Red Surge: Florida Republicans Dominate Early Midterm Turnout

Published: August 17, 2026 • 8:45 a.m. ET
By: C. A. Bridges, USA TODAY Network-Florida

The Big Picture: Lots of People Are Voting Early!

As of August 16, 2026, implicit 1.8 cardinal Floridians person already formed their ballots for the superior election. That’s astir 13.5% of each registered voters successful the authorities — and the fig keeps growing!

Important Point: Florida is simply a "closed primary" state. This means you tin ONLY ballot for candidates from the governmental enactment you’re registered with. If you’re registered arsenic a Republican, you ballot successful the Republican primary. If you’re a Democrat, you ballot successful the Democratic primary. No Party Affiliation voters tin lone ballot successful nonpartisan races.

How Are People Voting?

There are 2 main ways to ballot earlier Election Day:

1. Vote-by-Mail (Absentee Ballots)

• You petition a ballot, capable it retired astatine home, and message it backmost oregon driblet it off.
• Democrats are starring here — they’ve sent successful 72,399 much message ballots than Republicans.

2. Early In-Person Voting

• You spell to a polling determination earlier Election Day and ballot successful person.
• Republicans are starring here — astir 158,000 much Republicans person shown up astatine aboriginal voting sites.

The Numbers So Far (As of 11 a.m. Aug. 16)

Still Outstanding: There are 852,659 vote-by-mail ballots that haven’t been returned yet! Many could inactive travel in.

Key Dates to Remember

Early Voting

• Started: August 10 (some counties began adjacent earlier)
• Extended done Sunday, August 17 successful 11 ample counties:
  • Broward, Duval, Hillsborough, Leon, Manatee, Miami-Dade, Orange, Osceola, Palm Beach, Pinellas, Sarasota

Primary Election Day

Tuesday, August 18, 2026

Polls open: 7:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.

General Election Day

Tuesday, November 3, 2026

Polls open: 7:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.

What’s connected the Ballot?

The biggest contention is for Florida Governor, but you’ll besides see:

• U.S. Senate & House races
• State legislature seats
• Local offices (mayor, region commission, schoolhouse board)
• Possibly section referendums oregon amendments

Want a elector guide? Check retired the Tallahassee.com 2026 Primary Voter Guide for campaigner info.

Important Reminders

CALLOUT: DON’T FORGET THESE!

• Bring valid photograph ID to the polls (driver’s license, passport, etc.)
• Check your polling location — it whitethorn person changed!
• Vote-by-mail ballots indispensable beryllium RECEIVED by 7 p.m. connected Election Day (postmarks don’t number successful Florida)
• You tin way your message ballot online astatine the Florida Division of Elections website

Step-by-Step: How to Vote connected Election Day

1. Confirm you’re registered — Check astatine RegisterToVoteFlorida.gov
2. Find your polling place — Use the state’s Voter Information Lookup
3. Bring your ID — Florida requires a photograph ID with signature
4. Go betwixt 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. connected Tuesday, August 18
5. Vote your ballot — Follow instructions carefully
6. Submit and get your "I Voted" sticker!

Summary

• 1.8M+ Floridians person already voted aboriginal oregon by mail
• Republicans pb successful aboriginal in-person voting, Democrats pb successful vote-by-mail
• Florida’s closed primary means you ballot lone successful your party’s races
• Primary Day: August 18 | General Election: November 3
• Polls unfastened 7 a.m.–7 p.m. connected some days
• 852K+ message ballots inactive out — last turnout could beryllium overmuch higher!

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can I ballot successful the superior if I’m registered arsenic No Party Affiliation (NPA)?

Only successful nonpartisan races (like schoolhouse board, judges, oregon section referendums). You cannot ballot for partisan offices similar Governor, U.S. Senate, oregon authorities legislature unless you’re registered with that party.

2. What if I requested a vote-by-mail ballot but privation to ballot successful idiosyncratic instead?

You can! Bring your message ballot to the polling spot and surrender it, oregon archer the canvass idiosyncratic you privation to ballot successful person. They’ll void the message ballot and springiness you a regular one.

3. Do I request to bring my elector registration paper to vote?

No — you conscionable request a valid photograph ID with your signature (driver’s license, authorities ID, passport, subject ID, etc.). The registration paper helps but isn’t required.

4. Can idiosyncratic other driblet disconnected my vote-by-mail ballot for me?

Yes, but only contiguous household members oregon ineligible guardians tin instrumentality it for you — and they tin lone bash truthful for up to 2 different voters per election.

5. What happens if I’m successful enactment erstwhile polls adjacent astatine 7 p.m.?

You inactive get to vote! As agelong arsenic you’re successful enactment by 7:00 p.m., you person the close to formed your ballot.

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