What you need to get ready to vote

Election Day is on Tuesday, Nov. 5 and though it might feel far away, there are things voters need to do now to ensure that they’ll be ready to cast their vote. 

This year’s election will involve federal and statewide candidates, as well as local candidates for the Seminole County Supervisor of Elections, the Seminole County School Board, the Seminole County Commission, the Oviedo City Council and the Winter Springs City Council.

This article is part of U.S. Democracy Day, a nationwide collaborative on Sept. 15, the International Day of Democracy, in which news organizations cover how democracy works and the threats it faces. To learn more, visit usdemocracyday.org.

Here’s everything you need to know now. Stay tuned to OCN for the full voter guide, which will include candidate profiles, a Q&A based on your priorities, articles on the amendments, recordings of candidate forums and more. 

Register

• The deadline to register to vote for the general election is Monday, Oct. 7. 
• Register for the general election here.
• Check your voter registration status and record here.
• Fill out the Voter Registration Application here to update your signature, change your name, or if the online form provided by the state is not working.  

Mail-in voting

• The deadline to request a mail-in ballot is Tuesday, Oct. 24. The ballots must be received by the Supervisor of Elections Office by Election Day.
• Mail-in ballots will be mailed out the first week in October.  
• Drop off mail-in ballots in person at Seminole County Supervisor of Elections, 1500 E. Airport Blvd. in Sanford. Alternatively, drop off mail-in ballots at any early voting location (find below). 
• Have questions about your mail-in ballot? Find answers here. 
• Did you know that you can track your ballot? Do that here. 

Early voting 

• Early voting is planned for 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday, Oct. 21 through Sunday, Nov. 3. 
• Vote at any of the seven early voting locations in the county. The local ones are the Oviedo Library, 310 Division St. and the Oviedo Aquatic Center, 148 Oviedo Blvd. On Election Day, you must vote at your designated polling location. 

Election Day

• Election Day voting is open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 5. Find your polling location here. 
• Find information for military or overseas voters here.
• Interested in becoming an election worker? Click here.

Election-related events

Winter Springs City Commission candidate forum

Get to know the Winter Springs City Council candidates at Tuscawilla Home Owners Association’s Meet the Candidates night at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 19 at the Tuscawilla Country Club, 1500 Winter Springs Blvd. in Winter Springs. Learn more.

Get educated on election mis- and disinformation

The League of Women Voters Seminole County will give a presentation, teaching people how to spot mis- and disinformation, as well as navigate changes and intricacies of voting rules, from 6:30-8 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 1 at The Wedding Barn, 346 E. Franklin St. in Oviedo.

Oviedo police station referendum forum

The City of Oviedo will host a Police Department Building Referendum Public Forum at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 2 at Oviedo City Hall, 400 Alexandria Blvd. Police Department tours are available by filling out an interest form. Learn more.

Amendments education session

The League of Women Voters Seminole County will give a presentation on the six constitutional amendments, the two Seminole County charter amendments and the Penny Sales Tax referendum that will appear on the November ballot from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Monday. Oct. 14 at the Oviedo Public Library, 310 Division St. Learn more.

Seminole County Board of Commissioners District 5 debate

Listen to the Seminole County Board of Commissioners District 5 debate between candidates Gary Carney and Andria Herr with the League of Women Voters of Seminole County from 6-8:15 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 3 at Decision Tactical, 430 Towne Center Blvd. in Sanford. Food will be served from 5-6 p.m. and a viewing of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs Atlanta Falcons football game will be held at 8:15 p.m. The event is free to all but registration is required. Learn more.