Florida Presidential Preference Primary Election 2024: What voters need to know

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ORLANDO, Fla. - Florida's Presidential Preference Primary Election will be held on Tuesday, March 19, 2024.

Florida is a closed primary state, meaning that in partisan office contests in a primary election, a voter may only vote for the party's candidates in which he or she is registered. That's why different ballot styles exist in a primary election. The voter's ballot style is tied to his or her party affiliation.

Here's everything Florida voters need to know before heading to the polls to cast their votes.

When do the polls open and close in Florida?

Polls will open at 7 a.m. and close at 7 p.m. (local time). Voters who are in line by 7 p.m. will be allowed to cast their ballot.

What do I need to bring to vote?

You will need to bring a current and valid photo identification with a signature. In Florida, a driver's license, an identification card issued by the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, and a U.S. passport are among the approved forms of ID. You can visit the Florida Divisions of Elections website to check your voter registration, party status, and to look up your voting precinct.

Where is my polling location or voting precinct?

You can find your polling location on your voter information card. That information can also be found online at your county's Supervisor of Elections' website or by contacting the office.

In Central Florida, you can find your polling location by clicking your county below:

Who will be on the 2024 Presidential Preference Primary ballot in Florida?

If you are registered with the Republican Party, your ballot will list the following presidential candidates. Some candidates may have since suspended their campaigns or withdrawn from consideration, but are officially required to remain on the ballot. A vote cast for any candidate appearing on the ballot will count as a vote for that candidate in this election.

Ryan L. Binkley
Chris Christie
Ron DeSantis
Nikki R. Haley
Asa Hutchinson
Vivek Ramaswamy
Donald J. Trump

Why is Gov. Ron DeSantis and others who've suspended their presidential campaigns still on the Florida primary ballot?

There will be seven Republican candidates for president listed on ballots in Florida – nearly all who've reportedly dropped out of the race or suspended their campaigns, including Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, Nikki Haley, Chris Christie, and Vivek Ramaswamy.

Why?

Under Florida law, presidential candidates who have not submitted an official withdrawal to the State of Florida prior to Dec. 12, 2023, will still appear on the ballot during the Presidential Preference Primary.

Former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie suspended his presidential campaign on Jan. 10. Vivek Ramaswamy and Asa Hutchinson suspended his campaign on Jan. 16. Gov. DeSantis suspended his campaign on Jan. 21. Ryan Blinkley suspended his campaign on Feb. 27. Nikki Haley suspended her campaign on March 6.

Why is there no ballot for the Democratic Party in this Presidential Preference Primary Election?

Those registered with the Florida Democratic Party will not receive a ballot to vote during Tuesday's Presidential Preference Primary Election or need to go to the polls.

That's because the Florida Democratic Party submitted only one candidate as their nominee, President Joseph R. Biden, who then becomes the preferred candidate for that party, according to the Florida Department of Elections. Following a meeting of the Florida Democratic Party's State Executive Committee in October, Chairperson Nikki Fried submitted a formal ballot request, which you can read in this letter (PDF).

Because the Florida Republican Party submitted multiple candidate names, those registered with the Republican Party will head to the polls to vote for their preferred candidate.

Florida Election Results: Presidential Preference Primary 2024

As soon as the polls close at 7 p.m. local time, results will begin to be released.

Florida Election Results: Orange County, Flagler County local races

As soon as the polls close at 7 p.m. local time, results will begin to be released.

Important election dates to know in Florida

March 19: Florida's Presidential Preference Primary Election
August 20: Florida Primary Election 2024
November 5: General Election 2024

Deadlines to register for the August Primary Election and November General Election:

The deadline to register or change party affiliation for the August Primary Election is July 22, 2024.
The deadline to register to vote in the November General Election is October 7, 2024. There is no deadline to change party affiliation.