Monday, Oct. 5 is a red-letter date in the November general elections. For all those Floridians who can vote but have not registered to vote, the deadline to participate in what will be a monumental election is almost here.
The time for yapping about what's wrong with your county, your state and your nation is just about over. Florida's 13.5 million registered voters are at least capable of exercising their rights to choose candidates for county commission, state legislature, governor and the Florida Cabinet, Congress and the U.S. Senate. For those who might be eligible to vote but never registered, now's the time to get off the sideline and get into the game of electing your leaders.
The candidates for office are set. The vote-by-mail ballots
are going out, and it's not too late to apply for mail-in ballots online; the deadline for that is Oct. 22. Early voting in Palm Beach County runs from Oct. 19 to Nov. 1.
Election Day is Nov. 3.
You're eligible to vote if you're a U.S. citizen, a Florida resident, at least 18 years old and have not been adjudicated mentally incapacitated, have not been convicted of a felony or have been convicted of a felony and had your voting rights restored. Applicants will need a Florida driver's license or Florida ID card, and the last four digits of their Social Security Number to submit an application online. Call your supervisor of elections office, or go to votepalmbeach.gov for further information.
Voting is an important right, but individuals have responsibilities, too. Democracy has never been a spectator sport, even as too many Americans treat it as such. The adage "Your vote is your voice" may sound like a cliche; it's not.
Voting matters. It's the chance to express your intentions in making a fundamental choice. Get registered and take it.
Key dates to remember for elections
∎ Oct. 5: Deadline to register to vote for 2026 General Election
∎ Oct. 19-Nov. 1: Early voting
∎ Oct. 22 (5 p.m.): Deadline to request a vote-by-mail ballot
∎ Nov. 3: 2026 General Election (polls open 7 a.m.-7 p.m.)
∎ Nov. 3 (7 p.m.): Vote-by-mail ballots due at Supervisor of Elections headquarters
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Get registered to vote. Oct. 5 deadline is coming up fast | Opinion
