Want to vote in Florida’s presidential primary? The deadline to register is coming up fast
The deadline to register for Florida’s Presidential Preference Primary is rapidly approaching. Here’s what you need to know about voting to determine a party nominee.
In Florida, the primary election will be held on March 17, but because of the closed-primary system, anyone interested in voting for a Democrat or Republican candidate must declare themselves as a member of that party by Feb. 18.
Voters registered as Independent or one of the minor parties will not be allowed to vote on their presidential preference in the primary election.
The candidate that receives the most votes from each party will earn that party’s delegates, which help decide the party nominee at the national conventions held in the summer.
To become a registered voter, update your voter information or switch political parties, visit the state website at RegistertoVoteFlorida.gov or contact the Manatee County Supervisor of Elections.
Who is on the Democrat Presidential Primary election ballot?
As of Jan. 30, there are 11 candidates running for the Democrat nomination. The winner — officially determined at the Democratic National Convention this summer — will advance to the Nov. 3 General Election.
They are as follows:
- Michael Bennet
- Joe Biden
- Mike Bloomberg
- Pete Buttigieg
- Tulsi Gabbard
- Amy Klobuchar
- Deval Patrick
- Bernie Sanders
- Tom Steyer
- Elizabeth Warren
- Andrew Yang
Who is on the Republican Presidential Primary election ballot?
While President Donald Trump is the Republican party’s presumptive nominee, he’ll face some competition in March when voters consider some lesser-known challengers. The party will make an official decision during the Republican National Convention this summer.
These are the candidates that will be on the Republican Primary Election ballot:
- Roque “Rocky” De La Fuente
- President Donald Trump (incumbent)
- Joe Walsh
- Bill Weld
What do I need to bring to my polling location?
To avoid issues at your designated polling location, make sure you bring a valid Florida Driver’s License or a Florida identification card.
How do I vote early in the Presidential Preference Primary Election?
Voters in Manatee County can opt to cast an early vote in the primary election by visiting any one of the five locations between Saturday, March 7 and Saturday, March 14 from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Supervisor of Elections Office, 600 301 Blvd. W., Bradenton
- Lakewood Ranch Town Hall, 8175 Lakewood Ranch Blvd., Lakewood Ranch
- Manatee County Utilities Administration Office, 4410 66th St. W., Bradenton
- Palmetto Library, 923 Sixth St. W., Palmetto
- Rocky Bluff Library, 6750 U.S. 301, Ellenton
What do I need to know about voting by mail?
If you plan to vote by mail, Manatee County Supervisor of Elections Michael Bennett urges you to slow down before casting your ballot. Some candidates are still in the process of dropping out, and to make sure your vote counts, it’s best to wait, he said.
Because vote by mail ballots have already been sent out, some of the candidates on the ballot, such as John Delaney and Cory Booker, are no longer in the race.
“A lot of people are going to want to vote for people that are no longer running,” Bennett explained. “Even though people have their mail ballot, don’t be in a big rush to get it back to me.”
Bennett said he made that mistake himself, when he cast an early vote and his candidate dropped out three days later.
“At least hold on to it for a couple weeks, and we’ll process it on time, but I’m more concerned about the people of Manatee County making their vote count,” said Bennett.
Vote by mail ballots must be delivered to the Supervisor of Elections Office by 7 p.m. on March 17.
How do delegates work?
The primary voting system determines how a state like Florida assigns its delegates. When the two major parties host their national conventions this summer, state delegates will announce which candidate they support based on the result of primary and caucus voters.
The candidate with the most delegates wins the party nomination and advances to the General Election in November.
Unlike the primary election, each eligible vote may cast a ballot in the General Election.
For more information, visit www.VoteManatee.com or call (941) 741-3823.
This story was originally published January 31, 2020 at 7:41 AM.
