Florida voters should check vote-by-mail requests before November election

Florida voters who rely on mail ballots should check their request now rather than assume an older request remains active. Under the state’s current rule, a vote-by-mail request eventually expires and must be renewed for later elections.

The issue is immediate as Florida’s primary election takes place on August 18, 2026, followed by the general election on November 3, 2026. The deadline to request that a vote-by-mail ballot be mailed for the general election is 5 p.m. October 22, 2026.

Why an older request may expire

Florida changed the duration of vote-by-mail requests in 2021. The Florida Division of Elections says a request covers elections from the date it is submitted through the end of the calendar year for the next regularly scheduled general election. Voters must renew the request after that period if they want to continue receiving ballots by mail.

That does not mean every voter must submit a new request on one common date. The expiration depends on when the request was made and the election cycle it covers. Voters who used a mail ballot in an earlier election should check with the Supervisor of Elections in the county where they are registered.

An undeliverable vote-by-mail ballot cancels the request on record. If the voter later requests another ballot, the county elections office must receive or confirm the voter’s current residential address before issuing it.

Statewide reporting by WUSF and the Florida Phoenix said more than 1.1 million Florida voters had requested mail ballots for the 2026 primary as of July 14. Earlier WUSF reporting described declines in requests in Hillsborough, Pasco and Pinellas counties and concerns about voter awareness. Those regional figures do not establish a uniform statewide trend.

Key 2026 deadlines

August 6, 2026, at 5 p.m.: deadline to request that a ballot be mailed for the August 18 primary. That deadline has passed.
October 22, 2026, at 5 p.m.: deadline to request that a ballot be mailed for the November 3 general election.
October 24-31, 2026: mandatory early-voting period. Counties may offer additional early-voting days; voters should check with their county Supervisor of Elections.
November 3, 2026, by 7 p.m. local time: deadline for a completed domestic vote-by-mail ballot to be received by the county Supervisor of Elections.

The return deadline is based on when the county receives the ballot, not the postmark. The Division of Elections says the U.S. Postal Service recommends that domestic voters mail a completed ballot at least one week before Election Day to allow for delays. Voters may also return ballots in person or use secure drop boxes at approved county locations. Drop-box locations, dates and hours vary by county.

How to check or renew a request

Vote-by-mail requests must be made through the Supervisor of Elections in the county where the voter is registered. A voter may submit a request by signed writing using the statewide DS-DE 160 form, online through the county election website, by phone or in person.

A request generally includes the voter’s name, date of birth, address and a Florida driver license number, Florida identification card number or the last four digits of the Social Security number, whichever the county can verify. A written request requires a signature.

The state’s vote-by-mail status lookup provides county-by-county links to request a ballot and track a request or ballot. Voters should confirm that the elections office has the correct residential and mailing information, especially after moving or if a previous ballot was returned as undeliverable.

If the request or ballot status is unclear, contact the county Supervisor of Elections directly. County offices can explain local procedures, including ballot tracking, drop-box locations and any optional early-voting dates.

You can still vote in person

Requesting a mail ballot does not prevent a voter from voting at an early-voting site or polling place. The Division of Elections recommends bringing the ballot, marked or unmarked, when voting in person.

If the voter brings the ballot, election officials can take it and allow the voter to cast a regular ballot. If the voter does not bring it, the Supervisor of Elections must confirm whether the ballot was already returned and received. If it was not received, the voter may cast a regular ballot. If officials cannot determine the ballot’s status, the voter may cast a provisional ballot.

If the county has already received the mail ballot, it is considered cast. A voter who disputes that determination may still request a provisional ballot, which will be considered by the canvassing board.

What voters should do now

Check your county election website or contact the county Supervisor of Elections before the October 22, 2026, 5 p.m. general-election request deadline. Renew the request if necessary, verify your address and monitor the ballot’s mailing and return status.

If voting by mail, return the completed ballot early enough for it to arrive by 7 p.m. local time on November 3, 2026. If your plans change, bring the ballot to the polls and ask election officials to verify its status.

Sources

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