Florida Election Day: Flooding forces polling place changes
Voters across 12 counties must verify their assigned precinct locations on Tuesday due to a state of emergency declared by Gov. Ron DeSantis.
By James Mitchell ·
Voters in 12 counties across the Tampa Bay area face a disrupted Tuesday as heavy rainfall and flash flooding prompt last minute changes to polling locations. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis declared a state of emergency to address the weather, a move that empowers local election officials to move voting sites to safer ground.
The state of emergency covers Brevard, DeSoto, Hardee, Highlands, Indian River, Martin, and St. Lucie counties. While the emergency declaration spans seven counties, the voting guide provided by local election officials applies to residents in Citrus, DeSoto, Hardee, Hernando, Highlands, Hillsborough, Manatee, Pasco, Pinellas, Polk, Sarasota, and Sumter counties. The Florida Department of State is currently tracking these changes as local supervisors finalize new sites.
The decision to move sites stems from the severe weather affecting the region. Local supervisors of elections in flood impacted areas can designate alternative polling places to ensure residents can cast their ballots. Voters in these specific areas are instructed to check with their county Supervisor of Elections before leaving their homes. The department maintains a list of updated locations for public review.
Polls will open at 7 a.m. and close at 7 p.m. local time on Tuesday. Unlike early voting periods where residents could use any designated site in their county, Election Day voting requires citizens to go to the specific polling place assigned to their precinct. This distinction is critical because early voting sites do not necessarily align with Election Day locations. Voters who are already in line when the polls close at 7 p.m. will be allowed to cast their ballots.
Identification rules remain strict for in person voting. Florida law requires voters to present a valid photo ID that includes a signature. If the primary ID lacks a signature, voters must provide a secondary ID that does. Acceptable forms of identification include a Florida driver's license, U.S. passport, military ID, and student ID. A full list of accepted documents is available through the Florida Division of Elections.
Voters who cannot provide the required identification may still cast a provisional ballot. Election officials will then determine if that ballot meets the legal standards for counting. This provision ensures that a missing ID does not automatically disqualify a vote, though it places the burden of verification on the election staff after the polls close.
In Pasco County, transit officials are offering a specific accommodation for voters. GoPasco buses will provide free rides to polling places on Tuesday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. This service is a partnership between GoPasco and Pasco County Supervisor of Elections Brian E. Corley. Riders must present a valid Voter Information Card to board the bus. Route details and schedules are available on the GoPasco website.
The Florida Division of Elections provides a precinct lookup tool to help citizens find their assigned location. County supervisors for Citrus, Hernando, Hillsborough, Manatee, Pinellas, Polk, Sarasota, and Sumter counties have also published precinct finders on their respective websites. These tools are the primary way voters can confirm their specific voting site before heading out on Tuesday.
