How to vote by mail in Florida for the 2026 midterm elections and who is eligible

Florida voters who want to cast their ballots by mail in the Nov. 3, 2026, midterm elections can do so without providing a reason, but they must request their ballots by a specific deadline.Under Florida law, any registered voter can request a vote-by-mail ballot, also known as an absentee ballot, whether they are traveling, unable to visit a polling place or simply prefer voting from home.The deadline to request that a mail-in ballot be sent to a voter for the November election is Thursday, Oct. 22, at 5 p.m. Completed ballots must generally be received by election officials no later than 7 p.m. on Election Day.Here's what Florida voters need to know about eligibility, requesting a ballot and returning it on time.Who is eligible to vote by mail in Florida?Any registered Florida voter is eligible to request a vote-by-mail ballot. Unlike states that restrict absentee voting to certain groups, Florida does not require voters to provide an excuse.That means voters can request a mail-in ba