Information checked: September 9, 2026.
Florida voters must request a vote-by-mail ballot from their county Supervisor of Elections. For the November 3, 2026 General Election, the statewide deadline to request that a ballot be mailed is October 22.
A request deadline is not a postmark rule for the completed ballot. The county must receive a returned domestic vote-by-mail ballot by 7 p.m. local time on Election Day.
Key answer: Request a mailed ballot by October 22, 2026. Return it early enough to be received by the county Supervisor of Elections by 7 p.m. on November 3. Track the ballot online, and if notified of a missing or mismatched signature, submit the cure affidavit and identification by 5 p.m. on November 5.
Table of contents
- The 2026 request and return deadlines
- How to request a ballot
- How to return it safely
- How to track the ballot
- How to cure a signature problem
- Frequently asked questions
The 2026 request and return deadlines
| Action | 2026 General Election deadline |
|---|---|
| Request that a ballot be mailed | October 22 |
| Mandatory early voting period | October 24-31 |
| County must receive returned ballot | 7 p.m. local time, November 3 |
| Signature cure deadline | 5 p.m. local time, November 5 |
Florida advises domestic nonmilitary voters to mail a completed ballot at least one week before Election Day. A late postmark does not rescue a ballot received after the deadline.
How to request a ballot
Submit the request to the Supervisor of Elections in the county where you are registered. A voter can request by phone, in person, or signed writing using the statewide request form for written requests. County online systems may also accept the required information.
The request generally includes your name, date of birth, address, and an identifying number that the supervisor can verify, such as a Florida driver license number, Florida identification card number, or the last four digits of the Social Security number. A written request also needs a signature.
How to return it safely
Follow the ballot instructions, use the correct return envelope, and sign the certificate. Return by mail, commercial carrier, in person, or an authorized secure ballot intake station according to county instructions.
Secure drop boxes at Supervisor of Elections offices can accept ballots until 7 p.m. on Election Day. Other sites operate only on posted days and hours. A domestic ballot cannot be returned by email, fax, or through a general website.
How to track the ballot
The Florida Division of Elections links to each county's request and ballot-status tool. Track after requesting, after the ballot is sent, and after returning it. A delivered mail scan is not the same as the county accepting the ballot.
If the status does not update, contact the county Supervisor of Elections directly. Voters in an address-confidentiality program may need to contact the office rather than use the public lookup.
How to cure a signature problem
The supervisor must notify a voter when the ballot-certificate signature is missing or does not match the signature on file. The voter can use Florida Form DS-DE 139 and provide a copy of accepted identification.
For the November 3 election, the statutory second-day deadline falls at 5 p.m. local time on November 5. The affidavit and identification can be returned using methods listed by the state, including mail, email, fax, or in person. Follow the county's instructions and confirm receipt.
Frequently asked questions
Is an Election Day postmark enough?
No for an ordinary domestic Florida vote-by-mail ballot. It must be received by 7 p.m. local time on Election Day.
Can I vote in person after requesting a mail ballot?
Yes. Bring the mail ballot if possible. The election office will check whether it has already been received and may issue a regular or provisional ballot as appropriate.
Can someone request a ballot for me?
Certain family members, a legal guardian, or an authorized designee for a voter with a disability may request under additional information and signature rules.
Does a request last forever?
No. Florida vote-by-mail requests expire under the cycle described by state law and must later be renewed.
Related guide
Final checklist
Request by October 22, return well before November 3, and track acceptance. Sign the certificate carefully and respond immediately to a cure notice because the November 5 cure deadline is short.