South Florida voters have until October 22 to request mail ballots

Voters in Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties have until Thursday, October 22, at 5 p.m. to request a Vote-by-Mail ballot for Florida’s November 3 general election.

The three county election offices are urging voters who plan to vote by mail to submit their requests before the deadline and return completed ballots early enough to meet their county’s receipt requirements.

Early voting is also underway across South Florida, running from October 19 through November 1, with voting sites open daily from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

While the request deadline is the same in all three counties, procedures for returning ballots vary.

In Miami-Dade County, completed Vote-by-Mail ballots must be received by the Supervisor of Elections by 7 p.m. on Election Day, November 3. Voters can return ballots through the US Postal Service, at secure ballot intake stations at early voting locations during operating hours, or in person at the Elections Headquarters in Doral or the branch office at the Stephen P. Clark Center in downtown Miami.

Ballots cannot be dropped off at Election Day polling places. Return postage is prepaid for the countywide election, so voters do not need to affix a stamp to the return envelope.

“Voting by mail provides voters with the convenience of reviewing and completing their ballot at home, but we encourage anyone who chooses this option to request their ballot sooner rather than later,” said Miami-Dade County Supervisor of Elections Alina Garcia. “Giving yourself additional time to receive, complete and return your ballot is one of the best ways to be election ready. Whether you choose to vote by mail, vote early or on Election Day, our goal is to make sure every eligible voter has the opportunity to make their voice heard.”

In Broward County, mail ballots must arrive at the Supervisor of Elections office or be deposited at a secure ballot intake station by 7 p.m. on November 3. Ballots may be returned at designated secure ballot intake stations at election offices or early voting locations during the early voting period. Voters cannot drop off a mail ballot at an Election Day polling place unless they are cancelling it to vote in person instead.

Broward’s ballots include prepaid return postage. Voters must sign the voter certificate on the return envelope, and the county encourages them to track their ballot online to confirm its status.

In Palm Beach County, completed Vote-by-Mail ballots must reach the Supervisor of Elections’ main office by 7 p.m. on Election Day. However, the deadline is earlier for ballots returned to branch offices or secure ballot intake stations: 5 p.m. on November 3.

Voters should account for those different deadlines when choosing where to return their ballots.

The deadline to register to vote in the November 3 general election was October 5. Registered voters can check their information, view sample ballots and track mail ballots through their respective county election websites.

Voters can access election information and request ballots through the following websites:

• Miami-Dade County: VoteMiamiDade.gov
• Broward County: BrowardVotes.gov
• Palm Beach County: VotePalmBeach.gov

Key dates

• October 22, 5 p.m.: Deadline to request a Vote-by-Mail ballot in all three counties.
• October 19-November 1: Early voting, daily from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
• November 3, 7 a.m.-7 p.m.: General Election Day.
• November 3, 7 p.m.: Mail ballot receipt deadline in Miami-Dade and Broward counties, and at Palm Beach County’s main office.
• November 3, 5 p.m.: Mail ballot receipt deadline at Palm Beach County branch offices and secure ballot intake stations.