Tampa Bay Early Voting 2016: Find Out Where to Vote in Your County

LAND O’ LAKES, FL — Tampa Bay area residents who want to get a jump on having their say in the Nov. 8 election will find early voting is well under way in most counties across the region. The polls opened bright and early Monday, Oct. 24 in Hillsborough, Sarasota, Polk, Pinellas and Manatee counties. Pasco County voters had their polls open Oct. 29.

Early voting provides registered voters an opportunity to beat long Election Day lines. While counties across the state don’t open every precinct to accommodate early voters, most do provide a lengthy list of places ballots can be cast.

In order to take part in early voting, people casting ballots must have registered on or before Oct. 18, 2016. Voters should bring a current and valid photo and signature ID with them to the polls. Acceptable forms of identification include, but are not limited to, a Florida driver’s license or state identification card, public assistance ID, military ID and concealed weapons license.

Here's a county-by-county breakdown of information on early voting:

Pasco County

Early voting here began Oct. 29 and runs through Saturday, Nov. 5. The polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. throughout the period.

• To find out more, read: Pasco County Early Voting 2016: Where to Cast Your Ballot

Manatee County

Early voting polls opened here on Oct. 24 and will remain open through Nov. 5. Polls are open 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. Oct. 24-Oct. 30 and from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Oct. 31 until Nov. 5.

• To find out more, read: Manatee County Early Voting 2016: Where to Cast Your Ballot

Hillsborough County

Early voting began here on Monday, Oct. 24 and runs through Sunday, Nov. 6. Polling places are open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily.

• To find out more, read: Hillsborough County Early Voting 2016: Where to Cast Your Ballot

Pinellas County

Voters in this county also found polls open to them on Oct. 24. Early voting runs through Nov. 6. Polls are open daily from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

• To find out more, read: Pinellas County Early Voting 2016: Where to Cast Your Ballot

Sarasota County

Sarasota County opened its polls on Oct. 24. Voters here can cast early ballots between 8:30 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. daily through Nov. 5.

• To find out more, read: Sarasota County Early Voting 2016: Where to Cast Your Ballot

Polk County

Polk County early voting began Oct. 24 and runs through Nov. 6. Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily.

• To find out more, read: Polk County Early Voting 2016: Where to Cast Your Ballot

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