September 25 is National Voter Registration Day, the day for eligible citizens across the country to register to vote. Voting is our chance to stand up for the environment, for families, for safety, for health care, for women’s rights, for education, and for our community by letting those running for office this year know what matters to us.
Volunteers from the Charlotte County Democratic Party are helping voters on this single day and all days up to November 4 to empower more voters. Please join them in helping to register people to vote, and spread the word on social media. We want to ensure that no voter is left behind!
Candidates for governor, the House of Representatives, and U.S. Senate will be decided by voters this year. The candidates for these offices are asking for a shot at the job representing you. Each of us gets to decide who we want to hire.
The right to vote is one of the single greatest parts of our democracy. Thank you to all the volunteers who are hitting the streets on National Voter Registration Day!
Attention Snow Birds
If you’re a snowbird reading this article and wondering: Can I vote in Florida? The answer is “yes,” and here’s how:
Of course you can’t vote in 2 states. If you choose to vote in Florida, you need to give up your right to vote in your northern state.
All you need to do is print the voter registration form included in this article and send it to the Charlotte County Supervisor of Elections. They will mail your Voter Information Card to your preferred mailing address (either your Charlotte County or northern address).
The deadline to register to vote is 29 days before an election.
To register to vote in Florida you must be at least 18 years old; a citizen of the U.S.; and a legal resident of Florida and Charlotte County (meaning you own or rent property in Charlotte County, FL). You do not need to own property to register to vote, and contrary to popular belief, you do not need to spend 6 months and a day in Florida.
If you will be in Florida on Election Day, go to the polling location listed on your Voter Information Card or go to any of three Early Voting Polling locations in Charlotte County. If you prefer to Vote by Mail, call the Supervisor of Elections on 941-833-5400. Request that the ballot be mailed to the address where you will be on these dates.
If you won’t be in Florida on Election Day, you MUST sign up for Vote by Mail in order to have the ballot mailed to your address in another state. Call the Supervisor of Elections on 941-833-5400 and request that the ballot be mailed to the address where you will be on Election Day. Vote by Mail ballots are generally mailed out one month before the General Election Day.
Remember: Florida residency requirements vary based on the purpose, e.g., taxation, in-state tuition, asset protection. The so-called 181-day rule is an IRS residency rule for state taxation purposes and has NOTHING to do with voter registration. But please be aware that choosing to vote in Florida might impact residency definitions for taxation or other purposes in the state where you are currently registered.
