Office Hours
Monday - Friday (8:30 am to 5:00 pm)
Contact
Public Service | Integrity | Transparency
Frequently Asked Questions
We realize we can’t answer all questions on our website. Please feel free to call us at 904-823-2238 or visit our contact us page if you have specific questions.
Voter Registration
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How do I register to vote?
You may request a registration application be mailed to you by calling us at (904) 823-2238 or you may register online at www.registertovoteflorida.gov.
A Florida Voter Registration Application form can also be obtained from any of Florida’s mandated sites, including public libraries, tax collectors’ offices, centers for independent living, offices providing public assistance or serving persons with disabilities, Armed Forces recruiting offices, and Supervisor of Elections' Offices.
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Do I have to be a United States Citizen?
Yes. You must be a U.S. citizen to be a registered voter.
A lawful permanent resident, commonly referred to as a "green card holder," does not have the right to register or vote in Florida.
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What identification do I need to register to vote?
You do not need to show any identification to register to vote. You sign an oath attesting to the accuracy of all information given.
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Can I use a nickname when I register to vote?
No. You should use your legal name just as you would for any legal document.
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Can I register here if I live here part of the year and in another state part of the year?
Yes. However, you must determine which place you want to be your legal residence. You cannot be registered and voting in two places at once.
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If I have a citizenship in the U.S. and another country, can I still register to vote?
Yes, if you are a U.S. citizen and satisfy the other requirements for registration.
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How do I change my voter registration?
To update your address, you have many options –
- Online: https://registertovoteflorida.gov/
- In-person: Visit the Supervisor of Elections Office (4455 Avenue A, Ste 101, St. Augustine, FL 32095)
- Mail: Mail a completed voter registration application, or mail a signed, written request to change your address that indicates your date of birth or your voter registration number to Supervisor of Elections Office (4455 Avenue A, #101, St. Augustine, FL 32095).
- Call the SOE Office at (904) 823-2238
To update your name or party affiliation -
Changes to your name or party affiliation must be made in writing, preferably using the voter registration application or online at https://registertovoteflorida.gov/
If you are already a registered voter in Florida, there is no deadline for changing your name or address. You can even do so at the polls during early voting or on Election Day.
Party affiliation changes for a Primary Election must be done by 29 days prior to Election Day.
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Am I allowed to choose which address to use for registering?
No.
Your elected representatives are determined by your residence address, you must use the address where you live.
It is not permissible to register using a business address, a former address, or a piece of property that you simply own. You must register where you live.
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Do I have to register prior to each election?
No.
Once you become a registered voter in St. Johns County your name will remain on our records until such time as we receive notification that you have moved from this county or that you have lost your civil rights.
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Will my information become public record?
Yes.
All information on your registration application form (other than your Florida Driver License number, Florida ID Card number, Social Security number, and signature) become public record. Voters in certain occupations may request their data be exempt from public record.
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How are we notified when voters pass away?
The Division of Elections works with the Florida Department of Health and the U.S. Social Security Administration to match death certificate recordings to the Florida Voter Registration rolls. The information is sent to the county elections office for review and the voter may be removed by the local elections official without contact from a family member. In some cases, however, the information on the death certificate does not exactly match the information on the voter’s registration record, therefore our office would not be notified. A deceased voter who may still be on our registration rolls can be promptly removed with a copy of the death certificate. We understand the costs and do not require an original death certificate; a photocopy or scanned copy is acceptable. Your time and effort is greatly appreciated in helping us keep Florida’s voting rolls accurate.
Death Certificates can be submitted by:
Email: [email protected]
Attach the form with your information and signature.
Mail: 4455 Avenue A, Ste. 101, St. Augustine, FL 32095
Please do not fax copies of the certificate.
Conducting Voter Registration Drives
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Can I conduct a voter registration drive and register people to vote?
The law has very strict guidelines on groups called 3rd party voter registration organizations (3PVRO) who organize and operate for the purpose of registering people to vote.
For more information:
Voting
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How do I know where to vote?
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What hours are the polls open in Florida on Election Day?
7 AM to 7 PM on Election Day.
We also have early voting for all countywide elections.
For more information, see the Election Dates page.
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What are the identification requirements for voting?
To vote you must present current and valid photo and signature ID. It can be one form of ID, such as a Florida driver license, or two separate forms of ID. For example, you may have a VA ID with your photograph on it but not your signature. You would then need to present a second form of ID with your signature on it.
Acceptable forms of identification include:
- Florida Driver License
- Florida Identification Card
- U.S. Passport
- Military ID
- Debit or Credit Card
- Retirement Center ID
- Student ID
- Neighborhood Association ID
- Public Assistance ID
- Florida Concealed Weapon or Firearm License
- Veteran Health ID Card
- Government Employee ID
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What is a provisional ballot?
In all elections, a voter claiming to be properly registered in the county and eligible to vote at the precinct in the election, but whose eligibility cannot be determined is entitled to vote a provisional ballot.
A few reasons why a voter may have to vote a provisional ballot are:
1. If a voter does not provide proper photo and signature ID
2. If a voter’s name does not appear in the electronic poll book, and the voter’s eligibility cannot be determined
3. If polling hours are extended for any reason, any voter who was not in line at 7 PM must vote a provisional ballot. The provisional ballot will be counted, but this method allows for separation of any vote totals cast after 7 PM should any legal challenges arise.
Provisional ballots are sealed in an envelope and kept separate from the regular voted ballots, returned to the Elections Office where they are reviewed by the Canvassing Board to determine whether the ballot will be counted, and counted if a determination is made that the person:
1. Voted in the correct precinct,
2. Is registered and entitled to vote,
3. Has not already cast a ballot in the election.
The provisional ballot will never be opened if it is rejected as illegal.
A voter who votes a provisional ballot may present evidence necessary to validate his or her identification by the second day after the election.
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What if I require language assistance?
Some voters may need language assistance due to limited proficiency or inability to read, write or speak English.
- Bring along a person to interpret as long as that person is not an employer, an agent of the employer, or union representative
- Request language assistance from a bilingual poll worker or translator services by phone from bilingual staff at the Elections Office who speak Spanish
- Request voting and registration information that is available in Spanish
For more information please see U.S. Election Commission's Spanish-English Election Terms Glossary
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What if I require assistance casting a ballot?
101.051 - Electors seeking assistance in casting ballots; oath to be executed; forms to be furnished.
Any elector applying to vote in any election who requires assistance to vote by reason of blindness, disability, or inability to read or write may request the assistance of two election officials or some other person of the elector’s own choice, other than the elector’s employer, an agent of the employer, or an officer or agent of his or her union, to assist the elector in casting his or her vote. Any such elector, before retiring to the voting booth, may have one of such persons read over to him or her, without suggestion or interference, the titles of the offices to be filled and the candidates therefore and the issues on the ballot. After the elector requests the aid of the two election officials or the person of the elector’s choice, they shall retire to the voting booth for the purpose of casting the elector’s vote according to the elector’s choice.
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Voter Information Cards
Per Florida law, Voter Information Cards are sent to all voters upon validation of their initial voter registration application or to currently registered voters when making a name, address, or party affiliation change. New information cards will be sent to all voters who are in a precinct in which there has been a change in their polling location.
Voter Information Cards are not required when voting at your precinct. They serve as confirmation of your voter registration and provide information on your precinct and polling location. If you have lost your voter information card and would like a new one, complete a voter registration application or call the SOE Office at (904) 823-2238.
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How are offices elected?
At Large: Representing the whole of a state, district, or body rather than one division or part of it.
District Specific: Representing a division or part of a body rather than the whole of a state, district, or body.
Partisan Offices (Elected At Large)
• President/Vice President
• U.S. Senator
• U.S. Representative in Congress
• Governor/Lieutenant Governor
• Attorney General
• Chief Financial Officer
• Commissioner of Agriculture
• State Attorney
• Public Defender
• County Commission
• Clerk of Circuit Court and Comptroller
• Sheriff
• Property Appraiser
• Tax Collector
• Supervisor of Elections
Partisan Offices (Elected District Specific)
• Florida State Senator
• Florida State Representative
Non-Partisan Offices (Elected At Large)
• Justice of the Supreme Court
• Judge of a District Court of Appeal
• Circuit Judges
• County Judges
• St. Johns County Airport Authority
• St. Johns Soil & Water Conservation District
• Anastasia Mosquito Control District
Non-Partisan Offices (Elected At Large Within the Municipality)
• City of St. Augustine
• City of St. Augustine Beach
Non-Partisan Offices (Elected District Specific)
• School Board
• St. Augustine Port, Waterway & Beach Commission
• Municipal Service District of Ponte Vedra Beach
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Do I get to vote for all County Commissioners?
Yes! The County Commission is elected at large, which means they represent the whole county, not just part of it.
Voters can vote for all county commissioners.
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Do I get to vote for all School Board Members?
No! School Board Members are elected district specific, which means you only vote for the candidate running in the district where you reside/are registered to vote.
Vote-By-Mail
Military and Overseas Voters
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I am in the military. Where is my legal voting residence?
For voting purposes, your "legal voting residence" can be the state or territory where you last resided prior to entering military service or the state or territory that you have since claimed as your legal residence. To claim a new legal residence, you must have simultaneous physical presence and the intent to return to that location as your primary residence. Military and family members may change their legal residence every time they change permanent duty stations, or they may retain their legal residence without change. Family members may have a different legal voting residence from the member. A legal officer should be consulted before legal residence is changed because there are usually other factors that should be considered besides voting.
Military personnel may apply for voter registration or request vote-by-mail ballots with a Federal Postcard Application (FPCA) which may be obtained by clicking the link below:
Additional military election information is available from:
Direction of Federal Voting Assistance Program
Office of the Secretary of Defense
Washington Headquarters Services
1155 Defense Pentagon
Washington, D.C. 20301-1155
FVAP Contact Information
FVAP Fax: 703-588-0108
Website: https://www.fvap.gov/
Email: [email protected]
Toll-free: 800-438-8683
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I am in the military. However, my family members are not in the military; can they also vote-by-mail?
The law entitles eligible family members of military personnel to vote vote-by-mail. Family members are in the same category of vote-by-mail voter as military members and generally should follow the same procedures. Family members of military personnel residing overseas, who are U.S. citizens and who have never resided in the U.S., usually claim a U.S. citizen parent's legal state of residence as their own. As an overseas civilian or member of the Uniformed Services, if you are stationed outside of the United States or its territories, you may request that your ballot be transmitted to you via mail, email, or fax. Only overseas military or civilian voters may return a ballot via fax. Domestic military voters, regardless of the way the ballot was received (mail, email, or fax), must return the ballot by mail or in person. Call the office with any questions or clarification at (904) 823-2238.
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I am an overseas citizen. If I do not maintain a legal residence in the United States, what is my legal state of residence?
Your "legal state of residence" for voting purposes is the state or territory where you last resided immediately prior to your departure from the United States. This right extends to overseas citizens even though they may not have property or other ties in their last state or territory of residence and their intent to return to that state or territory may be uncertain. When completing the FPCA's Voting Residence section, be sure to enter the entire mailing address of your last residence, including street or rural route and number. Call the office with any questions or clarification at (904) 823-2238.
Political Parties
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Why do I have to declare a political party?
You are not required to declare a party preference.
In Florida’s partisan elections, members of each political party can field a candidate for the general election to represent their party. To select a political party’s nominee, voters need to have been a member of that political party 29 days before the primary election.
In the general election voters of any political affiliation, including those with no party, may vote for any candidate on their ballot regardless of the candidate’s party.
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When and how do I change my party preference?
A party affiliation may be changed at any time. However, when the registration books are closed for an election (29 days prior to each election), the party change will not take place until after the election. Party changes may be submitted on a Florida voter registration application or by signed, written request which includes either your date of birth or your voter identification number. It may be changed online at: www.Registertovoteflorida.gov
Requests and application forms can be mailed to:
Supervisor of Elections
4455 Avenue A Ste 101
St. Augustine, FL 32095
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What is a political poll watcher?
A political poll watcher is a person designated by a candidate, political party, or political committee to watch and observe the conduct of elections. Political poll watchers are not in any way associated with our office.
Candidates
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What are the solicitation boundaries at the polls?
Per F.S. 102.031(4)(a):
“No person, political committee, or other group or organization may solicit voters inside the polling place or within 150 feet of the entrance to any polling place, a polling room where the polling place is also a polling room, an early voting site, or an office of the supervisor where vote-by-mail ballots are requested and printed on demand for the convenience of electors who appear in person to request them. Before the opening of the polling place or early voting site, the clerk or supervisor shall designate the no-solicitation zone and mark the boundaries.”
We will have signs at the polling location indicating the boundary. If anyone violates the boundary, please let an election worker know.
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What is a Write-In Candidate?
This is a candidate who qualified in a manner that does not allow for his/her name to appear on the ballot. However, a space is provided for the candidate's name to be written on the general election ballot. A person qualifying as a write-in candidate is not required to pay a filing fee, election assessment, or party assessment.
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Where can I find candidates for the next election?
A list of current candidates can be found here.
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How are candidates listed on the ballot?
In a primary election, candidates are listed alphabetically (except for circuit court judges who are determined by lot conducted by the State Director of the Division of Elections).
In a general election, the names of the candidates of the party that received the highest number of votes for governor in the last election shall be placed first under the heading for each office; then, the names of the candidates of the party that received the second highest vote for Governor shall be second.
Minor political party candidates and candidates with no party affiliation shall have their names appear on the general election ballot following the names of recognized political parties, in the same order as they were certified.
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How much money can I donate to a candidate?
Up to $1,000 per election. This amount includes in-kind contributions.
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When is Candidate Qualifying?
Candidate qualifying for Judicial, State Attorney, U.S. Senator, U.S. Representative, and Public Defender candidates is noon, April 22 through noon, April 26, 2024. Qualifying papers will be accepted beginning April 8, 2024.
Candidate qualifying for State Senator, State Representative, Municipalities, Multi-Special Districts, Community Development Districts, and County Offices candidates is noon, June 10 through noon, June 14, 2024. Qualifying papers will be accepted beginning May 27, 2024.
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What offices are scheduled for election in the next election cycle?
Offices scheduled for the next election cycle can be found at the link below:
Voter Bill of Rights
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Voter Bill of Rights
- Vote and have his or her vote accurately counted.
- Cast a vote if he or she is in line at the official closing of the polls in that county.
- Ask for and receive assistance in voting.
- Receive up to two replacement ballots if he or she makes a mistake prior to the ballot being cast.
- An explanation if his or her registration, or identity, is in question.
- If his or her registration, or identity, is in question, cast a provisional ballot.
- Written instructions to use when voting, and, upon request, oral instructions 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 that will allow votes to be accurately cast.
Voter Responsibilities
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Voter Responsibilities
- Familiarize himself or herself with the candidates and issues.
- Maintain with the office of supervisor of elections a current address.
- Know the location of his or her polling place and its hours of operation.
- Bring proper identification to the polling station.
- Familarize himself or herself with the operation of the voting equipment in his or her precinct.
- Treat precinct workers with courtesy.
- Respect the privacy of other voters.
- Report any problems or violations of election laws to the supervisor of elections.
- Ask questions in needed.
- Make sure that his or her completed ballot is correct before leaving the polling station.
NOTE: Failure to perform any of these responsibilities does not prohibit a voter from voting.
Contact
Office Hours
Mon - Fri (8:30 AM to 5:00 PM)
F.S. 668.6076 Under Florida law, e-mail addresses are public records. If you do not want your e-mail address released in response to a public records request, do not send electronic mail to this entity. Instead, contact this office by phone or in writing.