April 1, 2023: Deadline for the Randolph Bracy
Ocoee College Scholarship Program

Days
Hours
Minutes
Seconds

Voting

ATJ is keenly aware of the history of voter suppression in Florida and around the country. As part of our mission, we encourage every citizen to vote.

Florida Has Two Elections This Year: Be Ready, Your Vote Is Your Voice!

FLORIDA PRIMARY ELECTION—August 23, 2022

  • Voter Registration Deadline: July 25
  • Statewide Early Voting: August 13 – 20
  • Election Day: August 23

FLORIDA GENERAL ELECTION—November 8

  • Voter Registration Deadline: October 11
  • Statewide Early Voting: October 29 – November 5
  • Election Day: November 8

ATJ Member Charley Williams recently interviewed Orange County Supervisor of Elections Bill Cowles about the August Primary. Questions and answers follow: 

Bill, our Aug 23rd Florida Primary is coming up. Is there something for every voter on the ballot, regardless of party affiliation?

Yes. There is a ballot for ALL Voters in Orange County. Besides the Party Contest (US Senate/Congress/Governor/Attorney General/Agriculture/State Senate and State House) there are non-partisan contests on all ballots. The non-partisan contests include County Mayor/County Commissioners/School Board Chair/School Board Members/Circuit Judges and County Judges. Not all of these contests are on one ballot. Your ballot is based on which district you live in and which party you are registered in.

What is the deadline for new voters to register for the Primary and what are the ways Orange County voters can cast a ballot?

The deadline for first time registering in the State of Florida is Monday, July 25th. This is also the deadline for changing your political party for the 2022 Primary Election.

All voters have three options for voting. You can Vote-by-Mail, Early Vote (August 8th through August 20th) or at your assigned polling place on Election Day.

To find your Early Voting site, click on this link: https://ocfelections.com/early-voting

For Winter Park voters, early voting will be held on the second floor of the new Winter Park Library.

Can I track my return vote-by-mail ballot online? Will postage be paid by the county?

Vote-by-Mail Voters can check their ballot status on our website (ocfelections.gov). The Ballot Tracker will let you know when it was mailed, returned, and its current status.

Orange County continues to pay the return postage for Vote-by-Mail Ballots.

Each early voting site will have a Secure Ballot Intake Station where voters can drop-off their ballots during early voting hours. For the Primary is 9 AM to 7 PM.

Why is turnout (18 – 22%) usually so low in the Primary? What can we do to bump those numbers up?

With county contests and school board contests on the Primary ballot, it about the future of our community, that we call home. We need to let everyone know that.

What is the best election’s website for voters to keep handy?

Your trusted source for accurate Election information: www.Ocfelections.gov