To help you dig into the issues and vote with confidence, we present a collection of links to debates, Q&As and information about the races and candidates on the Aug. 18 ballot.
Important dates to know
Candidate debate replays
(The Tallahassee Democrat conducts a series of livestreamed candidate forums in partnership with the League of Women Voters and the Capital Region News Collaborative, which is powered by Press Forward North Florida, an initiative of the Community Foundation of North Florida. The media collaborative includes the Tallahassee Democrat, WFSU, WCTV, WTXL, the Capital Outlook and Tallahassee Reports. Click on the links below or visit our YouTube Page primary playlist to watch a free replay of each of the candidate forums.)
2026 primary election guide
The Democrat also puts together a voter guide for subscribers that puts the candidates head-to-head on the issues. Almost every race that may appear on your ballot is covered.
Access the print/e-edition version of our election guide
Our print election guide appeared in the newspaper in the Aug. 2 and Aug. 3 editions. Click here to access a replica edition.
More election coverage
Early voting dates, times, places
Early voting runs Saturday, Aug. 8, through Sunday, Aug. 16, at 10 locations in Leon County. Leon County voters can cast ballots at any of the sites regardless of their precinct.
What to know about Vote-by-Mail
All vote-by-mail ballots expire at the end of each election year because of changes in Florida law. That means voters who requested a ballot in 2024 must against request a ballot this year to receive one for the primary and general elections, Earley’s office said.
The deadline to request a vote-by-mail ballot was Aug. 6. Voters can call the elections office at 850-606-8683 for more details.
Vote-by-Mail ballots must be in the hands of the Supervisor of Elections Office by 7 p.m. on Election Day, Aug. 18, for them to count.
The U.S. Postal Service recommends people mail their Vote-by-Mail ballots back to the Supervisor of Elections at least one week before Election Day. Like in 2024, the elections office is covering the cost of postage for return envelopes, which means voters don’t have to worry about stamps.
Voters can also drop Vote-by-Mail ballots off at drop boxes (now known as Secure Ballot Intake Stations) during voting hours at any of the early voting locations or the elections office on Apalachee Parkway during regular business hours.
Election Day voting hours and ID requirements
Polls are open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Election Day, Tuesday, Aug. 18. Voters can find their voting location on their Voter Information Card or by visiting LeonVotes.gov or calling the elections office at 850-606-VOTE (8683).
Voters must present a current physical address and a valid photo ID when voting in person. The ID must come from the following list: Florida driver’s license, Florida identification card, U.S. passport, debit or credit card, military ID, student ID, retirement center ID, neighborhood association ID, public assistance ID, U.S. veteran health ID, concealed weapon/firearm license, employee ID issued by local, state or federal government agency. Voters who don’t bring ID can still vote with a provisional ballot.
Contact Jeff Burlew at jburlew@tallahassee.com or 850-599-2180.
This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: The ultimate Tallahassee voter guide to the 2026 primary election
Reporting by Staff Reports, Tallahassee Democrat / Tallahassee Democrat
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Staff Reports, Tallahassee Democrat | USA TODAY Network
