Deadline to register to vote or change political parties | News

Pinellas County, Florida -- The Pinellas County Supervisor of Elections has announced the deadline to register to vote or change your party affiliation for the August 14 Primary Election in July 16.

With Florida being a "closed primary" state, only voters registered with a political party can vote in that party's primary. All registered voters may vote in nonpartisan contests, which include judicial and school board.

A change in election law now requires that address changes from another county that are made at the polls will require the voter to vote a provisional ballot, except for active military voters and their families.

Address changes can be made by calling 464-VOTE (8683) or emailing election@votepinellas.com, with date of birth included. Name and party changes may be made by sending a signed, written statement to the Supervisor of Elections and including date of birth or voter ID number. Any updates, including signatures, can be made by completing and signing a voter registration application and returning it to the Supervisor of Elections. All new applications or party changes received by mail must be postmarked by July 16 in order to be eligible for this election.

Residents may register to vote or update their voter information at any Supervisor of Elections office, public library, driver license office or government office handling social services. Some public libraries have evening and weekend hours.

All Supervisor of Elections offices will be open Saturday, July 14, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.:

• 13001 Starkey Rd. (Starkey Lakes Corporate Center), Largo
• 315 Court St., Room 117 (Courthouse), Clearwater
• 501 1st Ave. N. (5th Street entrance), St. Petersburg

Additional voter registration events are scheduled throughout the county. For an updated event list, visit www.votepinellas.com and select News and Events/Voter Education & Registration Events on the home page menu.

Businesses and organizations may schedule a voter registration event by calling (727) 464-5700 or emailing votered@votepinellas.com.   

To request a ballot by mail or for more information, call (727) 464-VOTE (464-8683) or visit www.votepinellas.com.