Top 10 things to know about voting in Lake County

With the November 3 General Election approaching, Lake County voters have several important dates and deadlines to keep in mind, whether they plan to vote by mail, vote early, or just cast their ballot on Election Day. 
The Lake County Supervisor of Elections office has provided the following information to help voters prepare for the election.

1. October 5 is the deadline for new voter registration.
Registration closes at 5 p.m., October 5, for voters who are registering for the General Election. Voter registration does not transfer from another state, so a person who moved to Florida must register with the Supervisor of Elections in the Florida county where they reside.

2.  Vote-by-Mail ballots went out September 25 to non-military voters.
The initial mailout of Vote-by-Mail ballots to voters began on September 25. Counter pickups also began that day at the Supervisor of Elections office for voters who need to obtain their ballots in person.  

3.  October 23 is the last day for Vote-by-Mail ballot counter pickups.
Those ballots can be picked up at the Lake County Supervisor of Elections office located at 1898 E. Burleigh Boulevard in Tavares.

4.  The requirement to request a Vote-by-Mail ballot varies.
Whether a voter needs to request a Vote-by-Mail ballot for the General Election depends on what they requested previously. A voter can request a ballot for a particular election or for all elections. If a voter requested a Vote-by-Mail ballot only for the Primary Election, they will need to request another for the General Election. If they requested Vote-by-Mail ballots for all elections, they do not need to request another ballot for November. 

5.  Know what to do with your Vote-by-Mail ballot.
Voters can return their completed Vote-by-Mail ballot by mail, in person at an Early Voting location during its hours of operation, or to the Supervisor of Elections office at 1898 E. Burleigh Blvd. in Tavares. Vote-by-Mail ballots cannot be dropped off at an Election Day precinct. All Vote-by-Mail ballots must be received by the Supervisor of Elections office by 7 p.m. on Election Day.
A voter who decides to vote in person instead can surrender their Vote-by-Mail ballot and vote at the polls. 

6.  All Vote-by-Mail ballot requests expire at the end of 2026. 
This is a very important caveat. Voters who want to continue voting by mail in future elections will need to renew their request. 

7.  Early Voting runs October 19-31 at select locations.
Early Voting for the General Election will be available from October 19 through October 31, with locations open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. There are 12 Early Voting locations throughout Lake County, and any registered Lake County voter can use any of them. Voters do not have to use the Early Voting location closest to their home.  The locations are not necessarily the same as Election Day precincts. Voters can find the current locations and status of Early Voting sites at Lake County's Early Voting Locations & Status page.

8.  Voters are required to bring a valid photo ID and a signature ID. 
Acceptable forms of identification are: Government-issued forms of identification, including a Florida driver's license, Florida ID card issued by the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, United States passport, Military ID, Student ID, Retirement center ID, Neighborhood association ID, Public assistance ID (e.g., Social Security), Health ID issued by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Concealed Weapons Permit, Employee ID issued by any governmental entity.  

9.  Election Day is November 3, and polls are open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
The 2026 General Election is Tuesday, Nov. 3. Election Day precincts will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Voters in line at 7 p.m. are still permitted to cast their ballots.

10.  On Election Day, know where you’re going in advance.
Voters who plan to cast their ballots on Election Day should confirm their assigned precinct before heading to the polls. Unlike Early Voting, Election Day voters must go to their assigned precinct, and polling locations change. Voters can use the county's Find My Precinct tool to determine where they need to vote.

Remember to bring a valid government-issued photo ID with a signature, and consider bringing your sample ballot for quick reference.  For additional election information, visit the Lake County Supervisor of Elections website at LakeVotes.gov.

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