Florida Bay Area voters have final days to cast ballots before Nov. 3

Voters in the Tampa Bay area are facing a split deadline for casting their ballots before the November 3 general election.

The end of the early voting period is not uniform across the region. In Hillsborough, Pinellas, Manatee, and Sarasota counties, polls remain open through Sunday, November 1. In Pasco, Hernando, Citrus, and Polk counties, early voting concludes on Saturday, October 31. The specific hours differ by county, with some locations operating from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., while others, such as Hernando and Citrus, close by 6 p.m. or 6:30 p.m. respectively.

The timeline for these elections has been set by the supervisors of elections in each county. The process allows registered voters to select any designated early voting location within their county, rather than being restricted to a specific precinct as required on Election Day. This flexibility is intended to reduce lines and allow voters to choose a time that fits their schedule. The current dates represent the final window for in-person voting before the main election day.

Voters who choose to cast their ballots in person must bring a current and valid photo identification that includes a signature. Acceptable forms of ID include a Florida driver's license, a U.S. passport, a military ID, or a student ID. A list of other accepted documents includes a debit or credit card, a retirement center ID, and a license to carry a concealed weapon. If a voter does not have one of these items, they can cast a provisional ballot. Election officials will then determine if that ballot meets the criteria to be counted.

For those who received a mail-in ballot, the deadline to ensure it is counted is strict. The completed ballot must be received by the county Supervisor of Elections office by 7 p.m. on Election Day, Tuesday, November 3. A postmark date is not sufficient to meet this deadline. Voters who have not yet returned their mail-in ballots should avoid sending them through the standard mail system now. Instead, they can deliver the ballot directly to the county elections office or place it in a secure drop box located at an early voting site during voting hours. These drop boxes are not available at regular Election Day polling places.

The general election takes place on Tuesday, November 3. Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. local time. On this day, voters must go to their assigned polling location. They can find this address on their county Supervisor of Elections website. Anyone standing in line by the 7 p.m. closing time is permitted to vote, even if their turn at the booth comes after the official closing hour.