(Mini) Florida Labor Letter – Prepare to Early Vote!(Week of 10/16)

Daniel Diaz |

Welcome to another edition of the Florida AFL-CIO’s weekly Florida Labor Letter for the week of 10/16. We arrive on the other side of Hurricane Isaias, which charged through Northwest Florida last weekend and through which recovery efforts continue (to the frustrated reception of some citizens). We continue to advise taking advantage of the resources listed in our previous Labor Letter for those in need or looking to lend a hand. Elsewhere in the state, preparations have begun for early voting, which begins in earnest next week! As such, this shortened edition will be all business as we prep to turn out for our Democratic Republic!

🗳️Electoral News

All You Need to Know About Early Voting

Photo Credit: AP Photo/Lynne Sladky

It’s almost time! At long last, Florida voters can begin heading to the polls as soon as Monday, Oct. 19 in some counties (see below for a breakdown) to choose a new governor, decide congressional and local races, and weigh three proposed changes to the state constitution. As such, we wanted to make sure you had a comprehensive list of must knows before you head out:

When and How to Vote Early: By Mail

Over the last 2 weeks, mail-in ballots have gone out to voters across the state of Florida, eager to be filled and properly returned when Early Voting kicks off next week. If you were expecting a mail ballot and it has not yet arrived, you may re-request one from your county’s Supervisor of Elections by no later than 5pm on October 22nd per state law.

From that point forward, a returned and filled mail-in ballot must be received, regardless of postmark, by the Supervisor of Elections’ office no later than 7:00 pm (local time) on Election Day. Courtesy the hard work, efficiency, and dedication of our letter carriers and postal workers, we of course encourage you to return your ballot by mail via the U.S Postal Service and its union workforce to ensure its safe and timely delivery!

When and How to Vote Early: By County

As you’ve likely seen in our important dates section, the state of Florida requires early voting be made available in every county during the mandatory period of October 24th-31st.

That said, some Florida counties opt to add additional early voting days, especially in our larger communities, starting as soon as next Monday, October 19th. Our teachers over at the Florida Education Association were well prepared, as they always are for coming due dates, and put together this lovely graphic detailing each county’s voting dates, which you can find and support on their Facebook Page. Thank you to our teachers!

What to Bring to Vote:

Per the Florida Divisions of Elections:

Whether voting during early voting or on Election Day, you must bring a current and valid photo ID with signature. Any one of the following photo IDs will be accepted:

  • Florida driver license
  • Florida identification card issued by the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles
  • United States passport
  • Debit or credit card
  • Military identification
  • Student identification
  • Retirement center identification
  • Neighborhood association identification
  • Public assistance identification
  • Veteran health identification card issued by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs
  • License to carry a concealed weapon or firearm issued pursuant to s. 790.06
  • Employee identification card issued by any branch, department, agency, or entity of the Federal Government, the state, a county, or a municipality.

If your photo ID does not include your signature, you will be asked to provide another ID that has your signature.

Wait, What about the Recent Election Law that passed? What was it called, HB 991?

Former Rep. Persons-Mulicka was appointed Lee County Supervisor of Elections for her hard work in passing new draconian restrictions on our future ability to vote.

Good memory dear reader. Yes, earlier this year the Legislature passed a Florida version of the nationally failed SAVE Act, seeking to disenfranchise Florida Voters of their right to hold their elected officials accountable. Thankfully, despite the Legislature’s best attempts to upend voter rolls just months before an important election, you should know that these new requirements will not be in place for or impact the 2026 elections, with the bill having been amended before final passage to take effect next year in 2027.

Finally: Know Your Rights!

Don’t let the success of some bills get it twisted this election. As a Voter and Citizen, YOU HAVE RIGHTS! This extends to voting as much as anywhere else, so best to know ahead of time what they are.

While election laws are set at the state and local jurisdiction, there are federal laws that provide all of us with rights and protections as we vote. These are just baseline laws; in fact, Florida has additional protections, such as those for Felons seeking the restoration of their right to vote, which you can familiarize yourself with here. Otherwise, Here are your basic protections:

  1. No Intimidation: You have the right to vote and register to vote without intimidation.
  2. Stay In Line: You have the right to vote if you are in line when the polling place closes. (To avoid any risk of this one, make sure to take advantage of the flexible opportunity that early voting dates provide!)
  3. Ask for Help: You have the right to ask for a new ballot if you make a mistake. Make the right vote, not a rushed one!
  4. Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA): You have the right to ask for an accommodation if you are disabled.
  5. Right to Privacy: You have the right to vote privately and independently.

If you have problems voting, whether for you or others, Call 866-OUR VOTE (866-687-8683) or visit 866ourvote.org to speak with a trained Election Protection Volunteer.

Finally, treat your local election staff and supervisors kindly. Voting is a sacred and important part of maintaining and improving our nation at large, and its ability to do so starts with you and the people who make it happen every day. Let’s get voting!

🗓️On the Horizon

The closer we get to November, the more and more opportunities we have to make a difference in our communities. We are putting on events to make sure you are not just making a plan to vote, but are well equipped to spread the word on our Labor 2026 slate of candidates and more. As always, staying tuned to our FL AFL-CIO Mobilize to allows you to see the latest ways you can get involved in local actions, canvassing efforts, and more! See below for some important dates and visit Mobilize for the full list and breakdown!

  • Statewide
    • Important GENERAL Election Dates!
      • The primaries are over! On to the general! Wherever you are on the aisle, you should know these important election dates from the Florida Division of Elections:
        • Deadline to send vote-by-mail ballots to UOCAVA voters: September 19, 2026
        • Deadline to send vote-by-mail ballots to domestic voters:  September 24 2026 – October 1, 2026
        • Deadline to register to vote:  October 5, 2026
        • Deadline to request that ballot be mailed: October 22, 2026 <– YOU ARE HERE
        • Early voting period (mandatory period):  October 24 – 31, 2026
        • Election Day:  November 3, 2026
  • Digital
    • (EVERY WEEK) Tuesday – Thursday: Virtual Phone Bank for Labor Endorsed Candidates + No on 3
      • Join us calling union members and their families to learn about the issues they’re facing in an increasingly costly state and educate them about the pro-working-family candidates that the Florida’s unions have endorsed in November. With shifts available every Tuesday-Thursday and no prior experience required, this is an excellent and easily accessible way to get involved no matter where you are in the state.
      • All you need is a phone, laptop, computer, or tablet! Click the link above to sign up!
    • October 19th: Labor 2026 All Hands on Deck @ 6:00PM
      • Every Monday from now until November, join your FL AFL-CIO family for a Labor 2026 All Hands on Deck call. Receive the latest updates from the campaign front lines, share in victories and stories, as well as hear from some of our Labor Endorsed Candidates about your direct impact on their campaign! Next Week’s meeting will feature John Lowndes, our endorsed candidate for Senate District 14! Join by attending the meeting via this zoom link.
    • First Monday of every Month: FLARA Monthly Meetings
      • The Florida Alliance of Retired Americans (FLARA) invites any and all to attend their monthly zoom meetings. FLARA meets on the first Friday of every month at 10 AM EST, and features guest speakers and relevant information for retirees from national and state governments as well as important information on demonstrations, partner activities, etc.
      • Those interested in attending FLARA meetings should contact tammy@flara.org in order to get the monthly invitation.
  • Regional (By CLC)

🛠️Business Board

Labor Votes Election Trainings from the National AFL-CIO

ELECTION TRAININGS: You are the tip of our spear! Keep your edge this election as you campaign by continuing your education! Here are some training opportunities provided by the National AFL-CIO to help take action and prepare without leaving your home or office.

Resources to Learn More About Amendment 3!

Amendment 3 is one of the most important issues on the November Ballot, with stakes both actually and unfortunately as high as the fate of our local government’s ability to provide basic public services and jobs. That is why the Florida AFL-CIO has partnered with a numbered of organizations in joining the bipartisan Save our Services Coalition against this dangerous amendment.

With an issue as complex as property taxes, it can get a bit confusing, and the way the amendment is written does no favors to Florida’s voters, which is why education on the issue matters most. Resources to learn more about Amendment 3 and it’s impacts, like the above report on how the amendment would eliminate jobs can be found on sosfl.org.

That concludes this week’s roundup! Stay safe this weekend and thank you for reading. As always, In Solidarity!

Got any tips, actions, or messages you’d like to see in this email?

Please email Daniel Diaz at ddiaz@flaflcio.org

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