FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

WHAT IS PARTY AFFILIATION?

Florida is a closed primary state. In partisan office contests in a primary election, a voter may only vote for the candidates of the party in which he or she is registered. That is why different ballot styles exist in a primary election. The voter’s ballot style is tied to his or her party affiliation.
Voters registered with no party affiliation (NPA) are not eligible to vote for partisan candidates in a primary election unless a Universal Primary Contest (UPC) occurs.
All registered voters regardless of party affiliation are entitled to vote on non-partisan candidates and issues.
In a General Election, all registered voters receive the same ballot regardless of their party affiliation and are eligible to vote for any candidate.

WHO ARE MARION DEMS?

A group of like-minded people who support the Democratic Party. We volunteer our time and resources to support candidates and programs that grow the Democratic precense in Marion County. Learn More

WHO OPERATES MARION DEMS?

A group of passionate volunteers that live and love Marion County, just like you! Our group is growing! Interested in joining? Here’s More Info

HOW DO I JOIN MARION DEMS?

You can join the Marion Dems at any capacity!

  • Attend a meeting, and decide your best fit. As a county, we have multple caucuses and clubs, in addition to our larger group. View Calendar 
  • We are always in need of monetary donations, to operate and support candidates. We accept online donations through payment processor called ActBlue, they securely charge to your provided payment information. We also accept mail-in donations, to download the form, visit this link. Donations can be one-time, or monthly. 
  • Volunteer! Our party is only as strong as our ideals and support. More Info
  • Run for Office! More Info
WHO CAN VOTE?

To register to vote in the state of Florida, you must:

  • Be a Citizen of the United States of America. (A lawful permanent resident, commonly referred to as a “green card holder,” does not have the right to register or vote in Florida.)
  • Be a Florida resident
  • Be at least 18 years old. (You may pre-register to vote if you are 16 years old.)
  • Not have been adjudicated mentally incapacitated with respect to voting in Florida or any other state without having the right to vote restored
  • Not have been convicted of a felony without your voting rights having been restored
WHAT IS VOTE BY MAIL?

Vote-by-mail, formerly referred to as “Absentee Voting”, is a convenient voting option available to all registered voters to receive and cast a paper ballot by mail as an alternative to going to the polls. Voting by mail is easy and accurate!

  • Avoid possible lines
  • No schedule conflicts
  • Additional time to study the candidates and issues on the ballot
WHO CAN USE A VOTE BY MAIL BALLOT?

All registered voters are permitted to vote-by-mail under Florida Law and are no longer required to have an excuse unless issued on Election Day.

HOW DO I RECEIVE A VOTE BY MAIL BALLOT?

Vote-by-mail ballots are not automatically mailed. To receive a vote-by-mail ballot a voter must have an active request on file with the Marion County Election Center. To check the status of your mail ballot request you can us at 352-620-3290 or look it up by using the Voter Registration Status Toolkit.

WHE IS THE DEADLINE TO REQUEST A VOTE BY MAIL BALLOT?

A request for a vote-by-mail ballot to be mailed to a voter must be received by the Marion County Election Center no later than 5 pm on the 12th day before the election. If the deadline has passed, the voter or designee still has the option of picking up a vote-by-mail ballot from the Election Center through Election Day. However, all mail ballots are still required to be received by the Election Center by 7 p.m. election night to be counted.

HOW DO I REQUEST TO VOTE BY MAIL?

Voters can request a vote-by-mail ballot for a specific election or for all elections up through the end of the calendar year of the next scheduled general election. Mail ballots cannot be forwarded so please make sure that the Election Center has your current mailing address on file or the specified address you would like to receive your mail ballot. A request for a ballot to be mailed to an address other than the voter’s address on file must be in writing and signed by the voter including the voter’s Florida driver license number or Florida ID card number or the last four digits of their social security number.

HOW TO MILITARY OVERSEAS VOTE?

Visit the Marion Supervisor of Elections Military/Overseas webpage for specific details.

HOW DO I REGISTER TO VOTE?

In Person

You can register to vote or submit your completed application at the Marion county Election Center or at any of the following Tax Collectors or Library Offices:

For more information on additional agencies or to request an application be mailed to you, call 352-620-3290.

Online/By Mail

Marion County Election Center, 981 NE 16th St., Ocala FL 34470 or PO Box 289, Ocala, FL 34478

You can register or update your record any time. To vote in an upcoming election, the deadline to register is the 29th day before that election. A later registration deadline is available under limited circumstances for military and overseas citizens. The Marion County Supervisor of Elections website has all the latest, detailed information: www.votemarion.gov!

WHAT ARE THE VOTER ID REQUIREMENTS?

In the state of Florida, voters are required to present current and valid photo and signature identification to vote (F.S. 101.043)

Acceptable Forms of Identification:

  • Florida driver’s license
  • Florida identification card issued by HSMV (Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles
  • U.S. passport
  • Debit or credit card
  • Military identification
  • Student identification
  • Retirement center identification
  • Neighborhood association identification
  • Public assistance identification
  • Veteran health ID card issued by U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
  • A license to carry a concealed weapon or firearm issued pursuant to s. 790.06
  • Employee ID card issued by any branch, department, agency, or entity of the U.S. Federal Government, the state, a county, or municipality.

Two forms of identification may be presented if one form contains the voter’s photo and the other form contains the voter’s signature. If you have any questions, call the Marion County Election Center at 352-620-3290.

NOTE: A voter information card is for informational purposes only.