TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL) — It's a big election year, but time is running out to register to vote in the primaries.
The Presidential Preference Primary Election is March 17. But you can't vote if you aren't registered as a Democrat or Republican.
Anyone not registered to vote or needs to make a political party change before this election must do so before 11:59 p.m. Tuesday.
You can register by filling out information online, mailing your information, or filling out the registration form at the Elections Office before they close on Tuesday.
If you're not a member of those two parties, there will not be a ballot for you to vote on for this election.
Colleges in the Big Bend, like Tallahassee Community College, are doing their part to keep students informed about the deadline and giving them opportunities to register without leaving campus.
"I love it," said Lindsey Phillips, a student at TCC." A lot of people don't have time or the transportation to get to wherever else they need to be. So I think it's a good idea and it will get a lot more people to register."
What happens if you miss tomorrow's deadline?
"They will be able to register for the fall elections," said Chris Moore, the Deputy Supervisor of Elections in Leon County. "If they're registered in another Florida county it's a simple address change to Leon County. That deadline is for newly registered voters in Florida, and the deadline for party changes."
For everyone else who's eligible to vote, the county will be sending out an election guide to keep people informed and ready.
"We have an election guide that's gonna be mailed out to voters by the end of next week," said Moore. "That election guide will go to anyone that is eligible for this election for presidential preference. It will have information about the IDs that are required, and any deadlines. It'll have our early voting locations, and information about our voting equipment. So be looking for the election guide if you're eligible to vote for this election. "
If you can't step away from work or school to register to vote, no worries.
The Leon County Supervisor of Elections Office plans to extend its hours Tuesday, which is the last day to register to vote in Florida's presidential primary.
The Elections Office on Apalachee Parkway will stay open until 8 p.m. to accommodate last-minute registrations.
