Ready to vote, Manatee County? Here are your voting options and important dates

So, you’ve registered to vote in the upcoming general election. Now it’s time to decide which option you will use to cast your ballot.

There are three choices: vote by mail, early voting and voting at your designated polling place on election day.

There are also some important dates to keep in mind depending on how you plan to cast your vote.

Vote-by-mail

Any registered Florida voter can opt to vote by mail.

The statewide deadline to request a vote-by-mail ballot is 10 days before an election— in this case, Oct. 24.

However, the U.S. Postal Service is advising voters to act sooner to ensure timely delivery. Voters should request a ballot at least 15 days before the Nov. 3 general election, or by Oct. 19, the postal service advises. The agency also recommends that completed ballots be mailed at least one week prior to Election Day.

Completed ballots can also be hand-delivered to the Supervisor of Elections Office. Ballots must be received by the close of polls at 7 p.m. on Nov. 3 to be counted.

Voters can track the status of a ballot and find out whether it has been counted through the Manatee Supervisor of Elections Office at votemanatee.com or through the Florida Division of Elections at registration.elections.myflorida.com/CheckVoterStatus.

Vote-by-mail ballots can be requested online at votemanatee.com, through email request (Info@votemanatee.com), by calling the elections office or scheduling a visit in person. Call 941-741-3823 for phone service and appointments.

Early voting

If you prefer to vote in person and don’t mind casting your ballot in advance, early voting can be a quick and convenient option.

Registered voters can stop by any of the six designated locations in Manatee County during the early voting dates and cast their ballots.

Residents will need a valid ID with photo and signature in order to vote.

Early voting dates:

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

Nov. 1: Early voting ends.

Early voting locations:

• Florida Department of Transportation Office, 14000 S.R. 64 E., 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.
• Supervisor of Elections Office, 600 301 Blvd. W., Bradenton.

Vote on election day

If you like to wait until the last possible second to make final voting decisions, casting your ballot in person on Election Day is probably the option for you.

Manatee County residents can identify their designated Election Day polling place by performing a search on the Manatee County Supervisor of Elections website at votemanatee.com or the Florida Division of Elections website at registration.elections.myflorida.com/CheckVoterStatus.

If you have opted to vote by mail but later decide that you would like to vote in-person, save your vote-by-mail ballot and bring it to your designated polling place on Election Day. The ballot will be nullified and you will be allowed to vote at the polling place (a valid photo ID with signature is required).

Election Day voting hours: 7 a.m.-7 p.m. Nov. 3.

Important voting dates and deadlines

Oct. 5: You must register to vote by this date if you want to participate in the Nov. 3 general election. This is also the deadline for switching parties or making other changes to voter registration status.

Oct. 19: Early voting begins. Early voting locations will be open from 8:30 a.m.-6:30 p.m. daily. The U.S. Postal Service recommends requesting a vote-by-mail ballot by this date to ensure timely delivery to the voter.

Oct. 24: This is the statewide deadline to request a vote-by-mail ballot. Requests must be submitted by 5 p.m. with the Supervisor of Elections Office.

Oct. 27: The U.S. Postal Service recommends mailing completed ballots by this date to ensure timely delivery to the Supervisor of Elections.

Nov. 1: Early voting ends.

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

Voters who need further assistance can contact the Division of Elections’ toll-free voter assistance hotline at 1-866-308-6739 or the Manatee County Supervisor of Elections Office at 941-741-3823.

This story was originally published September 8, 2020 at 7:00 AM.