Frequently Asked Questions
(Source: Division of Elections- Florida Dept.
of State)
How
do I become a poll worker?
If you are interested in becoming a poll worker, you should
contact the supervisor of elections. You must be a U.S.
Citizen and registered to vote in this county. For additional
requirements see our Pollworker
page.
What percentage comprises a win in a primary?
In 2008, there will be only one primary election. The candidate
receiving the highest number of votes will be nominated.
I want to vote in the primary. Do I have to be a Democrat or
Republican?
Maybe. Florida is a closed primary state which means as
a general rule, you will not be able to vote for Democratic
or Republican candidates unless you are registered under
one of those parties. The exception is if all candidates
for an office have the same party affiliation and the winner
will have no opposition in the general election, all qualified
electors, regardless of party affiliation, may vote in the
primary elections for that office. You will also be able
to vote for nonpartisan candidates and any issues on the
primary ballot.
What kind of identification do I need to bring to the polls?
When you go to the polling place to vote, you will be
asked to provide a current and valid picture
identification with a signature. Approved forms of
picture identification are: Florida driver's license;
Florida identification card issued by the Department of
Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles; United States
passport; debit or credit card; military identification;
student identification; retirement center
identification; neighborhood association identification;
and public assistance identification. If the picture
identification does not contain a signature, you will be
asked to provide an additional identification with your
signature. If you cannot provide photo and signature
identification you will have to vote a provisional
ballot. FS 101.043(2)
What do I need if I am a first time voter who registered by
mail?
If you are a first-time voter who registered by mail, there
are some different identification requirements. If you go
to the polls, you will be required to show the picture identification
as outlined in the above question. If you do not have the
proper identification, you will not be allowed to sign the
affidavit, but you will be allowed to vote a provisional
ballot.
If you are a first-time voter who registered by mail
and requested an absentee ballot, you will be required to
send a copy of your picture identification with your absentee
ballot, unless you have already provided the identification
to the supervisor of elections. If you do not have a picture
identification, you may send one of the following with your
absentee ballot, if they contain your name and current residence
address: utility bill; bank statement; government check;
paycheck; other government document (excluding voter identification
card).
To avoid problems in voting, if you register by mail
and have not voted before in the county, you should send
a copy of your identification to the supervisor of elections
with your registration form.
Must a poll watcher be a registered voter?
Yes. Each poll watcher must be a qualified and registered
elector of the county in which he or she serves.
(Section
101.131(1), F.S.)
May a candidate serve as a poll watcher?
No candidate, sheriff, deputy sheriff, police officer, or
other law enforcement officer may be designated as a poll
watcher.
(Section
101.131(3), F.S.)
What
is the difference between a poll watcher and a poll worker?
Poll workers are paid employees of the Supervisor
of Elections, who carry out all the tasks necessary for
operation of the election including (but not limited
to): transporting ballots between the Elections office and
the polling locations, setting up voting equipment, checking
voter registrations and identification, ...
Poll watchers are volunteers representing candidates
or political parties who are tasked with observing the voting
process at each polling location. Poll watchers can alert
poll workers to suspected voting infractions but are prohibited
from interfering with or helping the poll workers or voters.
Are all judges retained in office by voting "for retention"
or "against retention?"
No. Only Justices of the Supreme Court and Judges of the
District Courts of Appeal are retained in office. (Sections
105.041(2), 105.051(2), F.S., and Article V, Section 10,
Florida Constitution)
How do I vote absentee?
Any registered and qualified voter may vote an absentee
ballot. You should request an absentee ballot from the supervisor
of elections in your county. You may telephone your request
or send the request in writing. Provide the following information
in your request: your name; your address; and your date
of birth. If you send the request in writing, you should
sign the request.
I have requested an absentee ballot and now I have changed my
mind and want to vote at the polls. May I?
Yes. If you received your absentee ballot, you should return
it, whether voted or not, to the poll workers on election
day. Your absentee ballot will be voided and you will be
allowed to vote at the polls.
If
you don't bring your absentee ballot with you (so that it
can be voided) then you will only be allowed to vote
a regular ballot if it is determined your absentee ballot
wasn't voted. If it is determined that the absentee ballot
was voted, then the you will not be permitted to vote at
the polling location. If the status of the your absentee
ballot cannot be determined then you will be allowed to
vote a provisional ballot. If the absentee ballot is received
later at the elections office it will be marked as "Rejected
as Illegal".
Does Florida allow "Early voting" ?
Many supervisors of elections provide voters with the opportunity
to vote before election day on the regular voting equipment.
This in person absentee voting (sometimes referred to as
early voting) is offered at the office of the supervisor
of elections. Call the supervisor of elections to find out
the dates and times this service is offered in your county.
What information needs to be included on a political disclaimer?
Section 106.143, F.S., provides for a minimum of "Paid
political advertisement" or the abbreviation "Pd. Pol. Adv.
(name of person or entity paying for the advertisement)."
If the candidate is partisan, the party affiliation must
be indicated. If the candidate is a candidate with no party
affiliation, this also must be indicated. If the advertisement
is provided
in-kind, this needs to be indicated. All advertisements
other than independent, must state that the candidate has
approved the advertisement. (Also see Section 106.025, F.S.,
for additional requirements on fundraiser tickets and advertising.)
Section 106.071, F.S., contains additional requirements
when it is an independent expenditure.
How long is a
standard term of office for...?
|
2 yr. terms: |
|
|
Federal Offices: |
U.S. House of
Representatives, |
|
State and Local
Offices: |
State House of
Representatives |
|
4 yr. terms:
|
|
|
Federal Offices: |
U.S. President,
Vice-President, |
|
State and Local
Offices: |
Governor, Lt.
Governor, Attorney General, Secretary of State,
State Attorney, Commissioner of Agriculture, Public
Defender, Chief Financial Officer, State Senate,
County Commissioners, School Board, Clerk of the
Court, Sheriff, Property Appraiser, Supervisor of
Elections, Tax Collector, City Council, Fire Commissioners |
|
6 yr. terms:
|
|
|
Federal Offices:
|
U.S. Senate |
|
