FLORIDA ELECTIONS 2024: WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
Voting in local, state, and national elections is fundamental to our democracy. The leaders we elect make decisions that affect us and our jobs, healthcare, energy costs, education, and more. Following proper procedures for registering and voting ensures your vote is counted and your voice is heard!
This page provides links and resources so you can easily find what you need to vote informed.
Voter Guides | Forum Recordings | Get Involved | Quick Links | Fact Checking | Need Help?
Important Dates
October
Oct. 7: Deadline to register to vote in the General Election
Oct. 21-Nov. 3: Early Voting for the General Election
Oct. 24, 5 p.m.: Deadline to request a Vote-by-Mail ballot for the General Election
November
Nov. 5: General Election and High Springs City Election
December
Dec. 3: Waldo City Election
Learn more at the Alachua County Supervisor of Elections website.
Voter Guides
VOTE411.org
Launched by the League of Women Voters Education Fund (LWVEF) in October of 2006, VOTE411.org is a "one-stop-shop" for election-related information. It provides nonpartisan information to the public with both general and state-specific information. At VOTE411, you can:
- get personalized voting information
- check your voter registration
- see what's on YOUR ballot
- compare candidates on the issues that matter to you*
- learn about judicial merit retention and the judges and justices up for merit retention
- print YOUR ballot choices
- find your polling place
- and so much more!
*All responses come directly from the candidates and are unedited by LWV. The League does not support or oppose any candidates or parties.
For more information, please see our guide to using VOTE411. Video tutorials on using the most common VOTE411 features are available here. More will be added so check back often.
LWVAC Voting Guide
A downloadable PDF version of the LWVAC Voter Guide is available 
here. Hardcopies of this guide will be available around town. The information contained in this guide is also available in VOTE411.org.
LWVFL Voting Guide
The LWV of Florida has created a printable Voter Guide that is available in three languages as follows:
A hardcopy will be distributed with local newspapers and will be available at local venues (like libraries). The information contained in this guide is also available in VOTE411.org.
LWV stances on ballot issues
The LWV does not support any candidate or party. But in some cases, after careful study, we do support or oppose specific issues.
On the proposed amendments to our state constitution, LWVFL recommends the following:
Amendment 1 — NO
Amendment 4 — YES
Amendment 6 — NO
LWVFL has summarized all the amendments and what a yes or no vote on each means. You can find that summary here.
On local issues, LWVAC recommends the following:
At-large districts for Alachua County Commissioners —YES*
One mill tax for schools — YES
Local control of public utility (Gainesville voters only) — YES
Read summaries of the issues by clicking the titles.
*There is ongoing litigation around this referendum, but while it goes through the appeal process, it remains on the ballot, it will be counted and the vote will be certified. LWVAC recommends a yes vote and feels it is even more important because of the litigation.
How to Evaluate Candidates
Elections present voters with important choices. How will these local races affect you and your community? It’s a time to consider the issues that you care about and decide which candidate you support. But how do voters go about comparing and then judging the candidates? All too often slogans, controversy and personality are all that come through in campaign materials. However, it is possible to move beyond style and toward substance. Check out these steps to help you judge a candidate and make the best choice for you on Election Day.
Forum Recordings
Recordings of our candidate forum and presentations on issues and amendments that will appear on the 2024 general election ballot will be posted here. Check back often for the most recent presentations.
General Election Candidate Forum was held on Sep. 22 on the Santa Fe College campus and was livestreamed. A recording is available using the same link.
LWVFL Presentation on Florida's Six Ballot Amendments. In November 2024, six proposed amendments to the Florida Constitution will be on every ballot. Amendments to the Florida Constitution need 60% of the vote for an amendment to pass. This presentation explains them all!
Oak Hammock Presentations from Lindsay Kallman of Yes on 4! discussing Amendment 4 limiting government interference in abortions and Donna Waller on the amendments on the November ballot in a talk titled, "Power to the People or the State of Florida."
Primary Election Candidate Forum was held on Jun. 24, the Primary Candidate Forum included primary candidates for Alachua County Sheriff, Alachua County Commission District 1, Alachua County School Board Districts 2 and 4, Gainesville City Commission At Large and District 1, and State Representative District 22. While only one of each these candidates for each party went on to the general election, this is a good opportunity to see those candidates answering questions in a forum setting. You can watch a recording of the primary election candidate forum here.
Get Involved
Join Us
For over 100 years we’ve been a trustworthy non-partisan organization that believes voters should play a critical role in democracy. Take action to support our democracy today - Join LWV and then look for a LWV volunteer opportunity! Living in a democracy matters!
Empowering Elections: How You Can Make a Difference
Every voter should be able to have an easy and efficient experience at the polls. There are several ways YOU can help make that happen, including being a Poll Worker, an Election Poll Monitor, or part of the Voter Concierge Corps. Learn more here. However you decide to get involved, do something today to help ensure our elections are accessible and run as smoothly as possible.
Join the Meet & Mobilize Collaborative Initiative
The collaborative is made up of nonpartisan community organizations coming together to create meaningful partnerships for 2024 election season. We come together to work in the community on voter mobilization and engagement activities, including door-knocking, phone banking, and tabling at community events. We must ensure our community has the information needed to vote in the November elections. If you are interested in joining us, complete this interest form and then sign up for canvassing by reviewing the available slots and clicking the button to submit. Sign up for as many slots as you can.
Support Yes on 4 to End Florida's Abortion Ban
The citizen-led ballot initiative, designated on the 2024 ballot as Amendment 4 and titled the “Amendment to Limit Government Interference with Abortion,” seeks to create a constitutional amendment that would protect Floridians’ freedom to access abortion. Restrictions on reproductive freedom affect everyone, regardless of who they are or what they believe about abortion and LWV supports Yes on 4. Now Yes on 4 needs 60% of votes on the November ballot to pass! As such, there are weekly and monthly events including postcard writing, phone banking, relational organizing using Reach, canvassing and fundraising activities. Find an event near you and sign up today. Also, share this resource to counter disinformation about this initiative.
Quick Links
Alachua County Supervisor of Elections
Contact the Supervisor of Elections to register to vote, request an absentee ballot, check important dates for local elections, and for more details on voting in your area.
Register to Vote
Only registered voters can vote in elections. You can register to vote in person, by mail or online. Learn about all of your options here. The deadline to register to vote in the general election is Oct. 7.
Request a Vote by Mail Ballot
In addition to voting on Election Day at your precinct or voting at an early voting site, you have a third option: voting by mail. Any registered voter may vote by mail.
All prior vote by mail applications expired in December 2022. Now everyone must re-enroll in vote by mail every two years. You can sign up for vote by mail online. And you can check your registration and vote by mail status here.
The deadline to request a vote by mail ballot for the general election is 5 p.m. on Oct. 24.
Early Voting Locations
Early Voting provides a convenient alternative to traditional Election Day voting. Any Alachua County voter can vote at any early voting location. (On Election Day, voters can only vote at their precinct.)
Early Voting for the general election will take place between Oct. 21 and Nov. 3. from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. each day. For the most up-to-date information on early voting dates, times and locations, refer to the Alachua County Supervisor of Elections website.
List of all Florida County Supervisor of Elections
Voters from other Florida counties can find their county Supervisor of Elections here.
Florida Division of Elections
The Florida Department of State’s Division of Elections provides administrative support to ensure that Florida has fair and accurate elections. The Division ensures compliance with the election laws, provides statewide coordination of election administration, and promotes public participation in the electoral process. The Division also assists county Supervisors of Elections in their duties, including providing technical support.
Voter Assistance Hotline by the Florida Division of Elections
Toll Free 1.866.308.6739 (in English and Español), available Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m., with extended hours on the day registration ends and on Election Day for the upcoming statewide elections. If you are hearing or speech impaired, please contact the Division using the Florida Relay Service, 1.800.955.8771 (TDD), 1.800.955.8770 (Voice), or 1.877.955.8773 (Español). For more information visit the Florida Relay Service.
Fact-Checking Links
Misinformation and Disinformation about elections, democracy, voters, and our nation are all over Facebook, opinion websites, sent in emails, and the internet. These reliable online fact-checking resources help sort fact from fiction and lies from truth:
LWV Compiled News Literacy Resources
A collection of articles about how to recognize misinformation and judge the credibility of sources, including articles from the News Literacy Project, FactCheck.org and more.
LWV's Guide to Guide to Mis- and Disinformation
We're all susceptible to mis- and disinformation, but these tricks will help you spot it.
Politifact
Non-partisan, Pulitzer Prize-winning fact-checking.
FactCheck.org
Nonpartisan, nonprofit “consumer advocate” for all voters.
Snopes
Oldest and largest fact-checking online site. Remember, opinions are not facts!
C-SPAN
While C-SPAN is not a fact-checking site it is a public service created by the American Cable Television Industry. C-SPAN gives you U.S. House and Senate proceedings and other forums where public policy is discussed, debated, and decided. These are without editing, commentary, or analysis and with a balanced presentation of points of view.
Need More Help?
Contact our vote [at] lwv-alachua.org (Voter Services team) or the Alachua County Supervisor of Elections Office.
