Who Can Vote By Mail?
If you are a registered Broward County voter, you are entitled to Vote By Mail.
Requesting a Vote-By-Mail Ballot
Online application
In writing (e.g., by email VBM@browardvotes.gov, fax (954) 357-7033, mail VBM Request, PO Box 029001, Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33302-9001)
In person at 115 S. Andrews Ave, Room 102, Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33301, or 1501 NW 40th Ave, Lauderhill, FL 33313;
By telephone call: 954-357-VOTE (8683)
The request must include the following information:
The voter's name;
The voter’s address;
The voter’s date of birth; and
The voter’s signature (if the request is written and the request is to an address other than the one on file). Note, an exception to this requirement exists for absent uniformed service voter or an overseas voter seeking a vote-by-mail ballot.
A voter can designate an immediate family member (the designee's spouse or child, grandparent, sibling of the designee or of the designee's spouse) or the voter's legal guardian to request the ballot on their behalf. The following additional information is required for the request:
The requestor’s address;
The requestor’s driver’s license number (if available);
The requestor’s relationship to the voter; and
The requestor’s signature (if the request is written).
Who Can Pick UP a Vote-By-Mail Ballot
A voter can pick up their own vote-by-mail ballot at any time once the ballot becomes available. You can have a person request and return a vote-by-mail ballot for you. That person is your designee. The designee can pick up the ballot no earlier than 9 days before Election Day until the day before the election. A designee is limited to picking up vote-by-mail ballots for two other voters per election (not including their own ballot and the ballots for immediate family members). An immediate family member refers to the designee's spouse or the parent, child, grandparent, grandchild, or sibling of the designee or of the designee's spouse.
The designee must submit an affidavit to pick-up the voter’s blank ballot. Form DS-DE 37 (English) (Español) (Kreyòl) is a combination form that includes the affidavit for ballot pick-up, the written authorization for the designee and if a request is not already on record, the voter’s request for a vote-by-mail ballot.
The designee completes the form and the voter provides a written request containing specific information found on the Vote-by-Mail Ballot Request. The picture ID, the form, and the voter's written request must be presented when requesting or returning the vote-by-mail ballot.
If a voter or designee waits until Election Day to pick up or have delivered a vote-by-mail ballot, the Election Day Vote-by-Mail Ballot Delivery Affidavit (DS-DE 136 - English PDF / Español PDF) must also be completed. The voter must affirm that an emergency exists that keeps the voter from being able to vote at his or her assigned polling place.
Voting a Vote-By-Mail Ballot
Instructions are included with the vote-by-mail ballot. Florida does not have a witness requirement to complete a ballot certificate.
Returning a Vote-By-Mail Ballot
A vote-by-mail ballot can be returned by mail or delivered in person. If returned by mail, it can be returned by the United States postal service or through another private or commercial carrier as long as the ballot is received by the requisite deadline.
A vote-by-mail ballot cannot be returned online, by fax, by email or by fax with one exception. Overseas voters (civilian and military) have the option to return their ballot by mail or by fax. Please visit the webpage Military and Overseas Voters for more information.
Vote-by-mail ballots may also be deposited into secure drop boxes at Supervisors of Elections' main and branch offices (115 S. Andrews Ave, Room 102, Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33301, or 1501 NW 40th Ave, Lauderhill, FL 33313) until 7:00pm (local time) on Election Day. Vote-by-mail ballots may also be deposited at secure drop boxes at designated early voting sites.
Tracking your Vote-By-Mail Ballot Request
Any voter who has requested a Vote-By-Mail ballot can track his/her status online through a link on www.browardvotes.gov, and click on “Check Your Vote-By-Mail Ballot Status”
Early Voting
Early voting is required in any election that contains a state or federal office race. The early voting period must start at least on the 10th day before the election and end on the 3rd day before the election. In addition, supervisors of elections have the option to offer more early voting on the 15th, 14th, 13th, 12th, 11th, or 2nd day before an election. Florida State Statute 101.657.