ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — Early voting began Monday for a major milestone in this year’s Presidential Preference Primary, and it’s just ahead of Super Tuesday, when several other states will also be voting to determine the Republican party's official presidential nominee. 

What You Need To Know

  • Early voting in the Republican Presidential Preference Primary opened Monday in Orange County

  • President Joe Biden is running unopposed among Democrats in Florida, so there is no Democratic primary

  • Several municipalities — including Apopka, Eatonville and Winter Park — also have elections and some charter questions

  • Polls are open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily through March 17

Central Florida has several local elections this week, too.

In this Presidential Preference Primary, Republicans are the focus because Florida is a “closed primary state,” but also because the Democratic party canceled its presidential primary. Being a closed primary state means voters can only cast ballots for candidates of the party for which they are registered.

President Joe Biden is running unopposed in Florida, so there is no need for Democrats to cast ballots. He’s already been deemed the Democratic party’s candidate.

For Republicans, however, the battle continues between former president Donald Trump and former South Carolina governor Nikki Haley for the nomination.

Twenty early voting locations will open Monday for registered Orange County Republicans to vote.

Florida law states that any candidates who did not officially withdraw before Dec. 12 would remain on the ballot, and any votes cast for them would still count for that candidate. So, voters might see names on the ballot for candidates who have already dropped out of the race.

Even voters who do not have a presidential primary vote to cast may have a municipal election in which to cast ballots this week.

Any registered voter who lives in a city in Orange Council where an election is being held can participate. Some of those include city council or commission races in Apopka, Eatonville, Ocoee, Winter Garden and Winter Park. There are also mayoral races in Winter Park and Oakland, as well as some charter questions in Eatonville, Edgewood, Maitland and Ocoee.

Polls opened at 10 a.m. Monday and close at 6 p.m. As long as voters are in line by 6 p.m., they will be able to cast their ballot. Polls will be open each day through Sunday, March 17.

A full list of early voting locations can be found on the Orange County Supervisor of Elections Office.