Voter Registration Drives

Since the implementation of the National Voter Registration Act of 1993 a Deputy Registrar is no longer needed to officially swear in a person registering to vote. Consequently, the number of organizations involved in the process of registering new voters has significantly increased. The Supervisor of Elections office is eager to assist those who wish to conduct a voter registration drive by providing the knowledge necessary to have a successful event. Upon request, this office will provide training and an array of materials to support your volunteer efforts.

Groups and organizations may request more information by e-mail or by calling the Voter Education & Public Information Division at:
(386) 254-4690 (Daytona Beach Area)
(386) 736-5930 (West Volusia Area)
(386) 423-3311 (New Smyrna Beach Area)
(386) 574-0598 ext. 5930 (Deltona/Osteen Area)

When conducting a Voter Registration Drive, please be aware of the laws concerning voter registration in Florida:

A person may become a registered voter only if that person:

1. Is at least 18 years of age;
2. Is a citizen of the United States;
3. Is a legal resident of the State of Florida;
4. Is a legal resident of the county in which that person seeks to be registered; and
5. Registers pursuant to the Florida Election Code.
   (A person who is otherwise qualified may pre-register on or after that person’s 17th birthday and may vote in any election occurring on or after that person’s 18th birthday.)

NOTE: The following persons, who might be otherwise qualified, are not entitled to register or vote:

1. A person who has been adjudicated mentally incapacitated with respect to voting in this or any other state and who has not had his or her right to vote restored pursuant to law.
2. A person who has been convicted of any felony by any court of record and who has not had his or her right to vote restored pursuant to law.

Responsibilities of a Registration Drive Leader:

• Florida law states a third-party voter registration organization that collects voter registration applications serves as a trustee to the applicant, ensuring that any voter registration applications given to the third-party voter registration organization, irrespective of party affiliation, race, ethnicity, or gender shall be promptly delivered to the Supervisor of Elections office, Attn: Voter Education. Completed applications cannot be faxed as an original signature from the voter is required in order to process the application.
• When applications are completed, pay extra attention to the shaded boxes; these are required fields of the application and must be completed for the registration to be valid. Once it has been determined the application meets all qualifications, a voter information card will be mailed.  It is advantageous to review completed applications before the voter has left your presence to ensure all required fields have been completed. Incomplete applications can cause delays in the registrant's application process, thus missing registration deadlines that could potentially affect voter eligibility on Election Day.
• In Florida, a voter cannot vote in a party primary unless they are registered with that party. To choose or change party affiliation, a voter must do so at least 29 days before an election.
• Deadline: Volusia County residents must be registered to vote at least 29 days before an election to be eligible to vote in that election. Applications that are delivered in person must be received in our office or any Volusia County public library by the day registration closes; if mailed, the applications must be postmarked at least 29 days before the election.

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