FAQs
Voter Registration Qualifications
How do I register to vote?
Get the details on how to register to vote in Seminole County.
Do I have to be a United States Citizen?
Yes. You must be a United States Citizen to be a registered voter. If you have a Green Card, that indicates that you are not a United States citizen.
What identification do I need in order 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.
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.
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.
If I have citizenship in the U.S. and another country, can I still register to vote?
Yes, as long as you are a U.S. citizen and satisfy the other requirements for registration.
How do I change my voter registration?
Can I choose which address to use for registering?
No. Because 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.
Do I have to register prior to each election?
No. Once you become a registered voter in Seminole 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.
Will my information become public record?
Yes. All information on your registration application form (other than your drivers license number, social security number, and signature) become public record. Voters in certain occupations may request their data be exempt from public record.
Voting
How do I know where I vote?
That information is provided to you on your voter information card. You may look up your voter record on our website or call our voter hotline at 407-585-8683.
Where To VoteWhat hours are the polls open in Seminole County?
7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Election Day. We also have early voting for all countywide elections. For information about which locations will be available and dates/hours open for the next election, visit the Upcoming Elections page of our site.
What are the identification requirements for voting?
Florida law requires two forms of identification at the polls. In order to vote you must present both signature and photo identification. It can be one form of identification, such as a Florida driver license, or two separate forms of identification. 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 identification with your signature on it.
Examples of Picture Identification:
- Florida drivers 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 Identification Card
- Government Employee Identification Card
If you do not have proper ID, you must vote a Provisional Ballot, which is a paper ballot issued at the polling place or at the early voting site to a voter who does not provide photo and signature identification or whose eligibility to vote cannot be determined. Additionally, it will take you longer to be processed to vote. A person casting a provisional ballot shall have the right to present written evidence supporting his or her eligibility to vote to the supervisor of elections by not later than 5 p.m. on the second day following the election.
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 necessary to vote. They serve as confirmation of your voter registration and provide information on your precinct and polling location. If you have lost your information card and would like a new one, you must request one in writing or complete a voter registration application.
Vote-by-Mail
How can I request a vote-by-mail ballot?
May I request a vote-by-mail ballot for someone else?
Yes. You may request a vote-by-mail ballot be mailed to anyone in your immediate family or anyone for whom you are a legal guardian. Any request for a voter must include the voter’s name, date of birth, address, and where the ballot is to be mailed. As well, the requestor must provide their name, address, relationship to the voter, and signature (written requests only). Please note that if a ballot is being sent to an address that is not on file with our office, only the voter may make the request and it MUST contain the voter’s signature.
May I designate someone to pick up a mail ballot for me?
After vote-by-mail ballots have been mailed and up to 7 p.m. on Election Day, you can designate, in writing, someone to pick up your vote-by-mail ballot from our office. Your written request must include your name, residential address, mailing address (if any), date of birth, signature and election for which you are requesting a vote-by-mail ballot. The designee must show their photo identification and may pick up ballots for no more than two non-family members.
If your vote-by-mail ballot is picked up during the mandatory early voting period and up to 7 P.M. on Election Day, you or your designee have to complete Section 1 of the below Affidavit to affirm that you have an emergency that keeps you from being able to go to your assigned polling place or designated early voting site to vote. If the affidavit is completed by your designee, they must also submit the Affidavit to Pick-Up Vote-by Mail Ballot for a Voter. (See Section 1)
I recently moved and put a forwarding order on my mail. Will I receive my vote-by-mail ballot?
No, mail ballots cannot be forwarded or held by the post office. If you have moved, you need to contact our office so we can send your mail ballot to the correct address. Per Florida Statute, you only have three ballots that can be issued to you. Sending a ballot to an undeliverable address counts as an issued ballot. As soon as you move, notify our office of your address change. This will ensure you receive your ballot in a timely manner.
May I vote-by-mail before Election Day?
Yes, in fact, you may return your completed vote-by-mail ballot the same day you receive it. We encourage you to request a vote-by-mail ballot as soon as possible. Vote-by-mail ballots are mailed about a month before Election Day.
Will my vote still count if I forgot to put the secrecy sleeve in the mail ballot envelope?
Yes. The secrecy sleeve is included in the packet as an option for you to use. If you don’t include it in the returned ballot envelope, your vote will not be impacted.
I am uncomfortable with mailing my ballot with my signature showing on the outside. Is there anything that I can do about this?
You can put your signed envelope inside another envelope addresses to our office and mark on the outside of the second envelope “vote-by-mail ballot enclosed.” Beginning the day you receive your vote-by-mail ballot, you may deliver it in person to the Supervisor of Elections Office during regular business hours until Election Day at 7:00 p.m. Once early voting has begun, you may also deliver it to one of our Secure Ballot Intake Stations located at each of our early voting locations during early voting hours.
On the vote-by-mail envelope, there is a place for email, home telephone, and mobile telephone. Do I have to complete that in order to have my ballot count?
No, the only information that the voter must provide is their signature. The other information is optional but gives our office a way to reach the voter if there is a signature issue with their ballot.
I have power of attorney for my mother, can I sign the mail ballot envelope on her behalf?
No, it is illegal to sign for someone else, no exceptions. All mail ballots must be signed by the voter, even if it is with their mark.
I forgot to sign my mail ballot envelope! Can I fix that?
Yes. If you returned your mail ballot but forgot to sign the envelope, or if the signature has been flagged for review, your ballot may not count unless you complete and return the Vote-by-Mail Ballot Cure Affidavit form with a copy of identification no later than 5 p.m. two days after the election. Please follow the instructions carefully as failure to follow the instructions may cause your ballot not to count. Voters who have a signature issue are notified by mail, email, and telephone, based on the information provided to our office by the voter.
Download the Vote-by-Mail Cure Affidavit
Affidavit PDF (English)
Affidavit PDF (Español)
Will a vote-by-mail ballot be counted if it is postmarked on Election Day?
No, a vote-by-mail ballot is only counted if it is RECEIVED in the Supervisor of Elections Office by 7:00 p.m. on Election Day. Postmarks do not count.
It’s getting close to Election Day and I want to make sure my ballot is received on time, what can I do?
You can drop off your signed envelope and ballot to our office during office hours or at any early voting location during early voting hours. You can also exchange it for an in-person ballot at any early voting location or at your assigned polling location on Election Day.
Does having a vote-by-mail ballot prevent me from voting in person?
No. You may surrender your mail ballot and vote in-person during early voting or on Election Day. Each person may receive up to three ballots per election, but may only cast one of those ballots.
Can I bring my vote-by-mail ballot to my precinct on Election Day?
Provided your vote-by-mail ballot is not your third and final ballot allowed per Florida law, you will be asked to surrender it and vote a new ballot at your precinct. Vote-by-mail ballots may only be turned in at the Supervisor of Elections Office on Election Day before 7:00 p.m.
How do I know the Supervisor of Elections Office received my voted vote-by-mail ballot?
You can track the status of your vote-by-mail ballot on our official website www.TrackMyMailBallot.gov to see when your ballot was received by our office. If there are any issues with your signature, it will alert you and provide a link to the Mail Ballot Signature Affidavit.
Is my vote still secret if I vote-by-mail?
Yes. Recording your vote-by-mail ballot is a two-step process. Upon receiving your completed mail ballot envelope, we compare the signature on the outside of the envelope to the signature on your voter record. At that time, it is marked on your record that you have cast a ballot for the election and the unopened envelope with the ballot inside is stored in our vault. During canvassing, the ballots are separated from the mail ballot envelopes and run through our high-speed counters to count the votes. The only identifying numbers on the ballot are the style of ballot and your precinct number; your vote is secret and your selections are aggregated with the thousands of votes cast in your precinct.
Are vote-by-mail ballots only counted if the election is close?
No, vote-by-mail ballots are the first ballots tabulated. Florida law allows for the canvassing of vote-by-mail ballots up to 22 days prior to Election Day. While the ballots are canvassed in the presence of the County Canvassing Board, the results are not released until 7 p.m. on Election Night. The first results posted at our website,www.VoteSeminole.gov, are the tabulated vote-by-mail and early voting results.
No, vote-by-mail ballots are the first ballots tabulated. Florida law allows for the canvassing of vote-by-mail ballots up to 22 days prior to Election Day. While the ballots are canvassed in the presence of the County Canvassing Board, the results are not released until 7 p.m. on Election Night. The first results posted at our website, www.VoteSeminole.org, are the tabulated vote-by-mail and early voting results.
Military/Overseas Voters
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:
Director of Federal Voting Assistance Program
Office of the Secretary of Defense
Washington Headquarters Services
1155 Defense Pentagon
Washington, D.C. 20301-1155
FVAP Fax: 703-588-0108
Email: [email protected]
Toll-free: 800-438-8683
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 considered to be 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 mailed to you or transmitted electronically. Only overseas military or civilian voters may return a ballot via fax. Domestic military voters, regardless of the manner in which the ballot was received (mail or electronically), must return the ballot by mail or in person.
I am an overseas citizen. If I do not maintain a legal residence in the U.S., 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.
Political Parties
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 for at least 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.
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.
Election Workers
How can I become an election worker?
You must complete and submit an online application. Qualified applicants will be added to our election worker file and notified by phone or email if any position becomes available.
How much do election workers earn?
Election workers earn between $195 and $275 on Election Day, depending on the position worked.
Can I work part time?
Election workers are REQUIRED to remain at the polling place throughout the entire day. Because of the importance and security of the election, election workers are not allowed to leave the polling place until the election is completed and all poll-closing duties have been performed. The clerk will inform the election workers when all tasks are completed and everyone is allowed to leave. You should plan to have with you any food, drinks, snacks and medication which you may need for the day.
What are the different types of election workers?
CLERK:
The Clerk is in charge of the precinct and responsible for ensuring all election workers perform their duties as instructed. The Clerk’s pre-election responsibilities include assisting with recruitment of election workers for their precinct, picking up precinct supplies prior to election day, contacting the polling location and arranging for access on election morning, calling all election workers assigned to the precinct before the election and taking care of any last minute updates as provided by the SOE before the polls open at 7:00 a.m. Post-election responsibilities include, with the help of one other election worker, dropping off election materials to a drop site on election night once all duties at the precinct have been completed.
ASSISTANT CLERK:
The Assistant Clerk is someone who trains as a clerk, but works as a VotePass Assistant. This is the “clerk-in-training” position for election workers who wish to move into a clerk position in the future. The Assistant Clerk can step in to serve as clerk in the case of an emergency. May be required to travel with the clerk to drop off election materials to a designated drop site after the polls close.
VOTEPASS ASSISTANT:
VotePass Assistants check in voters using the electronic database in the VotePass unit, issue the appropriate ballot to each voter, and also assist voters who are unable to be processed through standard voter check-in procedures. VotePass Assistants, with the help of the clerk, also issue provisional ballots. May be required to travel with the clerk to drop off election materials to a designated drop site after the polls close.
VOTING EQUIPMENT TECHNICIAN:
The Voting Equipment Technician is responsible for preparing the DS200 scanner and the ExpressVote for voters on Election Day, assisting voters in casting their ballots using the voting equipment, and for closing the machines and transmitting election results. May be required to travel with the clerk to drop off election materials to a designated drop site after the polls close.
DEPUTY:
The Deputy is responsible for maintaining order outside the polling place and is the first election worker with whom voters come in contact. All voters are greeted by the Deputy as they approach the building. Deputies also monitor the 150-foot Campaign Free Zone.
What type of conduct is expected of an election worker?
It is important to remember that even if there are no voters in the polling room, you are still working. You are expected to treat all voters, regardless of political affiliation, disability, language proficiency, etc., with respect and courtesy and do whatever is necessary to assist them in the voting process. Also remember we are “borrowing” the polling place facility for Election Day and should always take care of the location with courtesy and respect.
The following activities are either limited or prohibited, as indicated:
- Smoking is PROHIBITED on Election Day. Polling places do not allow smoking inside, some not on the property at all. You are not allowed to leave the polling place during the day, which means there will be no opportunity or location for a smoke break. (Deputies who are on duty outside the polling location are also prohibited from smoking.)
- Election workers may take reading materials to the polling place for use during slow times (when no voters are present). However, these materials CANNOT be political in nature, which would include most sections of newspapers on Election Day. Electronic readers are not allowed (see next bullet).
- No personal electronic devices are allowed. This includes personal laptops, music players of any kind, iPads/Nooks/Kindles, other e-readers, portable TVs, etc.
- Personal cell phones should be turned OFF or placed on silent for use in emergencies only. Your job is to work for the elections office on Election Day, and you should not use your personal cell phone (for phone calls, texting, email messages, etc.) while on duty. If you must use your cell phone, such as while on a break, make sure you notify the clerk and walk away from the voting area (but remain in the polling room as required) so as not to disturb voters or your fellow election workers.
- Election workers must remain non-political on Election Day and may not discuss any candidate, issue or related topic with other workers or voters. In addition, election workers cannot wear political advertisements or any other items that are politically oriented.
The Clerk will manage break times and lunch times as necessary. However, these are not guaranteed and may be limited depending upon the level of voter turnout during an election. Notify the Clerk any time you need to take a break so that your duties can be covered. Realize, however, that you may be called back to your position at any time if turnout demands it.
Is there a dress code?
Although voters are allowed to wear whatever they like on Election Day, election worker dress code has a few rules. Election workers cannot wear anything that is political in nature, such as shirts supporting a candidate, buttons supporting a political party, etc. Essentially, nothing you wear should let any voter know anything about your political beliefs. Patriotic clothing, however, such as a shirt with an American flag, red, white and blue attire or an eagle pin, is perfectly acceptable. You want to dress so that you are presentable to the public, but at the same time comfortable for your long day. Although you do not have to “dress up” we do ask that you refrain from wearing jeans, shorts or flip-flops.
Ballot Tabulation
What type of voting system does Seminole County use?
Seminole County uses a paper ballot where votes are cast by filling in ovals.
Pollwatchers
What is a pollwatcher?
A pollwatcher is a person designated by a candidate, political party, or political committee to watch and observe the conduct of elections. Political pollwatchers are not in any way associated with our office.
Candidates
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.
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.
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.
How much money can I donate to a candidate?
Up to $1,000 per election. This amount includes in-kind contributions.
How can I get a county charter question on the ballot?
Seminole County’s Charter provides a mechanism for residents to add an initiative amendment to an upcoming election ballot. Below is the text of the charter, which outlines the process.
Section 4.2 Home Rule Charter Amendments.
A. Amendments Proposed by Petition.
(1) Amendments to the Home Rule Charter may be proposed by petition signed by a number of electors residing in at least three-fifths (3/5) of the County Commission election districts and of the County as a whole equal to seven and one-half percent (7.5%) of electors qualified to vote in the last preceding general election. Each such proposed amendment shall embrace but one subject and matter directly connected therewith. Each Charter amendment proposed by petition shall be placed on the ballot by resolution of the Board of County Commissioners for the general election occurring in excess of 90 days from the certification by the Supervisor of Elections that the requisite number of signatures has been verified.
(2) The sponsor of a petition amendment shall, prior to obtaining any signatures, submit the text of the proposed amendment to the Supervisor of Elections, with the form on which the signatures will be affixed, and shall obtain the approval of the Supervisor of Elections of such form. The style and requirements of such form shall be specified by ordinance. The beginning date of any petition drive shall commence upon the date of approval by the Supervisor of Elections of the form on which signatures will be affixed, and said drive shall terminate six (6) months after that date. In the event sufficient signatures are not acquired during that six (6) month period, the petition initiative shall be rendered null and void and none of the signatures may be carried over onto another identical or similar petition. The sponsor shall submit signed and dated forms to the Supervisor of Elections and upon submission pay all fees as required by general law. The Supervisor of Elections shall within 60 days verify the signatures thereon.
(3) If approved by a majority of those electors voting on the amendment at the general election, the amendment shall become effective on the date specified in the amendment, or, if not so specified, on January 1 of the succeeding year.
FORMS (Ord. No. 90-6, § 1, 3-13-90)
(a) The petition form which shall be used for proposed amendments to the Home Rule Charter of Seminole County by the initiative process is attached hereto as Exhibit “A”.(b) The petition form which shall be used for proposing, by initiative, that an ordinance be enacted is attached hereto as Exhibit “B”.
(c) The forms referred in this Section are hereby incorporated herein as operative parts of and provisions of this Part.
EXHIBIT “A”
HOME RULE CHARTER OF SEMINOLE COUNTY AMENDMENT PETITION FORM
I am a registered voter of Seminole County and hereby petition the Supervisor of Elections to place substantially the following ballot title and summary relating to the text of the following proposed charter amendment on the ballot in the next election available for such purpose pursuant to Section 4.2A [2] of the Home Rule Charter of Seminole County after final verification of the full number of signatures necessary by the Supervisor of Elections.
A. TITLE: (Insert TITLE of Amendment/title not to exceed 15 words)
B. SUMMARY: (Insert summary of measure to be voted upon. Said summary not to exceed 75 words.) (EXAMPLE: Shall there be an amendment to the Home Rule Charter of Seminole County as follows:
?)
C. TEXT: (The full text of the Amendment should be inserted here or attached to the petition.)
Voter’s Name as registered in Supervisor of Election’s Residence Precinct of Office
Place of Residence
Street
City, Zip Code
Voting Precinct Number
Date of Signature
Printed Name
Signature
EXHIBIT “B”SEMINOLE COUNTY INITIATED ORDINANCE PETITION FORM
I am a registered voter of Seminole County and hereby petition, pursuant to Section 2.2H [4] of the Home Rule Charter of Seminole County, the Board of County Commissioners of Seminole County to enact the ordinance on file with the Supervisor of Elections for Seminole County or amend or repeal an existing ordinance of Seminole County as detailed in a proposed ordinance on file with the Supervisor of Elections for Seminole County said new, amending or repealing ordinance relating to the following subject and matter:
A. TITLE: (Insert TITLE of Ordinance)
B. TEXT: (The full text of the Ordinance should be inserted here or attached to the petition.)
If the Board of County Commissioners does not enact the Ordinance after a sufficient number of electors have signed the petition, then I petition the Board of County Commissioners to call a referendum election on the Ordinance in accordance with Section 2.2H of the Home Rule Charter of Seminole County.
Voter’s Name as registered in Supervisor of Election’s Residence Precinct of Office
Place of Residence
Street
City, Zip Code
Voting Precinct Number
Date of Signature
Printed Name
Signature
Voter Bill of Rights
Each registered voter in Seminole County has the right to:
- 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
- Familiarize himself or herself with the candidates and issues.
- Maintain with the office of the 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.
- Familiarize 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, if needed.
- Make sure that his or her completed ballot is correct before leaving the polling station.
- NOTE TO VOTER: Failure to perform any of these responsibilities does not prohibit a voter from voting.
Petitions And Amendments
What is the cost to verify signatures for constitutional initiative petitions?
Pursuant to Florida Statute 100.371(11)(b), Seminole County’s actual cost of signature verification of an initiative petition is $4.99 per signature.
Redistricting
What is redistricting?
Each of Florida’s 28 United States Representatives, 40 State Senators, and 120 State Representatives are elected from political divisions called districts. The Seminole County Commission and School Board also have districts. Redistricting is the process for updating the maps for these various districts to balance the population after each census.
Why are districts changing?
Every ten years, the United States census counts each person in the country. The Census Bureau uses this information to assign seats in the U.S. House of Representatives to each state. This is known as “reapportionment.” Since Florida’s population increased, we gained a seat in the House of Representatives, growing from 27 to 28 seats. Legislators must draw new district lines to add the new seat to Florida’s map of congressional districts.
Elected officials must also make sure that population is evenly distributed across all the districts. Since millions of people have moved, died, or been born since the last census, district lines for federal, state, and local offices must be redrawn so that each district includes the same number of people. This ensures that every voter has the same amount of power when casting their ballot.
Who is in charge of redistricting?
U.S. House of Representatives Districts
The Florida Legislature is responsible for drawing new maps for Florida’s U.S. House of Representative districts.
Florida House and Florida Senate Districts
The Florida Legislature is responsible for drawing new maps for Florida Senate and Florida House districts.
Seminole County Board of County Commissioners
The Seminole County Board of County Commissioners is responsible for drawing new district maps for the five County Commissioner seats.
Seminole County School Board
The Seminole County School Board districts run concurrent with the Seminole County Commission districts.
Cities in Seminole County
Each city that has districts is responsible for their own reapportionment. All cities in Seminole County, with the exception of Sanford, have representatives who are elected “at-large”, meaning all voters registered within the city limits can vote in each contest. The city of Sanford has single member representation.
Seminole County Supervisor of Elections Office
Our office does not draw district lines. However, we do play a part in the redistricting process. Once the new districts are drawn, we must draw new precinct lines. We update the precinct boundaries so that they align with the new district maps for federal, state, and local offices. We then assign each voter to the precinct that includes their address. This process is known as “reprecincting.”
How will I learn about my new districts and polling place?
Once redistricting and reprecincting is complete, we will mail new voter information cards. The card lists your districts, your precinct, and the address of your Election Day polling place.
You can check your current districts, precinct, and Election Day polling place by using the Voter Information Lookup.
Where can I learn more about redistricting?
You can view information about the 2020 U.S. Census from the
United States Census Bureau website
.
You can learn more about U.S. House, Florida Senate, and Florida House redistricting by visiting the
Florida Legislature’s Redistricting website
.
You can learn more about Seminole County Commission redistricting by visiting the
Seminole County Redistricting page
.
You can view current district maps on the
Seminole County GIS
.
Legal References
- US Constitution
Article I, Section 2, U.S. Constitution – Mandates that apportionment of representatives among the states must be conducted every 10 years. Also empowers congress to conduct the census. - Federal Law
Voting Rights Act of 1965 – Prohibits voting practices and procedures, including redistricting, which discriminate based on race, color, or membership in a language minority group. - Florida Constitution
Article III, Section 16 – Requires the Florida Legislature to divide the state into 30 to 40 contiguous senatorial districts and 80 to 120 contiguous house districts.
Article III, Sections 20 & 21 – Prohibits line-drawing that intentionally favors or disfavors a political party or an incumbent.
Article VIII, Section 1(e) – Sets the size of county commissions at five or seven members and requires redistricting after each census. Districts must be of contiguous territory and nearly equal population.
Article IX, Section 4(a) – Creates school boards and districts. - Florida Statutes
Section 11.031 – Requires that Florida Legislature exclusively use data from the U.S. Census Bureau to redraw districts.
Section 124.01 – Sets standards for county commissioner districts.
Section 1001.36 – Sets standards for school board districts.
Election Laws
Where can I find Florida laws that govern elections?
Florida election laws are outlined in Chapters 99–107 of the Florida Statutes, commonly referred to as the Florida Election Code. These statutes cover topics such as candidate qualifying, voter registration, voting procedures, and election administration.
The Seminole County Supervisor of Elections follows these statutes when conducting elections and administering voter services. State election laws and related rules are maintained by the Florida Division of Elections.
What is the Help America Vote Act (HAVA)?
The Help America Vote Act (HAVA) is a federal law passed in 2002 in response to concerns raised during the 2000 Presidential Election. The law was designed to modernize voting systems and improve election administration nationwide.
Under HAVA, states received funding to replace outdated voting equipment, create statewide voter registration databases, and enhance voter education and poll worker training. The law also established the U.S. Election Assistance Commission and set minimum standards for election administration at the federal, state, and local levels.
If a voter believes a violation of certain HAVA requirements has occurred or is about to occur, a formal HAVA complaint may be submitted for review.
What is the National Voter Registration Act (NVRA)?
The National Voter Registration Act of 1993, often called the “Motor Voter Act,” was created to make voter registration more accessible.
The law requires that eligible citizens be given the opportunity to register to vote or update their voter information when interacting with certain government agencies, such as tax collector offices, public libraries, military recruiting offices, and agencies that serve individuals with disabilities.
In Seminole County, the NVRA helps ensure that voter registration opportunities are available at multiple points of contact throughout the community.
National Voter Registration ActWhat is the Voting Rights Act?
The Voting Rights Act is a federal law originally enacted in 1965 to enforce the constitutional right to vote and prevent discrimination based on race or color. The law has been amended several times to expand protections and address evolving election practices.
Among other provisions, the Act eliminated discriminatory voting requirements such as literacy tests and established safeguards to ensure equal access to the ballot. While some sections of the Act have changed over time following court rulings, its core purpose remains protecting voters from discrimination.
Election officials in Seminole County conduct elections in compliance with the Voting Rights Act to ensure fair and equal access for all voters.
Voting Rights ActWhat is the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)?
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a federal law passed in 1990 that guarantees equal access and opportunity for individuals with disabilities in public services, employment, transportation, and public accommodations.
For elections, the ADA sets accessibility standards for polling places and voting locations. These standards address features such as parking, sidewalks, entrances, hallways, and voting areas to ensure voters with disabilities can vote independently and with dignity.
Seminole County applies ADA requirements when selecting polling locations and provides accessible voting equipment and trained staff to assist voters who need accommodations.
