Live Tallahassee election updates: Florida voters head to polls for GOP presidential primary

James Call, Tallahassee Democrat

Today is the Florida presidential preference primary election, when voters across Florida head to the polls to vote for the presidential candidate they want to represent their party in the November General Election.

There is only one contest on the ballot for most Florida voters, including Leon County voters: the Republican presidential primary. And Donald Trump has already clinched the nomination after all other candidates dropped out or suspended their campaigns. But analysts say Tuesday night's results could offer clues on just how much of a lock Trump has on the party faithful.

This is your place for updates throughout the day as voters cast ballots and once results roll in after polls close at 7 and 8 p.m. EST.

As voting in Leon County begins, 13% of Republicans have voted statewide

When the polls open on Tuesday morning, more than 748,000 voters (about half the population of Idaho) had already cast a ballot in the Florida Presidential Preference Primary.

Lee County appears to lead in voter participation, with more than 46,000 vote-by-mail and early-vote ballots already in – that's about 20% of the total eligible voters in a county considered a Republican stronghold.

Unofficial returns show about 17% of voters in Sarasota County, 14% in Leon and 10% in Orange voted before Tuesday.

About 13% of registered Republicans statewide have voted.

Leon County residents cast their ballots at the Sue McCollum Community Center for the midterm elections on Tuesday, Nov. 8, 2022.
Leon County residents cast their ballots at the Sue McCollum Community Center for the midterm elections on Tuesday, Nov. 8, 2022.

Why is there no Democratic Primary?

The primary election is a little different for Florida voters due to its closed primaries. This means voters can only vote for a candidate to represent the party they are registered with.

In other words, if you’re a registered independent, you can’t vote for a Republican or Democratic candidate, and likewise, if you’re registered with another party, you are unable to vote for a candidate outside of that party.

The Florida Democratic Party nominated Joseph R. Biden Jr. in late 2023 as its only candidate and chose him for this November's ballot, which bypassed the presidential preference ballot for voters registered with the Democratic Party. Longshot candidates criticized the decision.

That leaves the Republican contest, and all candidates except former President Donald Trump have withdrawn from the race.

Party officials expect a smooth election with a higher turnout down state where municipalities in nine counties are holding local elections.

Where you can vote and what you need to vote?

Polls open at 7 a.m. in Leon County and will remain open until 7 p.m. local time. Ten Panhandle counties observe Central Standard Time and open and close an hour later than the rest of the state. If you are in line when the polls close you will be allowed to vote.

You must vote at the polling location listed on your voter registration card. Leon County voters can find their polling place here. Registered voters can also cast a ballot at the Leon County Election Center on Apalachee Parkway.

Florida requires an ID to vote in person, such as a Florida Driver License or ID card issued by the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles. A United States Passport can also be used. A list of accepted forms of identification can be found here.

How to check if you're registered to vote in Florida

Checking your voter registration status in Florida is an easy process. Here’s how to do it:

  • Visit the Department of State website

  • Enter your first and last name and your birthday

  • Accept the terms of service by checking the option that says you “understand and agree”

  • Submit your information

VOTING: the activity of choosing someone or something in an election.
VOTING: the activity of choosing someone or something in an election.

After submitting your information, you’ll see a form that provides your voter registration information. At the bottom, you’ll see your registration status, which will say either active or inactive.

Key dates for the elections on the horizon

Primary election

  • Initial ballot mail-out to military and overseas voters: July 6

  • Initial ballot mail-out to domestic voters: July 11 – 18

  • Deadline to register to vote: July 22

  • Deadline to request mail-in ballot: August 8

  • Early voting period (mandatory period): Aug. 10 – 17

  • Deadline to request that ballot be mailed: Aug. 8

  • Election Day: Aug. 20

General election key dates

  • Initial ballot mail-out to military and overseas voters: Sept. 21

  • Initial ballot mail-out to domestic voters: Sept. 26 – Oct. 3

  • Deadline to register to vote: Oct. 7

  • Deadline to request that ballot be mailed: Oct. 24

  • Early voting period (mandatory period): Oct. 26 – Nov. 2

  • Election Day: Nov. 5

In the coming months, the Tallahassee Democrat and USA TODAY NETWORK-Florida will be producing national, state and local voter guides for the Aug. 20 primary and Nov. 5 general election. Find you guide to the Presidential Preference Primary here.

2024 Elections: Your guide to the 2024 elections

James Call is a member of the USA TODAY NETWORK-Florida Capital Bureau. He can be reached at jcall@tallahassee.com and is on X as @CallTallahassee.

This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Live election 2024 updates: Trump the only Leon County candidate

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