Florida’s 2026 governor’s race is putting election deadlines in the spotlight, and Jacksonville-area voters have important dates to know before casting their ballots.
Early voting for the 2026 Primary Electionand the Special First Unitary General Election in Duval County begins Friday, Aug. 7, and runs through Sunday, Aug. 16.
Wondering when and where you can vote early in Jacksonville, how to find an early voting location near you, or whether you can still vote by mail?
Here’s a simple guide to the key election dates, voting options, and deadlines you need to make sure your vote counts.
When is the 2026 Florida primary election?
The Florida primary election day will be Aug. 18, 2026.
When does early voting start for Duval County?
Early voting for the 2026 Primary
Election and the Special First Unitary General Election in Duval County begins Friday, Aug. 7, and continues through Sunday, Aug. 16.
Voters who choose to cast their ballots early can do so daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. during the early voting period, according to Duval County Supervisor of Elections Jerry Holland.
Residents are encouraged to check their voter information and review early voting locations before heading to the polls.
Where to go for early voting in Duval County. See list of locations
- Argyle Branch Library – 7973 Old Middleburg Road S, Jacksonville, FL 32222
- Balis Community Center – 1513 La Salle St., Jacksonville, FL 32207
- Beaches Branch Library – 600 3rd St., Neptune Beach, FL 32266
- Bradham and Brooks Branch Library – 1755 Edgewood Ave. W, Jacksonville, FL32208
- Charles Webb Wesconnett Regional Library – 6887 103rd St., Jacksonville, FL32210
- Dallas Graham Branch Library – 2304 N. Myrtle Ave., Jacksonville, FL 32209
- EWU Schell-Sweet Community Center – 1697 Kings Road, Jacksonville, FL 32209
- FSCJ Deerwood Center – 9911 Old Baymeadows Road, Jacksonville, FL 32256
- Highlands Regional Library – 1826 Dunn Ave., Jacksonville, FL 32218
- Holiday Inn Bartram Park South – 13934 Village Lake Circle, Jacksonville, FL32258
- Jacksonville Beach Community Center & Exhibit Hall – 2508 South BeachParkway, Jacksonville Beach, FL 32250
- Legends Community Center – 5130 Soutel Drive, Jacksonville, FL 32208
- Mandarin Branch Library – 3330 Kori Road, Jacksonville, FL 32257
- Oceanway Community Center – 12215 Sago Ave. W, Jacksonville, FL 32218
- Pablo Creek Regional Library – 13295 Beach Blvd., Jacksonville, FL 32246
- Police Athletic League – 3450 Monument Road, Jacksonville, FL 32225
- Regency Square Branch Library – 9900 Regency Square Blvd., Jacksonville, FL32225
- South Mandarin Branch Library – 12125 San Jose Blvd., Jacksonville, FL 32223
- Southeast Regional Library – 10599 Deerwood Park Blvd., Jacksonville, FL 32256
- Southside Community Center – 10080 Beach Blvd., Jacksonville, FL 32246
- Supervisor of Elections – 105 E. Monroe St., Jacksonville, FL 32202
- University Park Branch Library – 3435 University Blvd. N, Jacksonville, FL 32277
- West Branch Library – 1425 Chaffee Road S, Jacksonville, FL 32221
- Willow Branch Library – 2875 Park St., Jacksonville, FL 32205
When does early voting in Florida start and end for the 2026 primary? See list of Florida counties
Any election that includes a state or federal race is required to offer early voting, which must run from at least the 10th day before the election to the 3rd day before the election. Each county Supervisor of Elections may choose to offer more early voting days, starting up to five days earlier or lasting one day longer.
Here are the early voting dates by county in Florida. Click the county names for more information and locations. Please check your county's website, linked below, for times and voting locations. Some early voting details may change due to local events or conditions.
- Alachua: Friday, Aug. 7 - Saturday, Aug. 15
- Baker: Saturday, Aug. 8 - Saturday, Aug. 15
- Bay: Saturday, Aug. 8 - Saturday, Aug. 15
- Bradford: Monday, Aug. 3 - Sunday, Aug. 16
- Brevard: Saturday, Aug. 8 - Saturday, Aug. 15
- Broward: Saturday, Aug. 8 - Sunday, Aug. 16
- Calhoun: Monday, Aug. 3 - Saturday, Aug. 15
- Charlotte: Saturday, Aug. 8 - Saturday, Aug. 15
- Citrus: Friday, Aug. 7 - Saturday, Aug. 15
- Clay: Saturday, Aug. 8 - Saturday, Aug. 15
- Collier: Saturday, Aug. 8 - Saturday, Aug. 15
- Columbia: Saturday, Aug. 8 - Saturday, Aug. 15
- DeSoto: Saturday, Aug. 8 - Saturday, Aug. 15
- Dixie: Saturday, Aug. 8 - Saturday, Aug. 15
- Duval: Friday, Aug. 7 - Sunday, Aug. 16
- Escambia: Saturday, Aug. 8 - Saturday, Aug. 15
- Flagler: Saturday, Aug. 8 - Saturday, Aug. 15
- Franklin: Saturday, Aug. 8 - Saturday, Aug. 15
- Gadsden: Saturday, Aug. 8 - Saturday, Aug. 15
- Gilchrist: Saturday, Aug. 8 - Saturday, Aug. 15
- Glades: Saturday, Aug. 8 - Saturday, Aug. 15
- Gulf: Saturday, Aug. 8 - Saturday, Aug. 15
- Hamilton: Saturday, Aug. 8 - Saturday, Aug. 15
- Hardee: Thursday, Aug. 6 - Saturday, Aug. 15
- Hendry: Monday, Aug. 3 - Saturday, Aug. 15
- Hernando: Saturday, Aug. 8 - Saturday, Aug. 15
- Highlands: Thursday, Aug. 6 - Saturday, Aug. 15
- Hillsborough: Monday, Aug. 3 - Sunday, Aug. 16
- Holmes: Saturday, Aug. 8 - Saturday, Aug. 15
- Indian River: Saturday, Aug. 8 - Saturday, Aug. 15
- Jackson: Thursday, Aug. 6 - Saturday, Aug. 15
- Jefferson: Monday, Aug. 3 - Saturday, Aug. 15
- Lafayette: Saturday, Aug. 8 - Saturday, Aug. 15
- Lake: Thursday, Aug. 6 - Saturday, Aug. 15
- Lee: Saturday, Aug. 8 - Saturday, Aug. 15
- Leon: Saturday, Aug. 8 - Sunday, Aug. 16
- Levy: Thursday, Aug. 6 - Saturday, Aug. 15
- Liberty: Saturday, Aug. 8 - Saturday, Aug. 15
- Madison: Saturday, Aug. 8 - Saturday, Aug. 15
- Manatee: Saturday, Aug. 8 - Sunday, Aug. 16
- Marion: Saturday, Aug. 8 - Saturday, Aug. 15
- Martin: Saturday, Aug. 8 - Saturday, Aug. 15
- Miami-Dade: Monday, Aug. 3 - Sunday, Aug. 16
- Monroe: Monday, Aug. 3 - Saturday, Aug. 15
- Nassau: Thursday, Aug. 6 - Saturday, Aug. 15
- Okaloosa: Saturday, Aug. 8 - Saturday, Aug. 15
- Okeechobee: Saturday, Aug. 8 - Saturday, Aug. 15
- Orange: Monday, Aug. 3 - Sunday, Aug. 16
- Osceola: Friday, Aug. 7 - Sunday, Aug. 16
- Palm Beach: Saturday, Aug. 8 - Sunday, Aug. 16
- Pasco: Saturday, Aug. 8 - Saturday, Aug. 15
- Pinellas: Saturday, Aug. 8 - Sunday, Aug. 16
- Polk: Saturday, Aug. 8 - Saturday, Aug. 15
- Putnam: Monday, Aug. 3 - Saturday, Aug. 15
- Santa Rosa: Monday, Aug. 3 - Saturday, Aug. 15
- Sarasota: Saturday, Aug. 8 - Sunday, Aug. 16
- Seminole: Saturday, Aug. 8 - Saturday, Aug. 15
- St. Johns: Saturday, Aug. 8 - Saturday, Aug. 15
- St. Lucie: Saturday, Aug. 8 - Saturday, Aug. 15
- Sumter: Saturday, Aug. 8 - Saturday, Aug. 15
- Suwannee: Saturday, Aug. 8 - Saturday, Aug. 15
- Taylor: Saturday, Aug. 8 - Saturday, Aug. 15
- Union: Saturday, Aug. 8 - Saturday, Aug. 15
- Volusia: Saturday, Aug. 8 - Saturday, Aug. 15
- Wakulla: Saturday, Aug. 8 - Saturday, Aug. 15
- Walton: Saturday, Aug. 8 - Saturday, Aug. 15
- Washington: Saturday, Aug. 8 - Saturday, Aug. 15
How to request a mail-in ballot
Voters in Duval County can request a mail-in ballot by visiting duvalelections.gov, calling the elections office, or submitting a signed request by email, fax, or mail. In Florida, voters must request a new mail-in ballot after each general election.
What is the deadline to request a mail ballot in Duval County?
The deadline to request a mail-in ballot for the Aug. 18 elections is 5 p.m. Aug. 6.
“We encourage you to vote by mail to skip the lines and make sure nothing prevents you from casting your ballot,” Supervisor of Elections Jerry Holland said in a news release. “Waiting until Election Day can be risky because unexpected things can happen. It's important to make a plan to vote.”
When must Duval County mail ballots be returned?
Completed mail-in ballots must be received by the elections office by 7 p.m. Aug. 18. Voters can track the status of their ballot and watch a video on how to properly vote by mail at duvalelections.gov.
For more information, residents can visit duvalelections.gov or call the Duval County Elections Office at 904-255-8683.
How can I check my voter registration status?
You can check your registration status on the Florida Department of State website: https://registration.elections.myflorida.com/CheckVoterStatus
When is the 2026 Primary Election and Special Election?
While some voters will cast their ballots for the primary and special election via mail-in ballot or early voting, others will head to the polls on Tuesday, Aug. 18.
When are polls open?
Polls in Duval County and across Florida will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 18.
What are the key dates for the 2026 elections?
2026 Primary Election (Aug. 18)
- Deadline to register to vote: July 20
- Deadline to request vote-by-mail ballot: Aug. 6
- Early voting period: Aug. 7-16
- Election Day: Aug. 18
2026 General Election (Nov. 3)
- Deadline to register to vote: Oct. 5
- Deadline to request vote-by-mail ballot: Oct. 22
- Early voting period: Oct. 19-Nov. 1
- Election Day: Nov. 3
How do I register to vote in Florida?
Not registered? You can download the voter registration application on the Florida Department of State website: https://registertovoteflorida.gov/home
- Your most current and valid Florida driver's license (Florida DL) or Florida Identification (Florida ID) card
- The last four digits of your Social Security number
If you do not have the required information, you can still use the online system to prefill an online voter registration application form that you can print. Sign it and either mail it to your county Supervisor of Elections office or drop it off.
You can also apply to register to vote in person at:
- Any Supervisor of Elections’ office (by mail or in person)
- Any office that issues Florida driver's licenses or Florida ID cards
- Any voter registration agency such as a public assistance office
- Any voter registration drive by an organization that has met Florida's updated standards
- Any public librar
Who can register to vote?
To register, 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; and,
- Not be a person convicted of a felony without having your right to vote restored.
It's a third-degree felony to submit false information, per state law. Maximum penalties are $5,000 and/or five years in prison.
When is the deadline to register to vote?
In Florida, the deadline to register to vote for an upcoming election is 29 days before that election. For the 2026 Primary Election, the deadline is July 20. For the General Election, the deadline is Oct. 5.
What Florida state, federal offices will be on the 2026 Florida ballot?
According to the Florida Division of Elections, these are the state and federal offices up for election or retention in 2026:
See the lists of candidates who have registered to run in each of the races at the Florida Division of Elections website.
- Federal offices
- U.S. Senate (one of two seats)
- See the candidates, including incumbent Ashley Moody
- U.S. House (all districts)
- See the candidates
- U.S. Senate (one of two seats)
- Florida state offices
- Governor and lieutenant governor
- Attorney General
- Chief Financial Officer
- Commissioner of Agriculture
- State senator (even-numbered districts)
- State representative (all districts)
- State attorney (20th Judicial Circuit)
- Public defender (20th Judicial Circuit)
- Judicial retention (nonpartisan)
- Justices, Supreme Court of Florida (those whose terms expire January 2027)
- Judges, District Courts of Appeal (those whose terms expire January 2027)
- Circuit judges (nonpartisan)
- Those whose terms expire January 2027
- County court judges (nonpartisan)
- Those whose terms expire January 2027
Is Ron DeSantis running for governor again?
No. Gov. Ron DeSantis cannot run again for governor because he has already served two consecutive terms. No one can run for three terms in a row, according to Article IV of the Florida Constitution.
DeSantis leaves the Florida governor's mansion on Jan. 5, 2027.
Contributing: C.A Bridges and Samantha Neeley, trending reporters for the USA TODAY Network - Florida
Doris Alvarez is a Breaking and Trending Reporter for The Florida Times-Union. You can get all of Jacksonville’s best content directly in your inbox each weekday by signing up for the free Daily Briefing and News Alerts newsletters at jacksonville.com/newsletters
This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Early voting starts Aug. 7 in Duval County. Here's where you can vote
