Election 2026
Want to Vote by Mail? Request Your Ballot by 5 p.m. Thursday
Mail ballot requests are due by 5 p.m. on Thursday, October 22.
If you want to vote from home in the November 3 election, time is almost up. Miami-Dade voters must request a vote-by-mail ballot by 5:00 p.m. on Thursday, October 22. Here is how to get your request in, and how to make sure your ballot counts.
Request your ballot: by 5:00 p.m. Thursday, October 22. Return your ballot: it must be received by 7:00 p.m. on Election Day, Tuesday, November 3. Postmarks don't count. Missed the request deadline? Vote early through Sunday, November 1, or at your polling place on November 3.
How to request your ballot
You can request a vote-by-mail ballot through the Miami-Dade County Elections Department online, by phone, by mail, or in person. Have your name, address, and date of birth ready, along with your Florida driver license number, Florida ID number, or the last four digits of your Social Security number.
Check whether you already have a request on file
Under Florida law, vote-by-mail requests must be renewed each election cycle. If you voted by mail in a past election, your request may have expired. Check your voter information with the Elections Department before the deadline.
How to return it
By mail
Mail it back as early as you can. Your ballot must be received, not just postmarked, by 7:00 p.m. on November 3. Make sure you sign the return envelope, since a missing or mismatched signature can delay your ballot.
In person
You can drop off your completed ballot at any Miami-Dade early voting site during early voting hours, including North Dade Regional Library in Miami Gardens. See our early voting guide for nearby sites.
Track your ballot
After you return your ballot, you can check its status through the Elections Department to confirm it was received and counted. If there is a problem with your signature, you may be able to fix it with a cure affidavit before the deadline, so check early.
Before you fill it out, read our Miami Gardens voter guide and our Amendment 3 explainer.
Frequently asked questions
What is the deadline to request a vote-by-mail ballot in Miami-Dade for November 2026?
The deadline to request a vote-by-mail ballot for the November 3, 2026, election is 5:00 p.m. on Thursday, October 22, 2026.
When must my mail ballot be returned?
Your completed mail ballot must be received by the Miami-Dade Elections Department by 7:00 p.m. on Election Day, November 3, 2026. Postmarks do not count.
Can I drop off my mail ballot in person?
Yes. You can drop off your completed mail ballot at any Miami-Dade early voting site during early voting hours.
Do I need to renew my vote-by-mail request?
Yes. Under Florida law, vote-by-mail requests must be renewed each election cycle. Check your status with the Miami-Dade Elections Department.
Election information is from the Miami-Dade County Elections Department and Florida law as of October 21, 2026. Confirm details with the Elections Department. MiamiGardens.com does not endorse candidates or ballot measures. Published: October 21, 2026.
