Florida voters are headed into a high-stakes primary on Tuesday, Aug. 18, when a slate of state, federal and local contests will be decided. Polls across the state open at 7 a.m. and close at 7 p.m.. Voters who arrive before the 7 p.m. cutoff will be allowed to cast a ballot, the Florida Division of Elections has confirmed.
"Voters who are waiting in line by 7 p.m. will still be permitted to cast a ballot, according to the Florida Division of Elections."
What to expect on Election Day
Florida’s primary carries weight beyond individual races: it determines party nominees for the general election and will shape local leadership in counties around the state. Key contests on the ballot include the race for the Republican and Democratic nominations for governor, Florida’s special U.S. Senate election, the Orange County mayoral race, U.S. House District 11, and Florida Senate District 10, among other congressional, legislative and local contests.
Florida operates a closed primary system. That means most voters may only participate in the primary of the party with which they are registered. All registered voters may vote in nonpartisan races and in local referendum questions that appear on their ballots. There are limited exceptions when primaries are open to all voters; those situations are rare and specific.
Early voting and mail ballot rules
Florida’s mandatory early voting period runs through Saturday, Aug. 15, but some counties may extend additional early voting days or offer different hours. Voters should double-check times and locations with their local Supervisor of Elections to avoid surprises.
| Deadline / Time | Details |
|---|---|
| Polls open | 7 a.m. on Aug. 18 |
| Polls close | 7 p.m. on Aug. 18 (voters in line by 7 p.m. may still vote) |
| Early voting ends | Aug. 15 (county variations possible) |
| Mail ballot receipt | Must be received by county Supervisor of Elections by 7 p.m. on Election Day; a postmark is not sufficient |
Completed vote-by-mail ballots must be received by the county Supervisor of Elections no later than the 7 p.m. Election Day deadline. Voters should not rely solely on the postmark. County offices often provide secure ballot drop-off locations; check your county’s election website for specifics.
How to confirm your status and where to vote
Voters can verify registration status, find assigned polling locations and confirm party registration through the Florida Division of Elections. Because counties may offer differing early-voting schedules and additional services, local Supervisors of Elections are the authoritative source for hours, locations and any last-minute changes.
- Bring acceptable identification if required by your county.
- Check local early voting schedules — they may extend past the statewide window.
- If using a mail ballot, confirm drop-off locations and delivery deadlines with your county office.
Results will begin to update as county election offices report returns. Statewide tallies may not be available immediately after polls close; counties operating in the Central time zone still close their polls an hour later than Eastern Zone counties, which can delay final statewide reporting.
Local coverage and where to follow results
Local newsrooms will provide live coverage, updates and analysis throughout election night. Viewers and readers are advised to follow their local television and county election office feeds for the most accurate, up-to-the-minute reporting.
For voters still weighing their plans: check your voter registration and polling place now, confirm hours for early voting in your county, and ensure any mail ballot will be delivered in time. These administrative steps can determine whether your vote is counted in a closely contested race.
As Florida heads to the polls on Aug. 18, the combination of a closed primary system, county-by-county voting schedules and the mail-ballot receipt rule means preparation pays off. Verify, plan and vote.
