Student Voting Faqs
Got questions? We have answers!
Check out our FAQs below. Still have questions? Come by 220 Pugh Hall, M-F 9AM-3PM!
As a University of Florida student, you are eligible to register to vote in Alachua County/Gainesville. You can choose to be a Florida voter!
There are many benefits to registering to vote in Alachua County/Gainesville! First, you live here, so voting here provides you a say in local issues. Second, it’s convenient! No need to worry about mail-in ballots, you can conveniently vote in person!
If you are a registered voter in Alachua County/Gainesville, you can use the University’s Early Voting location at the Reitz Union! Remember, though, this may not be where you would vote on Election Day. Find your election day precinct!
Florida requires that you provide identification with a photo AND a signature. You can use two different forms of ID to meet that requirement. Remember that out of state drivers licenses and digital IDs are not valid for voting. We recommend obtaining a Florida ID or using passport. A complete list of acceptable IDs is available at this link.
Florida law requires that you are registered to vote 29 days prior to an election. You can register online through the Florida Division of Elections, in person at the local Supervisor of Elections Office, or in person at the Bob Graham Center, 220 Pugh Hall. We are thrilled to be an official Third-Party Voter Registration Organization (3PVRO), recognized by the state. Come by the Bob Graham Center, 220 Pugh Hall, between 9:00 am and 3:00 pm Monday-Friday, and get personal assistance in completing your voter registration.
No. You can choose to register as “No Party Affiliated” or NPA. You can also change your party affiliation 29 days prior to any election. But remember – Florida is a “closed primary” state, meaning that to participate in a party’s primary (the election to chose the candidate for the general election), you will have to register with that particular party. To learn more about closed and open primary states, visit our friends at the National Conference of State Legislatures!
The best way to make sure this doesn’t happen is to enroll in UF TurboVote – a service provided by the University of Florida. Enrolling in TurboVote allows you to get easy text reminders about election dates, mail-in ballot deadlines, and more! And the best part is that it works wherever you are registered, whether that’s here, another part of Florida, or another state!