Central Fla. – Let’s face it, politics can be messy. Between sifting through facts and selecting your preferred candidate, it can all get a little hectic. A college student’s busy schedule may not have the space to figure out how and when to vote.
News 6 asked Central Florida college students to tell us their burning questions about the election. Now, we have answers. This guide is here to answer common questions a college student can stumble upon about how to register and vote in the 2024 election to make the process easier.
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Important Dates
Deadline to register: Monday, Oct. 7
Early Voting: Monday, Oct. 21 – Sunday, Nov. 3
Last date to request a vote-by-mail ballot: Thursday, Oct. 24
Election day: Tuesday, Nov. 5
Voter Eligibility
Before jumping into the voting booth, first check to see if you are eligible to vote in the state of Florida. Eligibility requirements include being a citizen of the United States of America and a legal resident of the county in which you are registered in Florida. This means, you should have a home address (or a dorm) in the state of Florida. A post office box will not satisfy this requirement.
To register and vote, voters must be at least 18 years old, but young voters can preregister as early as 16 years old. Those declared to be mentally incapacitated with respect to voting and those convicted of a felony without having the right to vote restored are not eligible.
How to register
There are three ways to register. Online, in person or by mail. Remember, registration is required for first-time voters, out-of-state students looking to vote in Florida and those who had a change of address since their previous registration.
To register online, visit registertovoteflorida.com. This website, available in both English and Spanish, offers the ability to register to vote, update your registration, and check if you are already registered. A Florida driver’s license or a Florida identification card issued by the state is required for online registration. The deadline for online registration is at midnight Oct. 7.
To register in person, visit your local driver’s license office, public library, Center for Independent Living, supervisor of elections office or WIC and DCF offices. Be sure to bring a Florida driver’s license, Florida identification card or the last four digits of your Social Security number. The deadline for in person registration is at the close of business for your local supervisor of elections office on Oct. 7.
To register by mail, print out a copy of the voter registration application and mail it to your local supervisor of election office. Mail-in applications must be postmarked by Oct. 7.
Q&A
I can’t remember if I already registered in Florida. How do I check?
Visit registertovoteflorida.com and click on “Am I Already Registered?” to check your current voter status. After typing in your full name date of birth, you should see a screen listing your voter registration information. If your voter status says “active,” then you are good to go.
What if I currently live in a dorm? Am I still eligible?
Yes! Students living in dorms are eligible to register and vote as long as you register your dorm address while registering to vote. If you are already registered in Florida, you can update your address through the Florida Online Voter Registration System.
Do I need to make my college address my permanent address to vote in Florida?
Students must register a college apartment, dorm or home address in Florida to vote. It will need to be updated every time you move.
What if I am not from out of state but I moved counties? Do I need to update my registered address?
You must update your address through the Florida Online Voter Registration System every time you move regardless of state or county. This will make you eligible to vote in your area and provide you with accurate information on where to vote.
How do I update my registered address?
If you are already registered in Florida, you can update your address through the Florida Online Voter Registration System. Click “Register or Update” to make changes to your registration. The online process requires a Florida driver’s license or a Florida identification card. Otherwise, print and fill out a voter registration application and mail it to your local supervisor of election office. Remember, mail-in applications must be postmarked by Oct. 7.
Can I vote in both the Florida election and my home state’s election?
No, voting in multiple states is a third-degree felony in Florida. If you are an out-of-state or out-of-county student, it is up to you to choose where you would like to vote but you can only choose one. Whichever address you choose must be registered through the Florida Online Voter Registration System and you must vote
How will voting in Florida affect my ability to vote in my home state?
Similar to the previous question, you cannot vote in multiple states or counties as it is a felony in most states. You must choose one place to vote in per election. If you choose to vote in Florida while you are in college, you can always reregister in your home state or county for the next election when you return. If you choose to continue voting in your home state, you will have to request a mail-in ballot to vote. Each state has different requirements.
To find vote-by-mail information for your home state, you can find information on the National Association of Secretaries of State website.
How do I vote by mail in Florida?
First, request a mail-in ballot by visiting or calling your supervisor of elections office. You can also print and fill out a Vote-by-Mail Request Form. Return the form to your local supervisor of elections office either in person, by mail, fax or email. Requests can be made by voters themselves or an immediate family member or legal guardian. All mail-in ballot requests must be made by 5 p.m. on Oct. 24. Once you receive your mail-in ballot, follow the printed instructions and send the complete ballot to your supervisor of elections office by 7 p.m. on Nov. 5. To meet this deadline, the United States Postal Service recommends mailing in your ballot at least one week before election day.
How do I know where to vote?
If you have your voter card handy, you can see your polling place printed on your card directly under your name and address. Otherwise, you can search for your local polling location with the Voter Precinct Lookup on the Florida Division of Elections website. Select your county and type your registered home address to find your precinct.
Early voting locations, dates and hours can be found on your local supervisor of elections website on Oct. 6.
What do I need to bring with me to vote?
When you are finally ready to hit the polls, be sure to bring a valid photo identification with a signature. This can be a Florida driver’s license, Florida identification card issues by the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, United States passport or a debit or credit card. If your identification has a photo but no signature, you will need to provide an additional form of identification with a signature.
Do I need to have a Florida driver’s license?
The short answer is no, you do not need a Florid driver’s license to vote in Florida. But you do need a form of identification with a picture and a signature. This can include a Florida identification card issued by the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, United States passport, military identification, student identification, retirement center identification, neighborhood association identification or public assistance identification. A Florida driver’s license is only required for online registration.
College Resources
University of Central Florida: UCF Knights registered in Orange County with UCF as their residential address can visit the Live Oak Magnolia Room Oct. 21 through Nov. 3 for early voting or on Nov. 5 to vote on election day. For additional information, contact knightsvote@ucf.edu.
Stetson University: Stetson has a lineup of events leading up to the election to educate student voters. The events feature a Rock for Democracy Concert from 6-8 p.m. on Sept. 20 at Libby Lawn and a Vice Presidential Debate Watch Party from 9-11 p.m. on Oct. 1 at CUB Lee’s Garage. For more information, contact cce@stetson.edu.
Rollins College: Every last Thursday of the month from 5-6 p.m., Rollins hosts a Politics on Tap event at Daves Boathouse for students, faculty and staff to discuss politics. Rollins students voting by mail can also get a free stamp from the Center for Leadership & Community Engagement in Kathleen W. Rollins Hall. For more information, contact dproject@rollins.edu.
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