The 2026 Election
This year, all 120 seats in the State House and 20 of the 40 seats in the State Senate are up for election. Florida voters will also weigh in on key federal races, including a U.S. Senate seat and all 28 of the state’s U.S. House of Representatives seats, alongside the race for Governor and the entire Florida Cabinet. Participating in the election means you make a decision about who will represent your community for the next few years: these state-level leaders, in turn, will make decisions on eligibility and funding for projects and initiatives that you care about.
As parents, early learning providers, educators, and advocates, we all have the power to make our voices heard on early childhood issues and elect leaders who will implement the recommendations put forward in Florida’s Early Learning Roadmap.
Register to Vote by July 20
Everyone who votes gets a say in what kind of future they want for their community, their district, and the state of Florida. To vote in Florida's primary, make sure you've registered by vote by July 20, 2026. To vote in the general election, make sure you've registered by October 5, 2026.
Primary: Vote on August 18th
On this day, you’ll help narrow the field for the State House and Senate. Because Florida is a closed primary state, you’ll typically vote for candidates within your registered party to decide who moves on to the general election. This is your chance to ensure the candidates who value early learning make it to the final ballot! Early voting is available between August 8th and August 15th, but your county Supervisor of Elections may offer additional early voting days.
General Election: Tuesday, November 3
On this day, you can vote for anyone on the ballot, Republican, Democrat, or Independent. This is where you’ll select who actually goes to the State House and Senate to represent your district and tackle the early learning issues you care about.
Early Voting
Early voting is available between October 24th and October 31st, but your county Supervisor of Elections may offer additional early voting days.
Voting by Mail
- To request a mail-in ballot, you must submit a request to your county Supervisor of Elections either by mail, email, in person, or over the phone at least 12 days before the date of the election in which you plan to vote.
- For your ballot to be counted, it must arrive by mail before 7 pm on election day or be put in a designated drop box at an early voting site or at the Supervisor of Elections’ office.
Engaging in the Conversation
Ask Your Candidates
If you have a chance to engage with candidates running for local office, here are key questions you might ask:
- What do you think are the biggest issues for families with young children, and how would you address them?
- What would you do to improve maternal and infant health in Florida?
- What would you propose to increase access to high-quality, affordable child care options for families?
Most importantly, share your personal story. When our elected leaders understand more about the lives of their constituents, they can make better decisions.
Finding your Elected Officials
If you're not sure who currently represents you in the State House and Senate, you can find those officials here.