Election Information
Election Results
How To Report Election Law Violations
Violations relating to chapters 104 and 106 and section 105.071, Florida Statutes, should be reported by sworn written complaint to the Florida Elections Commission, Suite 224 Collins Building, 107 West Gaines Street, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-1050, 850-922-4539.
The Florida Elections Commission is an entity not aligned or affiliated with the Department of State, Division of Elections.
(see section 106.25, Florida Statutes)
Violations of either the National Voter Registration Act of 1993, the Help America Vote Act of 2002, or any irregularities or fraud involving voter registration, candidate or issue petitions, removal procedures, or voting under the Florida Election Code should be reported in writing to the Division of Elections, Room 316, R.A. Gray Building, 500 S. Bronough Street, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-1050, 850-245-6200.
All other violations should be reported to the local state attorney.
(see sections 97.012(15), 97.023, and 97.028, Florida Statutes)
Frequently Asked Questions
Do the courts get prospective jurors’ names from voter registration rolls?
No. In 1992 the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles took on the responsibility to begin building a database of prospective jurors, based on applicants for driver’s licenses and Florida identification cards. The database was to be fully operational by 1998. Since 1998, the DHSMV has been required to provide the jury list to the clerk of the circuit court in each county on an annual basis.
Must I choose a political party when I register to vote?
No, you’re not required to choose a political party. If you do not choose a party, you will be registered as “No Party Affiliation” (NPA). Voters registered as NPA may not vote for party candidates (Democrat, Republican, Libertarian Party, etc.) in a primary election but may vote for nonpartisan candidates (such as school board and judicial candidates) and issues in a primary election.
Does being “No Party Affiliation” mean I can vote for anyone in a primary election?
No. Because Florida is a closed-primary state, only the political parties have primary elections. The primary elections are considered to be “nominating” elections, and you will have to be registered as a member of the party whose primary election you wish to vote in. There is an exception, however: All voters may vote in a primary election for nonpartisan races, such as school board members, judges and referenda. The only other exception is for a Universal Primary Contest.
What is a Universal Primary Contest?
If all candidates in a race have the same party affiliation and the winner will be determined by the outcome of the primary election, then all qualified voters, regardless of party affiliation, may vote in the primary election for that office.
Do I have to re-register to vote for every election?
No, but you must notify the Supervisor of Elections Office if you move or change your name.
I lost my voter card. Can I still vote?
Yes. The voter identification cards issued prior to January 1, 2006 are no longer valid for identification for voting and are no longer issued. When you registered to vote, you are issued a “voter information card,” which simply provides information to you about your voter registration. Florida law requires photo and signature identification for voting.
What identification do I need to vote?
For voting, you must have photo and signature identification, such as a driver’s license or Florida identification card issued by the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, or you may use two separate types of identification as long as one has a signature and one has a photograph. The following types of identification may be used according to Florida law:
- 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
- Public assistance identification
- Veteran health identification card issued by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs
- License to carry a concealed weapon or firearm issued pursuant to s. 790.06
- Employee identification card issued by any branch, department, agency, or entity of the Federal Government, the state, a county, or a municipality.
What happens if I forget to bring my ID to the polls?
You’ll be entitled to vote a provisional ballot.
What is a “provisional ballot”?
A provisional ballot is a conditional ballot, the validity of which will be determined by the Canvassing Board. The voter may provide written evidence supporting his or her eligibility to vote to the Elections Office no later than 5 p.m. on the second day following the election.
If a voter votes a provisional ballot because he or she did not have the proper identification, the ballot will be counted if the voter’s signature on the Provisional Ballot Voter’s Certificate and Affirmation matches the signature on the voter’s registration record and if the voter voted in the proper precinct.
Can I bring my children with me to the polling place?
Yes, you may bring your children with you. Bringing your children with you helps to educate them on the importance of voting.
Can I change my political party at the polls?
No. Registration books close 29 days before an election, so party changes must be done prior to the book closing date in order to be in effect for that election.
If I’m physically impaired in some way, can I bring someone with me to help me vote?
Yes, you may but you are not required to. If you need assistance, two of our poll workers from different political parties (if available) will assist you as needed, or you may bring someone to help you. Anyone who assists you other than two election officials must sign an oath prior to providing assistance. We also have one touch-screen voting machine in each polling place capable of allowing disabled voters to vote, secretly and independently, without assistance.
What happens if I make a mistake on my ballot?
Tell the poll workers that you have made a mistake. You will be issued a new ballot in exchange for your “spoiled” ballot, which will be sealed in an envelope and never opened. You may have up to two replacement ballots if you make a mistake on your first ballot, but only one of them will count.
What is an “under-vote”?
An under-vote occurs when the voter does not mark any choice for or against a measure or candidate.
What is an “over-vote”?
An “over-vote” occurs when a voter marks more than the allowable choices or candidates for a particular office or measure.
Where can I get a sample ballot?
Sample ballots are published in the local newspaper before each election. We post sample ballots on our Web site, too, and copies will be available in our office.
Can I bring my marked sample ballot to the polls?
Yes, as long as you do not display it for others to see and do not leave it in the polling place. Use of a sample ballot is encouraged.
Can I talk on my cell phone while I’m in the voting booth?
No. Voters should silence or turn off their cell phones prior to entering a polling place. Except as provided for voters who need assistance to vote, it is unlawful for voters to speak with anyone while in the voting booth. (Section 101.51, Florida Statutes)
What percentage comprises a win in the primary election?
The partisan candidate receiving the highest number of votes will be nominated. In nonpartisan races — such as school board and judicial races — if no candidate receives a majority of the votes, the top two candidates will be voted on in the general election.
There is a polling place closer to my home than the one shown on my voter information card. Why can’t I vote in the polling place that’s closer to my home?
Each voter in Florida must be registered and vote in the precinct of his or her residence – not the precinct where the voter owns property, is employed, or where it’s most convenient to the voter’s place of business (Section 101.045, Florida Statutes). Residence is determined both by the individual’s intent plus physical presence. The voter’s precinct of residence is where he or she lives, spends his or her nights, keeps his or her clothes, etc. A voter may own many houses; but under the law, only one house may be his or her permanent legal residence.
I own property in Holmes County but I don’t live here. Why can’t I vote here?
Each voter in Florida must be registered and vote in the precinct of his or her residence – not the precinct where the voter owns property, is employed, or where it’s most convenient to the voter’s place of business (Section 101.045, Florida Statutes). Residence is determined both by the individual’s intent plus physical presence. The voter’s precinct of residence is where he or she lives, spends his or her nights, keeps his or her clothes, etc. A voter may own many houses; but under the law, only one house may be his or her permanent legal residence.
How may I become a poll worker?
Contact us for details and an application. Poll workers must be registered to vote in the county in which they serve.
I've been convicted of a felony but served my time. Can I register to vote?
Yes, you can register to vote if your civil rights have been restored.
How can I find out if my civil rights have been restored?
To find out if your rights have been restored, contact:
The Office of Executive Clemency
2601 Blair Stone Road, Building C
Tallahassee, FL 32399-2450
Phone (850) 488-2952, Fax (850) 488-0695
E-mail: [email protected]
Or visit the Office of Executive Clemency’s Web site at https://www.fcor.state.fl.us/.
If I have more questions, where can I get answers?
Please feel free to call or visit our office at any time. We’re located in the basement of the Holmes County Courthouse:
Holmes County Supervisor of Elections
201 N. Oklahoma St. Suite 102, Bonifay, FL 32425
Phone (850) 547-1107, Fax (850) 547-4168
E-mail: [email protected]