Florida's 2024 primary election is less than a month out. What to know in Santa Rosa County

The 2024 Florida Primary Election is less than a month out. On Aug. 20, Floridians will have the opportunity to choose who will represent them in the general election in November.

Florida is one of several states that have closed primary elections. That means voters can only cast their vote for the candidate they wish to represent their registered party.

Here's what Santa Rosa County voters need to know ahead of the Florida primary election on Aug. 20.

How does President Biden's dropping out of the race affect the Florida ballot?

Democrats were thrown a curve ball Sunday after President Joe Biden announced that he was ending his reelection bid. Less than 24 hours after his announcement, his running mate, Vice President Kamala Harris, procured enough of Florida's Democratic delegation to secure her place on Florida's ballot.

Harris will likely win enough Democratic delegates to become her party's nominee when the Democratic National Convention convenes next month.

How to see who is on your ballot?

Seeing who will be on your ballot couldn't be easier. Head over to Santa Rosa County's sample ballots web tool website. Provide your first name, last name, date of birth and check the two verification boxes.

From here, you'll be shown all of the information you need to know to vote during the 2024 Florida primary election, including important dates, where your polling location is, request a mail ballot, request a registration update (the deadline for the primary election has passed) and a look at a sample ballot.

Clicking "view Sample Ballot" will bring up a PDF file of a sample ballot where you can see who you are eligible to vote for.

How to change your voter registration

The deadline to change your voter registration passed on Monday. Changes in party affiliation must be submitted 29 days before a primary election. You can still update other pieces of information, such as your address on file.

It's also recommended that you update your signature on file periodically, as it can change over time and potentially lead to ballot issues.

What type of ID can you bring to vote?

Florida allows 12 methods of ID that can be used to vote. To vote in person, you must bring a current and valid photo ID with a signature.

• Florida driver's license

• Florida identification card issued by the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles

• United States passport

• Debit or credit card

• Military identification

• Student identification

• Retirement center identification

• Neighborhood association identification

• Public assistance identification

• Veteran health identification card issued by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs

• License to carry a concealed weapon or firearm issued pursuant to s. 790.06

• Employee identification card issued by any branch, department, agency, or entity of the Federal Government, the state, a county, or a municipality.

Three ways to vote in Florida

There are three ways to vote in Santa Rosa County.

Early voting: All eligible voters can vote early at multiple locations throughout the county. Early voting begins at least 10 days prior to election day.

Vote-by-mail: You can request a mail-in ballot by visiting VoteSantaRosa.gov. Vote-by-mail ballots must be requested 12 days prior to election day and must be received by 7 p.m. on election day. If you don't think your ballot will arrive by mail in time, you can hand deliver it.

Vote in person: You can always vote at your polling location, which can be found on your voter information card, sample ballot or VoteSantaRosa.gov.

How to find your precinct and polling site to vote

You can find your precinct and polling site by heading over to VoteSantaRosa.gov. Click on the "Find my precinct" button. You'll be taken to a new page where you'll enter your house number and street name.

This information can also be found on your voter information card.

When does early voting start in Santa Rosa County?

Early voting for the 2024 Florida primary election starts on Aug. 5 and ends on Aug. 17. Each location will be open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Early voting for the 2024 presidential election will run from Oct. 21 to Nov. 2. Locations will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Santa Rosa County early voting locations

• Main Elections Office , 6495 Caroline St., Suite F, Milton

• South Service Center, 5841 Gulf Breeze Parkway, Gulf Breeze

• Tiger Point Community Center, 1370 Tiger Park Lane, Gulf Breeze

• Pace Community Center, 5976 Chumuckla Highway, Pace

• Santa Rosa County Auditorium, 4530 Spikes Way, Milton

• Navarre Community Gym, 8840 High School Blvd., Navarre

What time do polls open during the 2024 Florida primary election?

Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on election day. If you're still in line to vote at 7 p.m., you will still be allowed to cast your vote.

What to expect when voting in person?

Never voted in person? No problem, here's what to expect in Santa Rosa County:

• You'll enter the polling location.

• Present your identification using one of the options above. The election worker will use this to find your information.

• Once your identification has been confirmed, your signature will be verified against the ID provided using the signature pad.

• You'll then receive a ballot and a secrecy sleeve.

• Take both of those into the privacy booth or a ballot-marking device.

• Mark and review your selections before taking your ballot to the tabulator.

• Enter your ballot into the tabulator. This is the part where you get your "I Voted" sticker.

If you need any assistance, don't hesitate to ask any of the election workers on site.

This article originally appeared on Pensacola News Journal: 2024 primary election: Santa Rosa County voters guide