2020 Election Voter Guide: Pick Up Mail-In Ballots By Oct. 24

HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, FL — Supervisors of elections in the Tampa Bay area are working together to help residents get ready to vote in the Nov. 3 general election.

Voters may only vote in the county in which they reside, and counties in Florida hold early voting for different periods of time.

Vote By Mail

Contact your supervisor of elections office no later than Oct. 24 (but preferably sooner) to request that a ballot be mailed to you, or you may pick up a mail ballot at an elections office in your county. Mail ballots must be received by your supervisor of elections no later than 7 p.m. Nov. 3.

Don't forget to sign your vote-by-mail envelope before returning it and make sure you have a current signature on file with your supervisor of elections office. You can update your signature by completing a printed or online voter registration application. An online application will add your most recent Florida driver's license or Florida state ID signature to your voter record. Be consistent when signing your mail ballot return envelope. Signatures are compared to those on file with the elections office.

You may mail your ballot back or drop it off at your local elections offices or early voting sites (during early voting). Check with your elections office for more information on drop-off locations.

If you mail the ballot back, make sure to allow plenty of time for it to be received. The supervisors of election recommend that you allow at least a week for your mailed ballot to reach your elections office. If your ballot isn't in your county's elections office by 7 p.m. Election Day, it will not be counted.

Early Voting

During early voting, you may vote at any early voting site in your county. Dates, times and locations vary by county. Bring with you a current and valid photo and signature ID. Acceptable forms of identification include: a Florida driver's license, Florida ID card (issued by DHSMV), U.S. passport, debit or credit card, military ID, student ID, retirement center ID, neighborhood association ID, public assistance ID, veteran health ID issued by the Veterans Administration, concealed weapon license, government employee ID. If you do not bring an ID, you may vote a provisional ballot.

Early voting in Hillsborough County is from Oct. 19 to Nov. 1 from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

You may vote at the Hillsborough County Supervisor of Elections offices:

• Robert L. Gilder Elections Service Center, 2514 N. Falkenburg Road, Tampa
• Fred B. Karl County Center, 601 E. Kennedy Blvd., Tampa
• Southeast Regional Office, 10020 S. U.S. 301, Riverview
• Northwest Regional Office, 4575 Gunn Highway, Tampa

Or you may vote at these early voting sites:

• Apollo Beach Community Center
• Amalie Arena
• Austin Davis Public Library
• Bloomingdale Regional Public Library
• Bruton Memorial Library C. Blythe Andrews Jr. Public Library
• Fred B. Karl County Center
• Jan Kaminis Platt Regional Library
• Jimmie B. Keel Regional Public Library
• Maureen B. Gauzza Public Library
• New Tampa Regional Library
• North Tampa Branch Library
• Northdale Recreation Center
• Northwest Elections Office
• Port Tampa Community Center
• Providence West Community Center
• Raymond James Stadium
• Riverview Branch Library
• Robert L. Gilder Elections Service Center
• Southeast Elections Office
• SouthShore Regional Library
• Temple Terrace Public Library
• Town N' Country Regional Public Library
• West Tampa Branch Library, University Area Community Center
• USF TECO Hall (David C. Anchin Center)

Voting Day

Florida law states that on Election Day you may only vote in the polling place assigned to your current residence address. You are encouraged to update your address prior to Election Day to avoid delays at your polling place. If you don't know where your polling place is, check the supervisor of elections website. Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Election Day.

On Election Day, you should bring a Florida driver's license, Florida ID card (issued by DHSMV), U.S. passport, debit or credit card, military ID, student ID, retirement center ID, neighborhood association ID, public assistance ID, veteran health ID issued by the Veterans Administration, concealed weapon license, government employee ID. If you do not bring an ID, you may vote a provisional ballot.

You may mark and bring your sample ballot to use as a reference.

See related stories:

• Election 2020: Polls To Have Coronavirus Restrictions In Place
• Record Number Of Voters Expected To Vote By Mail In Hillsborough