
- Receive your in ballot in the mail
- Return your ballot by the deadline
- Earliest day to apply: January 1
- Request deadline (online): 12 days before Election Day
- Request deadline (by mail): Received by 12 days before Election Day
- Request deadline (in person): 12 days before Election Day
- Deadline to return your ballot (by mail): Received by Election Day
- Deadline to return your ballot (in person): Received by Election Day
Any registered Florida voter can request an absentee ballot and vote by mail.
Some cities or counties in Florida allow you to request your ballot online. Request your ballot with our tool to determine if yours does. If an online request portal is not available for your area, our tool will email you a ballot request form that you can print, sign, and mail.
- Download the Florida absentee ballot application.
- Fill out all of the required fields.
- Print the application.
- Sign and date your application. This is very important.
- Mail or hand-deliver your completed application directly to your local election office as soon as possible, but no later than the deadline.
- If it’s close to the deadline, call your local election office and see if they will let you submit your application via email or fax.
- Your application must be received by 12 days before Election Day.
- Visit your local election office.
- Ask the clerk to give you an absentee ballot application.
- Fill out all of the required fields.
- Sign and date your application.
- The deadline to apply in person is 12 days before Election Day.
- Carefully read and follow the instructions, and fill out all required fields.
- Sign and date the outside envelope.
- Mail or hand-deliver your ballot to your local election office. You can also hand-deliver your ballot to a drop box if one is available nearby. You can use our Find Out Where To Vote tool to find an official drop box.
- If you mail your ballot, it must be received by Election Day.
- If you hand-deliver your ballot, it must be received by Election Day.
- If you miss the deadline – or forget to sign the outside envelope – your vote will not be counted.
- ID required when requesting a mail-in ballot:
You must include one of the following with your application:
- Florida driver’s license OR non-driver ID card number
- Last 4 digits of your Social Security Number
- ID required when returning a mail-in ballot:
You must include a copy of a non-expired Florida driver's license, state ID card, U.S. passport, debit or credit card, military ID, student ID, retirement center ID, or any ID issued by the Federal Government. If you do not have a valid ID you can provide a copy of a current utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck, or government document. Additionally, your signature on the return envelope will be compared to the signature on your voter registration card to ensure they match. If you forget to sign the return envelope, your ballot might be rejected.
Track your ballot here: Florida absentee ballot tracker
Ballot curing is the process of resolving any problems with your absentee or mail ballot to ensure that your vote is counted. After tracking your ballot, contact your local election office to fix any issues that have been noted.
- Your ballot will be rejected if you forget to sign it or if your signature does not match the signature the state has on file.
- Your local election office might contact you by mail, phone, text message, or e-mail to let you know.
- You must fix the issues by 5:00 pm on the 2nd day after Election Day for your vote to count.
Some states have special procedures that allow you to obtain an emergency ballot if a medical or other emergency occurs after the standard absentee ballot application window.
Emergency Ballot Rules
You can apply for an emergency absentee ballot if you are hospitalized within 9 days of Election Day. You must request an emergency ballot in writing. You can designate a friend or family member to drop off your application and pick up your ballot.
Dates & Deadlines
- Emergency ballot request ends Election Day
- Emergency ballot return deadline is Election Day
Contact your local election office
Local election office
Contact your local election office if you have questions.
Statewide election office
This is the statewide agency that is ultimately responsible for Florida elections. You can contact them with questions, but your local election office will probably respond faster.
State of Florida Department of State Division of Elections The R.A. Gray Building 500 South Bronough St, Rm 316 Tallahassee, FL 32399‐0250