Election Day in Central Florida: What you need to know

It's Election Day in Central Florida.

Of course most voters across the region and nation are focused on the presidential election pitting Vice President Kamala Harris against former President Donald Trump, but there are several other important races impacting local residents.

In addition to the statewide Senate race, there are multiple races for local representatives. Also, voters will decide school board members, judges, state attorney and decide on key statewide amendments.

Hillsborough County voters also will be tasked with the future of a key community tax and referendum to pay for teacher raises.

Despite a busy early voting period, millions will still be headed to the polls today to vote in person.

Here's everything you need before heading out to vote:

Governor Ron DeSantis issued Executive Order 24-212 and Executive Order 24-234 to ensure residents impacted by Hurricanes Helene and Milton still have the ability to vote.

When do polls open on election day?

Polls on Election Day are open from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m. (local time). Florida has two time-zones – Central and Eastern. Any voter who is standing in line at 7 p.m. (local time) in their county is still eligible to cast a vote. For more information on Election Day voting, click here.

Where's my precinct or polling location? What if my polling location changes?

Precinct and polling location information can be found on your voter information card. To find your precinct or polling location online, or for the most current information about polling place changes, visit your Supervisor of Elections' website or contact the office. Contact information is here.

What do I bring with me to vote? What form of photo ID do I need?

You will need to bring a current and valid photo identification with a signature. Approved forms of photo 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; 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; or an employee identification card issued by any branch, department, agency, or entity of the Federal Government, the state, a county, or a municipality (Section 101.043, F.S.).

If the photo identification does not have a signature, you must provide additional identification with your signature.

A voter information card is not an acceptable form of ID. Your card is a good source of information about your voter registration including your assigned precinct and polling location for Election Day.

Can I still vote if I do not bring identification?

Yes, you will be allowed to vote a provisional ballot.

What happens if someone challenges my eligibility to vote at the polls?

A voter can be challenged for a number of reasons.

If you are challenged at the polls, you still have the right to vote a provisional ballot.

If you are challenged because of your address, you may still be able to vote a regular ballot if your new address corresponds to the same precinct. If your new address falls within another precinct, the poll worker will direct you to the proper precinct. Contact your supervisor of elections for further questions. Contact information is here.

How do I find out if my provisional ballot was counted?

Your Notice of Rights will include instructions on how to find out if your provisional ballot was counted, and if not, the reason(s) why. You should be able to get this information no later than 30 days following the election. (Sections 101.048, Fla. Stat.) Contact information is here.

What are the ways I can return my vote-by-mail ballot?

Visit the Vote-by-Mail page for information on how to return a Vote-by-Mail Ballot.

Where are secure ballot intake stations? Are secure ballot intake stations secure?

Visit the Vote-by-Mail page for more information under the header How to Return a Vote-by-Mail Ballot.

Where can I see if my mail-in ballot was received?

You can check the status of your mail-in ballot by providing your name and birthdate on the Florida Division of Elections website. Your county's Supervisor of Elections will also be able to provide that information.

When are vote-by-mail ballots counted?

Mail-in ballots are usually counted before all the in-person ballots, despite a common myth that suggests otherwise. Those numbers are among the first results reported on election night.

Can I change my vote on a mail-in ballot if I change my mind?

No.

Unlike other states, Florida will not allow you to change your vote after you send in your vote-by-mail ballot. However, if you make a mistake while you're filling it out, the Supervisor of Elections will send you up to two replacement ballots.

If you decide not to submit your mail in ballot, bring it with you to your assigned polling place so that you can cancel your mail in ballot and complete a new ballot in person.

If the local Supervisor of Elections can confirm that they have not received a mail in ballot with your name, you can fill out a ballot in person at your polling location.

If the supervisor is unable to confirm that they have not received your mail in ballot, and you assert that you did not vote, you can vote using a provisional ballot.

What if my vote-by-mail ballot signature doesn't match the one on file?

You will be notified by the Supervisor of Elections. That's why it's so important to include your contact information.

You must complete a "Vote-By Mail Ballot Cure Affidavit" and send it to your county's Supervisor of Elections by 5 p.m. two days after Election Day. It's the same process if you forgot to sign your ballot, and if you miss the deadline, your vote will not be counted.

Everyone's signature changes over time, so you can always send in a new voter registration form to make sure your signature is up to date and avoid any issues.

Can I vote in person if I requested a mail-in ballot?

Yes.

Bring your vote-by-mail ballot with you to the polls. If the poll workers can't confirm that your vote hasn't already been counted, you will be allowed to vote on a provisional ballot.

How can I be sure that my vote-by-mail ballot will count?

Keep your voter registration record current and up to date including your signature which is used to compare against a signature on a ballot certificate. In order to find that signatures do not match between a ballot certificate and a voter registration record, the canvassing board must make such determination by a majority vote and beyond a reasonable doubt.

Follow carefully the instructions that come with the ballot and envelope and remember to sign your envelope.

Return your voted ballot no later than the deadline for receipt in the Supervisor of Elections' office. If returning by mail, build in additional time to return the ballot by mail. Other options for return are to deliver in person or to drop off in officially designated secure ballot intake stations in your county. For the location, dates, and times these stations in your county and/or about their security, visit your Supervisor of Elections' website or contact their office. Contact information is here.

Track the return of your ballot in advance of Election Day to ensure that your ballot has been received. You can track online your vote-by-mail ballot request and ballot. Any voter who has requested a vote-by-mail ballot can track online the status of his or her ballot from the date of request through its return to the Supervisor of Elections' office. Visit your county Supervisor of Elections' website or contact their office directly if you are unable to find the information for which you are looking.

What should a voter do if intimidated or threatened by text, phone, email, or in person?

Provisions exist in law, including not limited to, for felony offenses for deprivation of or interference with voting (Section 104.0515, Fla. Stat.), intimidation and suppression (Section 104.0615, Fla. Stat.), influencing or interfering with voting (Section 104.061, Fla. Stat.), threatening to control votes of employees (Section 104.081, Fla. Stat.). Contact immediately your local law enforcement, Supervisor of Elections' office, and/or the Division of Elections (and file an election fraud complaint).

Can I vote if I am a convicted felon?

In order to register to vote and/or vote in Florida, you must not be convicted of a felony or if you have, you must have had your voting rights restored.

If convicted of murder or felony sexual offense, voting rights in Florida can only be restored through clemency pursuant to section 8, Art. V of the Florida Constitution. To apply for clemency, search for grant of clemency and certificates, and/or find out more information about clemency, visit the website for the Florida Commission on Offender Review.

If convicted of any other felony offense, voting rights are restored upon completion of all terms of a sentence including parole or probation pursuant to section 4., Art. VI of the Florida Constitution. Such convicted felon may alternatively apply for clemency to restore voting rights.

Election Day in Central Florida: Here's what you need to know