Ready to vote, Manatee County? Here’s how to make sure you are registered 

The Nov. 3 general election is rapidly approaching, and Manatee County voters are running out of time to ensure that they are registered by the Oct. 5 deadline.

It only takes a few seconds to check your voter registration status online and find out if you need to re-register or update your information.

Check existing voter registration status

For Manatee County residents, a voter registration check can be accessed on the Supervisor of Elections website at votemanatee.com. First and last name and date of birth are needed to perform a search. Note that you must be a legal resident of the county where you wish to vote.

The Manatee County Supervisor of Elections website also has tools to confirm election day polling place information, view a sample ballot and register to vote by mail.

Voter information can also be accessed through the Florida Division of Elections online search tool at registration.elections.myflorida.com/en/CheckVoterStatus. This tool is also helpful for residents who are unsure of the county where they are registered to vote.

Once the search results appear, make sure that the listed name, address, county and party affiliation information is correct, and that voter status is listed as “active.”

A link at the bottom of the page titled “Ballot and Precinct Information” will direct voters to precinct details, including voter demographics and a list of office holders who represent the precinct at the local, state and federal levels.

Under the “Upcoming Elections” tab, voters can find important dates, vote-by-mail status, early voting options and election day polling location info.

Register or update information

To vote in Florida, you must:

• Be a citizen of the United States of America.
• Be a legal resident of Florida.
• Be a legal resident of the county in which you seek to be registered.
• Be at least 16 years old to preregister or at least 18 years old to register and vote.
• Not be a person who has been adjudicated mentally incapacitated with respect to voting in Florida or any other state without having the right to vote restored.
• Not be a person convicted of a felony without having your right to vote restored.

New registration for first-time voters and updates for currently registered voters can both be performed on the Florida Division of Elections website at registertovoteflorida.gov.

Online applicants will need a Florida driver’s license or state-issued identification card and the last four digits of their social security number. Applicants who are unable to provide both items should instead print out and sign an application. The form can then be mailed or delivered to the local Supervisor of Elections office. Manatee County’s elections office is located at 600 301 Blvd. W., Bradenton.

Registrants who have trouble accessing information online or who need further assistance can contact the Division of Elections’ toll-free voter assistance hotline at 1-866-308-6739 or contact the Manatee County Supervisor of Elections Office at 941-741-3823 and Info@VoteManatee.com.

Deadlines and other important dates

Oct. 5: You must register to vote by this date if you want to participate in the Nov. 3 general election.

Oct. 19: Early voting begins. Early voting locations will be open from 8:30 a.m.-6:30 p.m. daily.

Oct. 24: This is the last day to request a vote-by-mail ballot. Requests must be submitted by 5 p.m.

Nov. 1: Early voting ends.

Nov. 3: Election Day. Polls are open from 7 a.m.-7p.m. in Manatee County. Vote-by-mail ballots must also be received by 7 p.m.

This story was originally published September 4, 2020 at 5:00 AM.