The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) is a nationwide, nonprofit, nonpartisan organization with more than 500,000 members dedicated to defending the principles of liberty and equality embodied in the Constitution and our nation's civil rights laws. The ACLU doesn't endorse or oppose any candidate or party, but we believe that no civil right is more important in our democracy than the right to vote. This card is designed to help you protect your own right to vote. Keep it handy, and take it with you to the polls on Election Day.

WHO CAN VOTE

Can I vote in Florida?

• You can vote in the November 4 election if you're registered to vote by Monday, October 6.
• You can register if you meet all of the following qualifications: (1) you'll be at least18 years old on Election Day; (2) you're a U.S. citizen; (3) you're a Florida resident; (4) you haven't been declared by a court to be "mentally incapacitated" with respect to voting (unless you've had your voting rights restored); and (5) you've never been convicted of a felony (unless you've had your voting rights restored).

What if I'm a student?

• You can register to vote at whatever address you regard as your primary legal residence. This can be your school address or your home address.

What if I've been convicted of a crime?

• If you were convicted of a felony in Florida, you can't vote in Florida until you've had your voting rights restored.
• If you were convicted of a misdemeanor, you can vote, but you may have to vote by absentee ballot if you're still in jail.
• If you were charged with a felony, but adjudication was withheld or the charges were dropped, you can vote in Florida.
• If you were convicted of a felony in another state but didn't have your voting rights restored in that state, you can't vote in Florida until you've had your voting rights restored in Florida or in the other state.
• If you were convicted of a felony in another state and had your voting rights restored in that state, you can register and vote in Florida without any additional paperwork.
• Visit http://www.aclufl.org/issues/voting_rights/ applying for rights restoration.cfm or http://www.restorerights.org for more information and instructions on how to get your voting rights restored.

What if I'm homeless?

• You don't need a home to register, but you do have to identify a place of residence, which can be a street corner, a park, a shelter or any other place where you usually stay. You should also provide an address, which may be of a local advocacy organization, shelter, outreach center or anywhere else willing to accept mail on your behalf.

REGISTRATION

How do I register?

• You can register to vote:
  (1) in person, by filling out a voter registration application at any Supervisor of Elections' office, driver's license office, voter registration agency, armed forces recruitment office, or the Division of Elections;
  (2) by mail, by filling out a mail-in voter registration application and mailing it to your county's Supervisor of Elections, or any other office that's authorized to accept registrations; or
  (3) when you apply for services at a driver's license office or state agencies that provide public assistance (such as Medicaid, WIC, and food stamps) or services to people with disabilities.
• You can get mail-in voter registration forms from a Supervisor of Elections' office, driver's license office, most libraries, colleges and high schools, by calling your Supervisor of Elections, or online at http://election.dos.state.fl.us/voter-registration/ voter-reg.shtml.

What's the registration deadline?

• You won't be able to vote in the November 4 election, but you can register to vote in future elections.

What if I've moved or changed my name?

• You have to notify your Supervisor of Elections or other voter registration official every time you change your name or address.
• If you moved but didn't provide notice of your address change before October 6, you can vote on the day of the election at the polling place for your new address once you've signed an affidavit affirming your new address. Fla. Stat § 101.045.

How do I know if I'm registered?

• Your Supervisor of Elections will mail you a voter information card within 8 weeks to notify you that you're registered to vote. You can also check your registration status by calling your Supervisor of Elections.

VOTING EARLY

Can I vote before Election Day?

• Yes. Any registered voter can vote before Election Day by casting an absentee ballot or by voting in person at an early voting site.

How do I vote at an early voting site?

• Early voting takes place between Monday, October 20, and Saturday, November 2. Contact your Supervisor of Elections for the hours and location of early voting sites in your county.

How do I get an absentee ballot?

• You have to request an absentee ballot from your county's Supervisor of Elections by 5 p.m. on Wednesday, October 29. You can make your request in person, by telephone, or by mail. Many Supervisors of Elections also offer an online request form.

What's the deadline for returning my absentee ballot?

• To be counted, your absentee ballot must be received by your Supervisor of Elections no later than 7 p.m. on Election Day.

VOTING ON ELECTION DAY

When is Election Day?

• Tuesday, November 4

When are the polls open?

• Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., local time. You have the right to vote if you're in line when the polls close. Fla. Stat. § 100.011

Can I get time off from work to vote?

• The law doesn't require employers to give their employees paid or unpaid time off from work to vote, but your employer may have its own policy allowing you to do so. Ask your employer well before Election Day.

Where do I vote?

• On Election Day, you have to vote at the polling place to which you're assigned. Your assigned precinct will be listed on the voter information card that you should receive in the mail when you register.
• If you don't have your card, you can contact your Supervisor of Elections to confirm your polling place. Many Supervisors of Elections also allow you to look up your polling place online through the supervisor's website.

Can I take voting aids with me into my polling place?

• Yes. You can take written or printed voting aids with you as long as they're for your own use in casting your ballot. Examples include a sample ballot, a voter guide, or this card.

What if my polling place is not accessible?

• State and federal law requires all polling places to be accessible and usable by people with disabilities. If you find out before Election Day that your polling place is inaccessible, notify your Supervisor of Elections and ask for an accommodation.

Can I get a ballot in my native language?

• Some counties in Florida are required by law to provide language assistance in Spanish and Seminole. Other counties provide assistance in languages other than English, even if they're not required by law to do so. Contact your Supervisor of Elections before Election Day to find out what's available in your area. Poll workers in places where language assistance is required should offer this assistance to you. If they don't, tell a poll worker that you want assistance in one of these languages. You're entitled to translation of all ballots and other election materials.
• Even if assistance in your language isn't available where you vote, you have the right to bring an interpreter with you to the polls or to get assistance in your language from anyone you choose, including a poll worker, as long as the person is not your employer, an agent of your employer, or an officer or agent of your labor union. Fla. Stat. § 101.051

What if I need help in the voting booth?

• If you need help because of a physical disability or because you can't read the ballot, tell a poll worker when you get to your polling place. You have the right to vote on an accessible voting machine. You also have the right to have anyone you choose assist you in the voting booth, including a poll worker, as long as the person is not your employer, a representative of your employer, or an officer or representative of your union. Fla. Stat. § 101.051
• If you need instructions on how to use the voting equipment, ask a poll worker for help. Poll workers are required to help you at any time you ask-even after you've entered the voting booth. Fla. Stat. § 101.031

VOTER ID

Do I have to show ID?

• Yes. State law requires all voters to show a photo ID before receiving a ballot.

What are the accepted forms of ID?

• Accepted forms of ID include: a Florida driver's license, a Florida ID card issued by the Dept. of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles; a U.S. passport; a debit or credit card (with your photo on it); a military or student ID; a retirement center ID; a neighborhood association ID; and a public assistance ID. Fla. Stat. § 101.043
• If the ID you provide doesn't include your signature, you'll have to show another form of ID (which doesn't have to include your photo) with your signature on it. Fla. Stat. § 101.043

Provisional Ballets

What is a provisional ballot?

• A provisional ballot is used to record your vote when there's an unresolved question about your eligibility.

Will my provisional ballot be counted?

• Your provisional ballot will only be counted if election officials determine after the election that you were eligible to vote and only if you cast the provisional ballot in your assigned polling place. Most provisional ballots aren't counted, and you should use one only if there's no way for you to vote on a regular ballot

Problems At The Polls

What if I'm not on the voter list?

• First, ask a poll worker to check the list again and to confirm that you're at the right polling place for your address.
• If you're at the right polling place but your name isn't on the voter list, ask for a provisional ballot. You have the right to cast a provisional ballot, even if your name isn't on the voter list. Your provisional ballot will count only if it is cast in your assigned polling place. Fla. Stat. § 101.048

What if I go to the wrong polling place?

• Go to the right polling place. You can ask a poll worker to help you find the polling place where you're registered. You can also call your Supervisor of Elections. Fla. Stat. § 101.048
• If you can't figure out where you're registered, go to the polling place that you think is most likely to be the right one for your address and ask to cast a regular paper ballot. If you are not on the voter list, and you believe you are in your assigned polling place, ask for a provisional ballot. You have the right to cast a provisional ballot even if you're not sure that you're at the right polling place. Fla. Stat. Your provisional ballot will be counted only if election officials later determine that you were eligible to vote and that you voted at the right polling place. Fla. Stat. § 101.048

What if someone challenges my right to vote?

• Ask for a copy of the challenge and a provisional ballot. The challenge must be in writing and under oath, and can be made up to 30 days before the election. You have the right to cast a provisional ballot even if you're challenged. Your ballot will be counted if election officials later determine after the election that you were eligible to vote and that you voted at the right polling place. Fla. Stat. § 101.111

What if someone tries to intimidate or harass me?

• Tell a poll worker right away. If the poll worker is the problem, tell a poll watcher, call your Supervisor of Elections, call one of the election hotline numbers listed at the end of this card, or make a complaint online at http://www.votingrights.org.

What if I make a mistake on my ballot or the voting machine malfunctions?

• Tell a poll worker before you cast your ballot. If you spoil a ballot, you have the right to up to two replacement ballots. If your voting machine malfunctions, you can request a different machine. Fla. Stat. § 101.5608

  How do I make a complaint?

  • First, ask for the person in charge of your polling place. He or she can handle most routine complaints that arise on Election Day. Candidates, political parties, and nonprofit groups may also have poll watchers at your polling place who might be able to assist you. If any of those people ask you who you voted for, or if they can't resolve your complaint, call your Supervisor of Elections or the Division of Elections.
  • You can also call one of the election hotline numbers listed at the end of this card or make a complaint online at http://www.votingrights.org.

  TIPS FOR AVOIDING PROBLEMS

  • Check your voter registration status at least 30 days before the election.
  • Vote before Election Day, using early voting or absentee voting.
  • If you plan to vote at the polls, locate your polling place at least 30 days before the election.
  • Vote early in the day to avoid the last-minute rush.
  • Bring a current and valid photo ID card that has your signature on it.
  • Read all instructions carefully.
  • Ask for help if you need it.
  • Take your time. You have up to 5 minutes to cast your vote. Fla. Stat. § 101.23

  MORE INFORMATION ID

  • FLORIDA DIVISION OF ELECTIONS VOTER ASSISTANCE HOTLINE:
    : (866) 308-6739
  • FLORIDA DIVISION OF ELECTIONS VOTER INTIMIDATION HOTLINE: (877) 868-3737
  • U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE: (800) 253-3931
  • ACLU VOTING RIGHTS PROJECT: (877) 523-2792
  • ACLU OF FLORIDA VOTING RIGHTS PROJECT: (786) 363-2700
  • www.votingrights.org