Florida Primary Election 2024: What You Need to Know About Closed Primaries and Voting Restrictions

Florida Primary Election 2024: This year is the year of the next presidential election, and in many states, voting for the candidates to represent their party in the general election on November 5th has already begun.

Because Florida has closed primaries, the state’s primary election is a little different for voters there. This implies that voters are limited to selecting candidates who represent the party with which they are registered.

Put otherwise, a registered independent cannot vote for a Republican or Democratic candidate, and a registered member of another party cannot vote for a candidate from a different party.

When is Florida Primary Election 2024?

Voters should be aware of a number of important election dates in 2024. The 2024 Florida presidential preference primary is scheduled for March 19.

Important dates for the primary election with a presidential preference

The following are crucial dates to be aware of about the 2024 presidential preference primary election:

• Deadline to send vote-by-mail ballots to Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act (UOCAVA) voters: Feb. 3, 2024
• Deadline to send vote-by-mail ballots to domestic voters: Feb. 8-15
• Deadline to register to vote: Feb. 20 (*Feb. 19 is a federal holiday – President’s Day)
• Early voting period (mandatory period): March 9 – 16
• Deadline to request that ballot be mailed: March 7
• Election Day: March 19

Voters covered by the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act (UOCAVA) have until February 3, 2024, to mail in their ballots.

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Primary election key dates

• Deadline to send vote-by-mail ballots to UOCAVA voters: July 6
• Deadline to send vote-by-mail ballots to domestic voters: July 11 – 18
• Deadline to register to vote: July 22
• Early voting period (mandatory period): Aug. 10 – 17
• Deadline to request that ballot be mailed: Aug. 8
• Election Day: Aug. 20

• Deadline to send vote-by-mail ballots to UOCAVA voters: Sept. 21
• Deadline to send vote-by-mail ballots to domestic voters: Sept. 26 – Oct. 3
• Deadline to register to vote: Oct. 7
• Early voting period (mandatory period): Oct. 26 – Nov. 2
• Deadline to request that ballot be mailed: Oct. 24
• Election Day: Nov. 5

In 2024, what’s on the ballot in Florida?

Here’s what Florida voters can expect to see on the ballot in 2024. You can find a sample ballot for your area’s specific candidates by clicking the link at the bottom of this section.

• U.S. Senate
• U.S. House
• State Senate
• State House
• Special state legislative
• State Supreme Court
• Intermediate appellate courts
• Municipal government
• Ballot measures

There are now two ballot measures in the state:

Amendment 1: Effective with the November 2026 general election and primary elections designating party candidates for the 2026 election, Amendment 1 would convert school board elections from nonpartisan to political.

Amendment 2: would merely create a right to hunt and fish under the constitution.

Both measures must receive a supermajority vote of 60% in order to be approved.

With this tool, you may see a sample of your ballot.

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Thirteen states hold closed primary elections, including Florida

Thirteen states have closed their primary elections, including Florida. This implies that the presidential and vice-presidential nominees of that party may only be chosen by registered voters.

By the primary election’s registration deadline, independent voters who wish to cast a ballot in the primary must register with the party of their choice. On the primary election ballot, independent voters can cast ballots in nonpartisan races like school board and judgeships, nonpartisan special districts, and local referendum questions.

Here are the states with closed primary elections.

• Delaware
• Kansas
• Maine
• Florida
• Kentucky
• Nevada
• New Jersey
• New Mexico
• New York
• Oregon
• Pennsylvania
• Wyoming
• Maryland

Check if you’re registered to vote in Florida

It’s easy to check your Florida voter registration status. Here’s how:

• Visit the Department of State website

• Enter your first and last name and your birthday

• Accept the terms of service by checking the option that says you “understand and agree”

• Submit your information

Following the submission of your information, you will be presented with a form that provides information regarding your voter registration. Toward the bottom, you will see the status of your registration, which will either be active or inactive.

Who is eligible to vote in Florida?

To be eligible to vote in Florida you must:

• Be a U.S. citizen (a lawful permanent resident, such as a “green card holder,” does not have the right to register or vote in Florida)

• Be a Florida resident

• Be at least 18 years old (you can pre-register to vote if you are 16 or 17 years old)

• Not have been adjudicated mentally incapacitated with respect to voting in Florida or any other state without having the right to vote restored

• Not have been convicted of a felony without your voting rights having been restored