Frequently Asked Questions
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Frequently
Asked Questions
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The Supervisor of Elections Office has assembled a list of questions most commonly asked of our staff. These questions deal with a variety of issues such as voter registration, voting information, running for office, campaign financing, etc. We have grouped these questions and answers into categories.
REGISTER
TO VOTE
What are the registration requirements? You must be a United States citizen, be 18 years old, be a legal
resident of the state (there is no length of residency requirement), not be adjudicated
mentally incapacitated with respect to voting, and not have been convicted of a felony
without your civil rights having been restored. You can preregister if you are at least 16 years old. If you preregister, you will receive a voter
information card in the mail on your 18th birthday -- no additional sign-up will
be necessary.
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CIVIL
RIGHTS RESTORATION
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Mental
Incapacity: If a court has ever declared you to be mentally
incapacitated with respect to voting, your voting rights have to be restored before you can register. You can start that process by filing a Suggestion of Capacity with the Clerk of the Circuit Court.
For more information, contact the Clerk of the Circuit Court
at (813) 276-8100.
Felony Conviction: If
you have ever been convicted of a felony in Florida or outside of Florida, you have to have your civil rights restored before you can register to vote. If you are unsure of your felony conviction status, or are unsure if you have had your civil rights restored, or want your civil rights restored, contact the Office of Executive Clemency: |
If
I am not currently registered to vote, when is the registration deadline for an election?
If you are a new resident to the State of Florida, the registration deadline (book
closing date) is 29 days before an election. You must register before the book closing
date in order to vote in that election. You can submit your registration after the
book closing, but you will not be added to the voter rolls until after the election.
Where
can I go to register to vote?
Registration may be done at any registration site in Hillsborough County. Agencies
that will provide Voter Registration Applications are: Public Libraries, Drivers License
Offices, Department of Children and Families, Department for Elder Affairs, Division
of Blind Services, United States Armed Forces Recruiting Offices, Division of Vocational
Rehabilitation, Division of Workers Compensation, Department of Health - Women, Infants
and Children (WIC)/Nutrition Services, Medicaid Waiver and Community Based Services,
and the Department of Veterans Affairs. Additionally, Voter Registration Applications
can be obtained at the office of the Supervisor of Elections, Tax Collector Offices,
the Courthouse, the Courthouse Annex, and Tampa, Plant City and Temple Terrace City
Hall, , as well as many other locations throughout Hillsborough County. You may also
download an application by
clicking here, or request an application be mailed to you by calling
the Supervisor of Elections Office.
What
information must be provided on the Voter Registration Application for the Application
to be considered complete?
If the applicant is a new resident of the State of Florida, the following boxes must be
completed for the application to be considered complete: boxes 2,
3, and 4 (Citizen, Felony, and Mentally Incapacitated); box 5 (Date
of Birth);; box 6 (If you have a current and valid Florida Driver's
License or Florida ID card number, you must provide the number. If you do not have
either, provide the last four digits of you Social Security number. If you have
not been issued a Florida Driver's License or a Florida ID card, or Social Security
number, write "none"); box 7 (Full Name); box
8 (Legal Residence Address), and box 16 (Signature).
How
do I register if I do not have a permanent address?
Fill in your temporary address and notify the Supervisor of Elections office when
your address becomes permanent. If you no longer maintain or do not plan to have a
permanent address in Hillsborough County, but intend to remain a resident of this
county, you may request assignment to the precinct of the main office of the Supervisor
of Elections. This address is 601 E. Kennedy Blvd., Tampa, Florida 33602.
What
happens if I do not make an entry in the party affiliation section of the application?
If you leave this section blank, you voter record will reflect "NPA" (No Party Affiliation)
as your party. The Supervisor must notify you by mail that you have been registered
without party affiliation, including instructions on how to designate a party
affiliation, if desired. Florida is a "closed primary state." If you wish to be eligible
to vote in the Democratic or Republican primary elections in Florida, you must be
registered with that political party.
What
if I cannot sign my name on the application?
Place your mark or a "X" in
the signature box. The entry in the signature box (box 16) that you submit will be
scanned and considered to be your signature in the voter record database system.
Do
I have to re-register to vote before each election?
No.
Do
I have to register somewhere else for city elections?
No, there is one central voter roll in each county that is used for all city, county,
state and national elections. You must live within the political boundaries of the
city to vote in city elections.
After
completing a voter registration application, when will I receive my Voter Information
Card?
Normally, within three weeks after the application is received by the Supervisor of
Elections office.
CHANGE YOUR ADDRESS, NAME, OR PARTY AFFILIATION
If I am already registered to vote in Hillsborough County, how do I change my resident address within Hillsborough County? You can change your residence address within Hillsborough County by phone, e-mail, or by fax. We will need the following information to complete the address change: your full name, date of birth, and your new residence address. You can send an e-mail to our office by clicking on our e-mail address at the bottom of this page or on the words "Contact the Supervisor" under the Supervisor's picture near the top of the page. If you are registered and you change your residence out of Hillsborough County to another Florida county or you change your residence into Hillsborough County from another Florida county, you have to make your address change using the Florida Voter Registration Application. You can download an application on-line by clicking here.
How do I change my name or party affiliation, or update my signature on my voting record? You must complete a Florida Voter Registration Application to change your name or party affiliation or update your signature and mail it to a Supervisor of Elections Office. You can download an application on-line by clicking here. A name change, an address change, a party change, and a signature update can be made at any time after the registration deadline except that for a primary election, a party change MUST be made no later than twenty-nine (29) days prior to the election.
How do I determine
the precinct in which I vote and the location of my polling place?
Florida law requires that you vote in the precinct assigned to your resident address.
Your polling place information is provided to you on your Voter Information Card. If
you have moved from the address printed on your card, or you no longer have your Voter
Information Card, you can call the Supervisor of Elections office for this information.
If we change your polling place, you will be notified by mail along with a new Voter
Information Card. You can also determine your precinct and its location by using the
Precinct Finder on this site.
Why Did My Polling
Site Change?
Changes are made for normally one of three reasons:
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Boundary Change
- demographics (Redistricting, Annexation.
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New precincts added
because of population increase.
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Previous site is
no longer suitable or their management did not want to participate as a polling site
any longer.
Who made the decision to change my polling site
Based on one or more of the reasons mentioned above, the Elections staff normally consisting of the Supervisor, Assistant Supervisor, Director of Elections Service Center and the Polling Site Coordinator will decide on a new polling site based on the best suitability and availability for the site location.How do I find out about polling site changes without having to recognize it when I get my new Voter Information Card?
We notify news sources (local radio and TV stations) for changes; however, we cannot gaurentee that they will pass it on to the public - most do. We also do a news paper ad in the Tampa Tribune and La Gaceta the Sunday before an election. It also is posted on this web site precinct finder.Do I need identification to vote?
When you go to the polling place to vote, you will be asked to provide a current and valid picture identification with a signature. Approved forms of picture indentification are: Florida drivers license; Florida identification card issued by the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles; United States Passport; debit or credit card; military identification; student identification; retirement center identification; neighborhood association identification; and public assistance identification. (Section 101.043, F.S) If the picture identification does not contain a signature, you will be asked to provide an additional identification with your signature.
Can I still vote if I do not bring identification?
Yes. You should not be turned away from the polls because you do not bring identification. If you do not have proper identification, you will be allowed to vote a provisional ballot.
What else do I have to do if I vote a provisional ballot?
If you vote a provisional ballot solely because you did not provide an acceptable photo and signature identification at the polls, you do not need to provide any further evidence of your eligibility in order for your ballot to count. You will be provided a written notice of your rights as a provisional ballot voter. (Section 101.048, F.S.) The local canvassing board will simply compare your signature on the provisional ballot certificate with the signature on your voter registration record. If the signatures match, your provisional ballot will be counted. If you vote a provisional ballot for other reasons (for example, your eligibility is challenged by another person, you are in the wrong precinct when you vote, you do not appear on the precinct register, etc.), you will be provided written notice of your right to present evidence of your eligibility. You must provide the evidence to your respective supervisor of elections no later than 5 p.m., of the second day following the election. (Section 101.048, F.S.) The local canvassing board will examine your provisional ballot certificate and all other information and evidence available. Then based on a preponderance of the evidence, the board will determine whether to count your provisional ballot.
How do I find out if my provisional ballot was counted?
Instructions on how to find out if your provisional ballot was counted, and if not, the reason(s) why, will be contained in your notice of rights handed to you at the time that you vote a provisional ballot. Information as to whether your provisional ballot was counted or not must be made available no later than 30 days following the election (Section 101.048 (5)-(6), F.S.)
How will I know who is on the ballot?
On the Sunday prior to the Primary election, a Sample Ballot Tabloid Insert will be printed in the Tampa Tribune listing the candidates, referendum questions and other important voting information. A sample ballot will be mailed to each registered voter approximately 7-10 days prior to the countywide General Election. You can also view the Sample Ballot for your voting precinct by using the Sample Ballot feature on this site.Can I still vote in the primary election if I am registered with no party affiliation?
Voters registered with a minor political party or without party affiliation may vote only for issues and nonpartisan candidates in the primary election. If you wish to be eligible to vote for Democratic or Republican candidates in the primary election, you must be registered with that political party. However, all voters, regardless of party, can vote in any party's primary election if the winner will have no General Election opposition. For example, if a State Senate race has more than one Republican candidate and no Democratic candidates, all voters regardless of party affiliation would be eligible to vote in that race. In a General Election, voters may cross party lines and vote for any candidate.
What is a Universal Primary?
Florida constitution provides that if all candidates have the same party affiliation and the winner will have no opposition in the general election, all qualified voters, regardless of party affiliation, may vote in the primary election for that office.
What percentage of the vote is a win in a primary?
With the elimination of the second primary for the 2004 election, the candidate receiving the highest number of votes wins the primary election, regardless of percentage.Are the polling places accessible to wheelchairs?
Yes, all polling places are wheelchair accessible and offer parking for persons with disabilities. There are also touch screen voting machines available at wheelchair accessible heights at each polling place.Can a person who requires assistance to vote because of visual impairment, disability, or inability to read or write get help voting from someone at the polls or bring an assistant with them?
Yes, the precinct register must indicate that assistance has been requested or the voter may sign a Request for Assistance Form at the polling place. Assistance can be provided by two election officials or someone else of the persons own choice, other than his/her employer, an officer, or agent of his/her union.When does a person requiring assistance to vote need to make the request?
This request can be made when registering to vote, at the polling place by signing a Request for Assistance form or by notifying the Supervisor of Elections Office at the time the disability arises.What other assistance is available at the polls for persons with disabilities?
Every voting precinct and each office of the Supervisor of Elections will have one touch screen voting machine that has an audio capability which allows people with disabilities to vote with no assistance and in complete privacy. The voter uses earphones to listen to the candidates or issues on the audio ballot. Selections are made by using a portable, handheld control unit. For the visually impaired, handheld magnifiers are available in each precinct to enlarge the text of the ballot.Where does a candidate, elector or taxpayer file if he/she wants to contest the election returns?
With the Clerk of the Circuit Court. Within 10 days after midnight of the date of certification of results of the election being contested.May a candidate serve as a poll watcher?
No candidate, sheriff, deputy sheriff, policeman, or other law enforcement officer may be designated as a poll watcher.
Who is eligible for an absentee ballot?
If you are a qualified registered Hillsborough County voter, you are entitled to vote by absentee ballot. If you have moved from another county within the State of Florida to Hillsborough County, you must complete a Florida Voter Registration form to change your address before requesting an absentee ballot. Please contact our office to obtain a Florida Voter Registration Application.
How do I obtain an absentee ballot?
Due to a recent change in the law, you may now Request a Ballot for all elections in 2008 through 2010. Your request can be made in person, by mail, telephone, facsimile, or through our website clicking here. Only the voter or a designated family member can request an absentee ballot. Family member means your spouse, parent, child, grandparent, in-law, sibling, or the legal gaurdian of you or your spouse. An absentee request must include the voter's name, the voter's resident address, the voter's date of birth and the voter's signature (written requestonly). If a family member is making the request, then the requestor must provide the voter's information listed above as well as the requestor's name, the requestors address, the requestor's Driver's License number (if available), the requestor's relationship to the voter and the requestor's signature (writen request only).Is there a deadline to request an absentee ballot?
A request for an absentee ballot to be mailed to a voter must be received no later than 5:00 p.m. (E.S.T.) on the sixth (6th) day before the election..When are absentee ballots available?
Absentee ballots are mailed approximately 30 days prior to each election to those voters who have requested an absentee ballot. A qualified voter may vote in person at either of the two offices of the Supervisor of Elections during the two weeks prior to an election. For other available early voting sites, please call our office at 813-272-5850 for additional information.How can I pick up my absentee ballot?
You may designate anyone to pick up your absentee ballot beginning five (5) days prior to the day of the election or on Election Day. A designee may only pick up two (2) absentee ballots per election. However, designees may pick up additional ballots for themselves or their own family members. A designee must provide picture identification and written authorization from the voter.How do I return my absentee ballot?
Absentee ballots must be returned in the envelope provided. The envelope must include the voter's signature. Voted absentee ballots must be received by 7:00 p.m. on Election Day at the County Center office of the Supervisor of Elections or at the Robert L. Gilder Elections Service Center. A VOTED BALLOT CANNOT BE ACCEPTED AT A POLLING PLACE. If you request and receive an absentee ballot and later decide to vote at the polls, take your absentee ballot with you to be cancelled at your polling place.
Becoming A Candidate
I am registered as a Democrat or Republican. Must I register without party affiliation to be a nonpartisan candidate?
No. Any registered elector may have his/her name placed on the ballot at the general election No Party Affiliation (NPA). This is sometimes referred to as an independent candidate. However, this is not to be confused with being a candidate of the Independent Party.Must I appoint a campaign treasurer and designate a depository before I make public my intention to run for office?
No. Section 106.021, F.S., provides that a person must appoint a treasurer and designate a depository prior to qualifying for office, obtaining petitions, accepting contributions or making expenditures. Nothing in this section prohibits a person from announcing his/her intention to become a candidate prior to appointing a treasurer, so long as no expenditures are made in connection with that announcement and no contribution is received.Is it against the law for a judicial candidate to speak at a political party function?
A candidate for judicial office may attend and may speak in his/her own behalf at political party meetings and other functions. However, care must be exercised to insure compliance with chapter 105, F.S., and the Code of Judicial Conduct (DE 78-34).What notification is needed to change a campaign treasurer?
A candidate can change his or her campaign treasurer by submitting a reappointment of treasurer (Form DS-DE 9) along with a copy of the resignation or removal of the old treasurer or deputy treasurer.Does the use of an abbreviation or nickname of a political party in political advertising comply with the requirements of section 106.143(2), F.S.?
The purpose of the law is satisfied by using "Dem" or "D" instead of Democratic Party. Likewise, "Rep" or "R" may be used instead of Republican Party. Due to its widespread use, even the initials "G.O.P." clearly convey the fact that a candidate is a Republican
When can I start collecting signatures to qualify for office by the petition method?
Per FS 99.095(2)(a) signatures may not be obtained until the candidate has filed the form DS-DE 9 (Appointment of Campaign Treasurer/Designation of Campaign Depository) with the filing officer.Is it legal for a candidate to accept a contribution from a trust fund?
Yes. Section 106.011(8), F.S., states: "Person" means an individual or a corporation, association, firm, partnership, joint venture, joint stock company, club, organization, estate, trust, business trust, syndicate, or other combination of individuals having collective capacity. The term includes a political party, political committee, or committee of continuous existence.I have collected small contributions of $1, $5, etc. Must I itemize these and report the name and address of each contributor?
Yes. The law provides no exceptions for the reporting of contribution information, regardless of the size of the contribution. However, occupation is not required for contributions of $100 or less.
My husband and I would like to give the maximum amount ($500) each to a candidate. Can we write one check for $1,000 and write a note indicating it is from both of us?
No. Separate checks must be written. Even if the check is drawn on a joint account, the person signing the check is considered the contributor, therefore, the check must be written for an amount within the legal contribution limits.Are in-kind contributions subject to the same limitations as monetary contributions?
Yes. The definition of contribution in section 106.011(3), F.S., includes in-kind contributions having an attributable monetary value in any form. Therefore, in-kind contributions are subject to the limitations set for contributions in section 106.08, F.S.Can a corporation give to a candidate, political committee or political party?
Yes. Again, by definition a corporation is a person and may do the same things as a person with regard to candidates for state and county offices. Laws for federal offices, however, differ.If a corporation makes contributions to a political committee and candidate, would the corporation fall within the definition of a political committee?
Section 106.011(1), F.S., exempts corporations from the definition of a political committee as long as their activities are limited to contributions to candidates or political committees, or expenditures in support of or in opposition to an issue from corporate funds. Corporations remove themselves from this exemption, however, if they solicit or receive contributions outside corporate funds for political purposes.If I make a mistake on my reports, how do I correct them?
By filing an amended report in the correct electronic filing format as specified for amendments that contains all the necessary information to correct or complete the reportCan campaign treasurer's reports be faxed or e-mailed to be considered timely filed?
No. Local candidates filing their Treasurer's Reports in Hillsborough County must file them electronically. In addition to the electronic submission, the candidate must file an original of the Campaign Treasurer's Report Summary (DS/DE-12), signed by the Treasurer and the Candidate.My treasurer is out of town. May I have an extension on the due date for my report?
No. The statute does not provide for an extension under these circumstances; however, we can accept a report on a conditional basis without the officer's signatureI've been given cash at a rally and don't know who gave it to me. What do I do?
Report it on your campaign treasurer's reports as anonymous and then after the campaign is over, dispose of the funds pursuant to section 106.141, F.S. Do not spend these funds on the campaignI am opposed for the general election but I have no opposition in the upcoming primary election and my name will not be on the ballot. Must I abide by the prohibition on accepting contributions less than five days prior to the primary election?
No. Only candidates with opposition in the primary election are required to comply. However, since you are opposed and your name will appear on the general election ballot, you are required to abide by the prohibition on accepting contributions less than five days prior to the general election.
I am an elected official and I still have funds in my office account pursuant to section 106.141(5), F.S. I am now beginning my next re-election campaign. May I place those surplus funds from my office account into my campaign account for re-election?
No. Funds retained by elected officials in their office accounts may only be used for legitimate expenses in connection with their public office.I am an elected incumbent running for re-election and I work in the County Center Building. When I see a friend in the building, can he/she give me a check for my re-election campaign?
No. A political contribution cannot be solicited, made or accepted in a building owned by a government entity.Do you have more questions? If so, please contact the Supervisor of Elections office at (813) 272-5850.