Voter Rights and Responsibilities
Understanding your rights and responsibilities as a voter helps ensure a smooth and confident voting experience. Florida law protects your ability to cast a ballot safely, securely, and without intimidation, and it also outlines simple steps voters can take to help elections run efficiently. Below is a summary of the rights you are guaranteed as a Florida voter, as well as the responsibilities you are encouraged to follow.
Voter’s Bill of Rights
Each registered voter in Florida has the right to:
- Vote and have their vote accurately counted
- Cast a vote if they are in line at the time polls close
- Ask for and receive assistance in voting
- Receive up to two replacement ballots if they make a mistake prior to the ballot being cast
- An explanation if their registration or identity is in question
- Cast a provisional ballot if their registration or identity is in question
- Written instruction to use when voting and, upon request, oral instruction in voting from elections officers
- Vote free from coercion or intimidation by elections officers or any other person
- Vote on a voting system that is in working condition and will allow votes to be accurately cast
Voter Responsibilities
Each registered voter in Florida should:
- Familiarize themselves with the candidates and issues
- Maintain a current address with the office of the supervisor of elections
- Know the location of their polling place and its hours of operation
- Bring proper identification to the polling station
- Familiarize themselves with the operation of the voting equipment in their precinct
- Treat election workers with courtesy
- Respect the privacy of other voters
- Report any problems or violations of election laws to the supervisor of elections
- Ask questions, if needed
- Make sure that their completed ballot is correct before leaving the polling place
Keep in mind that these responsibilities are meant to guide and support your voting experience. They are not conditions you must meet in order to cast a ballot. No voter will be prevented from voting simply because they did not fulfill one of these recommended responsibilities.