When the Voter Registration Books are Closed
The voter registration books close 29 days before a primary or general election for new registrations and party changes.
The Lee County Elections Office will accept new registrations and updates to voter records, such as party, name, and address changes, during the 29-day period when the registration books are closed for a primary or general election.
Applications submitted during the 29-day book-closing period for new registrations or party changes will only take effect after the election.
For information about updating your voter registration record, click here.
Primary Election
Florida is a closed primary state. In a partisan primary election, only voters who are registered members of a political party with candidates on the primary election ballot are eligible to vote for those candidates.
Voters without a party affiliation cannot vote for party candidates in primary elections, except when:
- All candidates in the same race have the same party affiliation, and the winner of the primary election has no opposition in the general election, known as a Universal Primary Contest
- Nonpartisan offices, such as judicial and school board, appear on the primary election ballot
- Other nonpartisan local offices appear on the primary election ballot
- Referendum questions appear on the primary election ballot
General Election
In a general election, a voter can vote on the candidates and referendums that appear on their ballot, regardless of party affiliation.