Voter registration deadline: the first step to getting ready for November

Kim A. Barton
·4 min read

Gator football is here, and the weather is slowly starting to cool down, so fall has official arrived. It’s time for Alachua County voters to begin preparing for the general election. Your first step should be to check on your voter registration status.  

Make sure you are registered to vote!

The voter registration deadline for the general election is Tuesday, Oct. 11. If you are not registered to vote by Oct. 11, you will not be able to vote in the general election.

Another opinion: Supervisor of Elections and her staff are hard-working, competent

News story: Supervisor Barton responds to criticism of office

More commentary: Local elections show the process should be trusted

A Florida voter fills out his ballot.
A Florida voter fills out his ballot.

You can make updates to your voter registration status at any time, including updates to your address. However, we encourage you to do so as soon as possible so that you will know where your polling place is before Election Day, and you can avoid delays when you go to vote.

Visit VoteAlachua.gov to check on your registration status now; don’t wait. Select the “My Registration Status” button and enter in your first and last name and date of birth on the next page.

The following page will provide you with all the information available on your voter information card. You will also be able to see if you have an existing request for vote-by-mail ballots with our office, and closer to Election Day, you will be able to view your sample ballot.

You can also call our office during our normal business hours (8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday) at 352-374-5252 to find out where your assigned polling place is and other information about the general election.

Students register to vote at an event held at the University of Florida.
Students register to vote at an event held at the University of Florida.

Lastly, look at your new information card. Prior to the primary election, our office mailed all registered Alachua County voters new voter information cards. Those cards list the name and address we have on file for you, and your party affiliation, date of birth, assigned precinct and voting districts.

It is important that you review the voter information card that was sent to all voters in June due to redistricting. Your assigned polling place and voting district may have changed. If you can’t find your voter information card, give our office a call or stop by during our normal business hours and we can provide you with a new one.

Spread the word: the registration deadline is approaching.

We want to encourage all Alachua County voters to spread the word about the voter registration deadline and how important it is to be registered and to vote in the upcoming general election. Make sure you remind your friends, family and members of your community about the deadline and how to register to vote.

Our office has plenty of educational materials with information about registering to vote, voting and the upcoming election. Give us a call at 352-374-5252 and we would be happy to provide you with some materials for events.

Be election ready! Reach out to us with any questions.

Finally, I want to encourage you to reach out to our office if you have any questions about voting, registering to vote and the upcoming general election. Our staff is knowledgeable, dedicated and here to assist you. We want to make sure everyone has the opportunity to make their voice heard.

I hope everyone enjoys the cooler weather and all that our beautiful county has to offer this fall. And, as always, remember to vote, Alachua County!

Kim A. Barton is Alachua County supervisor of elections. 

Join the conversation

Letters to the editor present the opinions of readers on news stories and other pieces published by The Sun. Share your opinions by sending a letter to the editor (up to 200 words) to letters@gainesville.com. Letters must include the writer's full name and city of residence. Additional guidelines for submitting letters and longer guest columns can be found at bit.ly/sunopinionguidelines.


Journalism matters. Your support matters.

Get a digital subscription to the Gainesville Sun. Includes must-see content on Gainesville.com and Gatorsports.com, breaking news and updates on all your devices, and access to the eEdition. Visit www.gainesville.com/subscribenow to sign up.

This article originally appeared on The Gainesville Sun: Kim A. Barton: Oct. 11 deadline to register to vote for Florida voters