Frequently Asked Questions

Voter Registration

Where can I register to vote?

Click here for registration locations

Do I have to be a United States Citizen to register to vote?

Yes. You must be a United States Citizen to register to vote.

Can I register to vote if I have been convicted of a felony?

Yes...if your civil rights have been restored. To find out if your civil rights have been restored, contact:

The Office of Executive Clemency

2601 Blair Stone Road

Building C, Room 229

Tallahassee, FL 32399-2450

850-488-2952

Can I register in Martin County if I live here part of the year and in another state part of the year?

Yes. However, Martin County must be your primary residence and you must only be registered here. By law, you cannot be registered in two places at once.

How do I register if I do not have a permanent address?

Provide your temporary address and notify the Supervisor of Elections office when you have a permanent address. If you no longer maintain or do not plan to have a permanent address in Martin County, but intend to remain a resident of this county, you may use the main office address of the Supervisor of Elections. This address is 135 SE Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard, Stuart, FL 34994.

Do I have to declare a political party?

You are not required to declare a party preference. However, Florida is a closed primary state. In a primary election, voters may only vote for the candidates in their party. By not selecting a party, you limit your vote in the primaries to only judges and issues. The only exception is a Universal Primary Contest or "UPC". A UPC is a contest in a primary election in which all candidates have the same party affiliation and the winner will have no opposition in the general election. All qualified electors may vote on a UPC regardless of party affiliation.

What if I cannot sign my name on the application?

Place your mark or an "X" in the signature box.

Note: A Power of Attorney's signature does not make an application complete. The signature must come from the applicant.

How do I change my address, party affiliation or name?

If you have moved within Martin County, you may change your address online, by phone, or by sending a signed letter or Voter Registration Application to the Supervisor of Elections.
If you have moved out of Martin County and moved to another county in Florida, you must complete a Voter Registration Application and send it to the Supervisor of Elections office in the county where you now reside.
To report a party change, a new Voter Registration Application must be filed with the Supervisor of Elections.
To report a name change, a new Voter Registration Application must be filed with the Supervisor of Elections.

Why do I need to update my signature?

Absentee ballots and petitions for candidates or issues are verified by an elector's signature. If the signature on file does not match the signature on the absentee ballot or petition they will not be accepted. A voter's signature evolves with time under normal circumstances and change is a part of the maturation process. Each elector should provide the elections office with an update of his or her signature particularly when they notice there has been a change.

Is there a deadline to register to vote?

The registration deadline (book closing date) is 29 days before an election. You must register before the book closing date in order to vote in that election. You may submit your application to register to vote after the deadline, but you will not be added to the voter rolls until after the election.

Do I have to re-register to vote before each election?

No. Your registration is permanent if you have voted in at least one of the last two general elections and have not moved out of the county.

Do I have to register somewhere else for city elections?

No, there is one central voter roll in each county that is used for all city, county, state, and national elections. You must live within the political boundaries of the city to vote in city elections.

After completing a Voter Registration Application, when will I receive a voter I.D. card?

Approximately three weeks after the application is received by the Supervisor of Elections office.

Click here to download a Voter Registration Application

Voting Information

How do I know where to vote?

Click here to find your precinct

When is early voting available?

Early voting starts 15 days prior to each Election Day.

What hours are the polls open on Election Day?

7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.

If I have moved, can I vote in my old precinct?

No, it is illegal to vote in a precinct in which you do not reside. Contact the Supervisor of Elections office for more information.

What identification do I need in order to vote?

A signed photo I.D.

Voting By Mail

Who is eligible for a Vote By Mail ballot?

If you are registered to vote in Martin County, you are entitled to vote by mail.

When are Vote By Mail ballots available?

Approximately 30 days prior to each election.

Can a Power of Attorney sign ballot for someone other than himself/herself?

No. It is very important to keep signatures updated with the Supervisor of Elections, because if the signature on file does not match the signature on the ballot, the ballot will not be counted.

How do I return my ballot?

A ballot can be mailed or hand delivered to the Elections Center. The ballot must be returned in the envelope provided which must include the voter's signature. Voted ballots must be received at the Elections Center by 7:00 pm on Election Day in order to be counted. A Vote By Mail ballot cannot be accepted at a polling place.