Election Day Guide for Busy Moms: Everything You Need to Know for Voting Locally

It’s that time of year again! All of the political ads have begun, the text messages are coming and our mailboxes are littered with voting information. It can be so overwhelming. Whether you choose to get involved in politics or not, the election affects all of our families and businesses.

In an effort to help local moms access voting information, how to get the kids involved, and other important voting topics- we created an Election Day Guide for Busy Moms.

You’ll find all you need to know:

• where to vote
• registering
• how to talk to kids
• polling locations
• Women League of Voters
• and so much more

General Election Information

• Voter Registration Deadline (book closing) October 7
• Vote-by-Mail Ballot Send Deadline – for UOCAVA Voters (Absent Stateside and Overseas Uniformed and Civilian Voters) September 21
• Vote-by-Mail Ballot Send Deadline – For Domestic Voters (7-day mailing window) September 26 – October 3
• Vote-by-Mail Ballot Request Deadline (To be mailed a ballot) October 24
• Early Voting – Mandatory (8-day period starting on the 10th day and ending on the 3rd day before Election Day) October 26 – November 2
• Early Voting Period – Additional Optional Days (A county may offer early voting on one or more of these days) October 21, 22, 23, 24, 25 and/or November 3
• Election Day November 5

If you are not sure where you are supposed to go to vote, click the link below and do the following:

1. type in your house number
2. type in your street name

The system will populate your polling location.

See what’s coming in your mail before it arrives – including your sample ballot!

Whether voting during early voting or on Election Day, you must bring a current and valid photo ID with signature. Any one of the following photo IDs will be accepted:

• Florida driver’s 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
• Public assistance identification
• Veteran health identification card issued by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs
• License to carry a concealed weapon or firearm issued pursuant to s. 790.06
• Employee identification card issued by any branch, department, agency, or entity of the Federal Government, the state, a county, or a municipality.

If your photo ID does not include your signature, you will be asked to provide another ID that has your signature.

If you do not bring proper ID, you can still vote a provisional ballot. As long as you are eligible and voted in the proper precinct, your provisional ballot will count provided the signature on your provisional ballot matches the signature in your registration record.

November elections are here, and it’s a great opportunity to model a civic duty to children. As we cast our votes, whether in person or by mail, we are demonstrating the power of democracy and supporting our communities and country.

An election year gives us a great opportunity to talk with our children about fairness and making decisions as a group. PBS Kids has a ton of great resources for talking with kids about elections and voting.

The Orange County Supervisor of Elections has lots of great information for kids on voting. From books and handouts and videos and classroom information, there is a lot we can use as parents to talk with our kids about voting.

Florida poll workers play a vital role in administering elections. Their duties range from opening and closing the polls to assisting voters and maintaining order at polling locations.

Are you interested in becoming a Poll Worker?

Here are a few resources!

*Poll workers must meet certain eligibility requirements under Florida law.

The League also sends all candidates a questionnaire and publishes the responses at Vote411.org.

There are ten committees in the Orange County League and each of these has a chair.

Women League of Voters Monthly Hot Topics Lunch.

The State League also hosts Zoom information discussions on most Fridays.

Ultimately, whether we embrace politics in our lives or not, the issues appearing on ballots, especially at local levels, affect our families. Join us on social media and share your voice. We’d love to hear why you vote!

We will be sharing local mom stories, #WhyIVote. Comment below and tell us why! We will reach out to you for more details!