Florida’s 2026 primary election is on Tuesday, August 18, 2026. The general election follows on Tuesday, November 3, 2026. For voters in Manatee and Hillsborough counties who want to participate in choosing the next congressman for Florida’s 16th District, here is everything you need to know.
Step 1: Make Sure You Are Registered to Vote in Florida
Florida is a closed primary state. That means you may only vote in a Republican primary if you are registered as a Republican, and only in a Democratic primary if you are registered as a Democrat. Independent and No Party Affiliation (NPA) voters cannot vote in partisan primaries.
To vote in the August 18 primary, you must be registered with a political party no later than July 20, 2026 — 29 days before the primary. This is also the deadline to change your party affiliation. If you are currently registered as No Party Affiliation and want to vote in the Republican primary, you must change your registration by July 20.
- Check your Manatee County registration: votemanatee.com
- Check your Hillsborough County registration: votehillsborough.gov
- Register or update online: RegisterToVoteFlorida.gov
How to Register or Update Your Florida Voter Registration
Florida offers several ways to register or update your registration:
- Online: RegisterToVoteFlorida.gov — the fastest option. You will need your Florida driver’s license number or the last four digits of your Social Security number.
- In person: At your county Supervisor of Elections office. Manatee: 600 301 Blvd W, Bradenton. Hillsborough: 601 E Kennedy Blvd, Tampa.
- At the DMV: When getting or renewing a Florida driver’s license or state ID, you can register or update your registration.
- By mail: Download a voter registration form from your county Supervisor of Elections website and mail it in. Must be postmarked by the registration deadline.
What to register with: Florida requires a Florida driver’s license or ID number, or the last four digits of your Social Security number to register online. If you do not have either, you can still register and will provide identification the first time you vote.
Voting Options: In-Person, Early Voting, and Vote by Mail
Election Day (August 18, 2026). Polls are open 7 AM to 7 PM. You must vote at the polling place assigned to your precinct — look up your specific polling location at votemanatee.com (Manatee) or votehillsborough.gov (Hillsborough). Bring a valid photo ID with signature — a Florida driver’s license, Florida ID card, U.S. passport, military ID, or other government-issued photo ID.
Early voting. Florida requires a minimum of 8 days of early voting. For the August 18 primary, early voting is expected to begin approximately August 8. Both Manatee and Hillsborough counties offer multiple early voting locations. You may vote at any early voting site in your county — not just the one closest to your home. Check your county Supervisor of Elections website for confirmed locations and hours as the primary approaches.
Vote by mail. Any registered voter in Florida may request a mail ballot — no excuse required. Request your mail ballot from your county Supervisor of Elections at least a week before the election to ensure delivery time. Your completed mail ballot must be received (not just postmarked) by your Supervisor of Elections by 7 PM on Election Day. You may also return your mail ballot in person to any early voting site or your Supervisor of Elections office during early voting or on Election Day.
Signature verification: Florida requires all mail ballots to include your signature on the outer envelope. Election officials compare this to your registration signature. If there is a discrepancy, you will be contacted and given an opportunity to cure it before the canvassing deadline.
Key Dates at a Glance
| Deadline / Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Voter registration / party change deadline (Primary) | July 20, 2026 |
| Vote-by-mail request deadline | ~August 11, 2026 |
| Early voting period | ~August 8–15, 2026 |
| Primary Election Day | August 18, 2026 |
| Voter registration deadline (General) | October 5, 2026 |
| General Election | November 3, 2026 |
Early voting dates and vote-by-mail request deadlines are confirmed by each county Supervisor of Elections. Check county websites for exact dates closer to the election.
County Contact Information
- Manatee County Supervisor of Elections: votemanatee.com | (941) 741-3823 | 600 301 Blvd W, Bradenton, FL 34205
- Hillsborough County Supervisor of Elections: votehillsborough.gov | 601 E Kennedy Blvd, Tampa, FL 33602
- Florida statewide voter registration: registertovoteflorida.gov
The most important step you can take right now is checking your registration. It takes two minutes and prevents surprises on Election Day. Read more about Florida’s election security laws →
Frequently Asked Questions
When is Florida’s 2026 primary election?
Florida’s 2026 primary election is Tuesday, August 18, 2026. The general election is Tuesday, November 3, 2026. Polls are open 7 AM to 7 PM on both election days.
What is the voter registration deadline for Florida’s 2026 primary?
The voter registration and party affiliation change deadline for the August 18, 2026 primary is July 20, 2026 — 29 days before the primary. Florida is a closed primary state: only registered Republicans can vote in the Republican primary. If you are registered as No Party Affiliation (NPA) and want to vote in the Republican primary, you must change your registration to Republican by July 20.
Can independents (NPA) vote in Florida’s primary?
No. Florida is a closed primary state — only registered members of a political party can vote in that party’s primary. Voters registered as No Party Affiliation (NPA) or Independent cannot vote in the Republican or Democratic primaries. NPA voters can vote in the November general election. To vote in the August 18 Republican primary, change your registration to Republican at registertovoteflorida.gov by July 20, 2026.
How do I request a mail ballot for Florida’s 2026 primary?
Contact your county Supervisor of Elections to request a mail ballot: Manatee County at votemanatee.com or (941) 741-3823; Hillsborough County at votehillsborough.gov. Request your ballot at least one to two weeks before the election to allow delivery time. Completed ballots must be received (not just postmarked) by 7 PM on August 18. You may also return your completed mail ballot in person at any early voting site or the Supervisor of Elections office.
What ID do I need to vote in person in Florida?
Florida requires a valid photo ID with signature to vote in person. Acceptable forms include a Florida driver’s license or ID card, U.S. passport, military ID, student ID from a Florida public university or college, and other government-issued photo IDs. Voters without acceptable ID may cast a provisional ballot and present identification within two days to have it counted.
Check your registration, mark your calendar, and make your vote count for Florida’s 16th District. Join John Peters’ campaign and stay informed about the 2026 race.