5.2 Million Florida Voters Cast Ballots as Early Voting Closes

Early voting has ended in most of the Tampa Bay region, leaving residents with only mail-in options or in-person voting on Election Day. As of 7 p.m., the window for early in-person voting has closed across the area. This leaves nearly 60% of Hillsborough County voters with a single day to cast their ballots.

University of Florida data shows that more than 5.2 million Florida voters have already cast ballots out of more than 13 million registered. In Hillsborough County, turnout has exceeded 40% prior to Election Day. Craig Latimer, the Hillsborough County Supervisor of Elections, emphasized that ballots are pre-printed and waiting at specific polling sites. Voters must go to the polling site attached to their precinct to use that specific ballot.

Latimer advised voters to plan their route and confirm their voting method in advance. He noted that the ballot includes six amendments. "If you're not prepared and you walk in to vote, you're gonna be standing in that privacy booth for about 30 minutes trying to read these amendments and figure out what you wanna do," Latimer said. He identified bringing a valid ID as the final critical step to avoid delays.

Voters must present a photo ID with a signature, such as a passport or driver's license, to cast a ballot. For those who already received a mail-in ballot, sending it through the postal service is no longer an option. These ballots must be dropped off at the supervisor of elections office by Tuesday. Alternatively, voters can go to their regular polling location, forfeit the mail-in ballot, and cast a physical ballot in person.

The deadline for action arrives Tuesday. The combination of a long ballot and strict ID requirements creates a specific set of hurdles for the final wave of voters. Latimer’s guidance focuses on reducing wait times by ensuring voters know exactly what is on the ballot and where it is located. The 5.2 million figure represents the current total of early participants statewide. Local officials are monitoring turnout as the day progresses.