HomeVoting Q&A

Voting Q&A

This is a reference page that addresses election rules and procedures, and where to go to resolve voting problems.

Click on a topic from the following list and it will appear at the top of the page. Or scroll through the topics and responses below.

For more information contact the Supervisor of Elections at 561-656-6200 or via their website.

• Why Vote?

• Register to Vote

• Update Your Voter Registration

• Check Voter Status

• Request Vote by Mail Ballot

• BallotTrax - Track Your Vote by Mail Ballot

• Election Dates and Cutoffs

• Acceptable Identification at Voting Site

• Early Voting

• Election Day Voting

• Candidate Forums

• Problem with Your Voter Registration

• Problem Voting - What to Do

• Restoration of Voter Rights

• Free Rides to the Polls

• Disability Accessible Voting Equipment

Why Vote?
Everyone has issues that they care about. Here are just a few:

climate change
abortion
the economy and jobs
healthcare
affordable housing
immigration
gun safety
voting issues
racial issues
foreign policy
taxes
LGBTQ+

Voting gives you the opportunity to choose the candidates that value what you care about and that will help make a difference. If you don’t vote, you have no influence on your issues!

You can find out how candidates feel on issues important to you by looking at the Voter Guide for the upcoming election.

Watch WHY VOTE and see many reasons why voting is important.

Register to Vote

If you are a legal resident of Florida and have a Florida driver license, FL driver permit, or FL identification card, you can register online at the RegisterToVoteFlorida.gov. You’ll also need the last 4 digits of your Social Security number.

If you do not have the above items, you can still register using a paper form at any Supervisor of Elections office or library. The Palm Beach County Supervisor of Election website has more information.

To register, you must be a U.S. citizen, 18 years old or more (16 years to preregister), not have been convicted of a felony (unless your right to vote has been restored), and have been adjudicated mentally incapacitated.

Update Your Voter Registration
You can update your voter registration online, including your name, address, and party affiliation, as long as you have your Florida driver license, FL driver permit, or FL identification card, and the last 4 digits of your Social Security number.

If you do not have these items or if you want to update your signature, you can complete a new paper Voter Registration form. The form can be obtained by going to a Supervisor of Elections office or to a public library. The completed form should be mailed or delivered directly to a Supervisor of Elections office.

Check Voter Status
You can check your voter status online, at the Supervisor of Elections website, including whether you are registered to vote and whether you have an active request on file to receive a Vote by Mail ballot.

Several months before an election you should check your status to be certain that your other information is also correct.

Request Vote by Mail Ballot
Vote by Mail requests expire at the end of each even year. If you want to get a Vote by Mail Ballot, you can request it online if you have a Florida driver license, FL driver permit, or FL identification card, OR the last 4 digits of your Social Security number.

You can also request it by phone (561-656-6208), by fax (561-656-6230) or by visiting any of the four Supervisor of Elections offices.

BallotTrax -Track Your Vote by Mail Ballot
In Palm Beach County you can enroll in BallotTrax to track your Vote by Mail ballot on the Supervisor of Elections website.

Once you sign up, you will receive notices by email, text, and/or phone from the Supervisor of Elections when your ballot is sent to you. You will receive additional notifications when the SOE receives your ballot and again when your vote is recorded.

You will also be informed if there is a problem. If you receive notice that there is a problem with your ballot, immediately call the Supervisor of Elections at 561-656-6200.

Election Dates and Cutoffs

During an election cycle for Florida officials and for US officials, you will find a summary of election dates and cutoffs on this website in the "Elections" menu. For exact information visit the Supervisor of Elections website.

Acceptable Identification at Voting Site
• Florida Driver License
• Florida ID Card (issued by DHSMV)
• U.S. Passport
• Debit or Credit Card
• Military ID
• Student ID
• Retirement Center ID
• Neighborhood Association ID
• Public Assistance ID
• Veteran Health ID (issued by the US Department of Veterans Affairs)
• Concealed Weapon License (issued pursuant to F.S. 790.06)
• Employee ID card issued by any branch, department, agency, or entity of the Federal Government, the state, a county, or a municipality.

If your photo ID does not include your signature, you will be asked to provide another ID that has your signature. If you do not bring your ID, you may still vote, however, you will be required to vote a provisional ballot, which will later be evaluated by a canvassing board for eligibility.

Early Voting
• If you are registered, you can go to any early voting location in the county.
• You can make an appointment for early voting.
• You can drop off your Vote by Mail ballot at any early voting site.
• Early voting locations can be found at the Supervisor of Elections website.
• Be sure to bring your acceptable ID (noted in the answer to "Acceptable Identification at Voting Site").

Election Day Voting
On Election Day, you must vote at the polling location assigned to your precinct. Your precinct and poll location are on the Supervisor of Elections’ website. Be sure to bring an acceptable ID. (See section about Acceptable Identification at Voting Site on this web page.)

Candidate Forums
The League of Women Voters is a nonpartisan organization that arranges and moderates Candidate Forums for individuals running for office. All candidates are invited to participate and are asked the same questions. To schedule a Candidate Forum and to see a list of scheduled Forums, send an email to info@lwvpbc.org.

Problem with Your Voter Registration
To avoid problems with voting, check your voter status at the Supervisor of Elections website several months prior to each election. Check whether you are registered to vote, have an active request on file to receive a Vote by Mail ballot, and if your other information is correct and complete.

Some people have been accidentally dropped from the voter rolls. If there is a problem, call or visit the nearest Supervisor of Elections website immediately to try to resolve the problem.

Problem Voting - What to Do
On Election Day if you are told you are at the wrong polling location, try to go to the correct location. If that is not possible, you can request a provisional ballot. A provisional ballot is the same as a regular ballot but, before it is counted, it must be reviewed and approved by a 3-person panel who will determine if your ballot will be counted.

If you encounter intimidation outside the polling location, report it to a poll worker, a police officer, or an Election Protection poll monitor outside the polling location. Poll monitors wear identifiable tee-shirts. Poll monitors work outside and may be part of a coalition of organizations to assure safe passage to polling locations. You can also call the Election Protection hotline poll monitors at 1-866-OUR-VOTE (866-687-8683) if you have problems.

If you encounter a problem inside the polling location, first ask to speak to a supervisor. If your problem is not resolved, call the Supervisor of Elections at 561-656-6200. If you cannot or the problem still is not resolved, contact an Election Protection poll monitor. They will be outside and will have identifiable tee-shirts. You can also call the Election Protection hotline poll monitors at 1-866-OUR-VOTE (866-687-8683) if you have problems.

Restoration of Voter Rights
In 2018, a constitutional amendment was passed in Florida that authorizes citizens who have been convicted of a felony and who have completed their sentence, including fines, fees, court costs, and restitution, to register to vote. Those found guilty of murder or sexual offenses may not have voting rights restored.

Individuals who are uncertain if they have met the requirements:
• Call the Palm beach County Bar Association at 561-687-3266, or go to their website.
• If the offense occurred in another county, contact the Florida Rights Restoration Committee (FRRC) at 1-877-698-6830 for assistance. Information can also be obtained from court clerks in other counties at https://www.stateofflorida.com/clerks-of-court.aspx.
• Registrants who offended in other states can register to vote in Florida if they have been cleared of felonies committed in other states.
• If unsure about your eligibility, contact the Florida Rights Restoration Committee (FRRC) at 1-877-698-6830 or 407-734-1410.

Do not register if you are uncertain! You could be charged with a Class 3 felony for submitting false information.

Free Rides to the Polls
Free rides to the polls are often available on Election Day in November, and sometimes during early voting for general elections.

Available Sources:
Note: Sources may change and will be updated closer to the general election.

PalmTran
-Call 561-841-4287 then select option 3.
-PalmTran will offer fare-free rides to anyone who tells drivers they are going to vote during general elections.

The West Palm Beach Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. and Rose’s Transportation Services
-Sometimes offer free rides to the polls.

NAACP
-Offers free rides tot he polls on Election Day.

Lyft
-Offers 50% discount on rides to polling locations as part of their "Voting Access Program".

UBER
-Use the "Get Out the Vote" tile on the app to book a discounted ride to the polls.

Contact info will be posted here when rides dates are available.

Disability Accessible Voting Equipment
Palm Beach County has special voting equipment available for voters requiring particular devices. Contact the Supervisor of Elections to learn more.