Early voting deadlines split across Bay Area counties this weekend

Eight Bay Area counties have scheduled early voting, but only four will accept in-person ballots through Sunday, Nov. 1.

The split creates a two-day window for some voters and a one-day window for others ahead of the Nov. 3 general election. Hillsborough County and Pinellas County will remain open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Sunday. Manatee County will run from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Sarasota County will operate from 8:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.

Pasco County, Hernando County, Citrus County, and Polk County will close early voting on Saturday, Oct. 31. Pasco and Polk counties will accept ballots from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Hernando County will run from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Citrus County will operate from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Registered voters in these counties must select any designated early voting location within their specific jurisdiction. This rule differs from Election Day procedures, which require voters to cast ballots only at their assigned precinct.

Florida state law mandates that voters present a current, valid photo identification with a signature. Acceptable forms include a Florida driver's license, U.S. passport, military identification, and student identification. Other valid documents include a debit or credit card, neighborhood association identification, and a license to carry a concealed weapon. Voters lacking one of these items may cast a provisional ballot, though election officials must later determine if it counts.

Voters who have already completed a mail-in ballot face a strict receipt deadline. County Supervisor of Elections offices must receive these ballots by 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 3. A postmark does not satisfy this requirement. Voters should not mail ballots at this stage because the postal process may delay delivery past the cutoff.

Instead, voters can hand-deliver completed mail-in ballots to their county elections office or drop them in a secure box at an early voting location during operating hours. Mail-in ballots cannot be dropped off at regular Election Day polling places. Those who have not returned mail ballots may choose to vote in person at their assigned precinct.

Polls will open at 7 a.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 3, and close at 7 p.m. local time. Anyone standing in line by the closing time will be permitted to cast a ballot. Voters can verify their assigned polling location on their county Supervisor of Elections website.