PRESS RELEASE: Florida Department of State Announces Special Election Dates for Vacated Florida Congressional District

Tallahassee –

Today, Governor Ron DeSantis issued Executive Order 24‑262, which sets the dates for the Special Election for Florida’s First Congressional District, a district that represents Escambia, Santa Rosa and Okaloosa Counties, and a portion of Walton County. The dates for the Special Primary Election will be held on Tuesday, January 28, 2025, and the Special General Election will be held on Tuesday, April 1, 2025.

“At Governor Ron DeSantis’ direction, this Special Election is being conducted as quickly as statutorily possible,” said Florida Secretary of State Cord Byrd. “We are committed to ensuring this election is held as soon as we are allowed to hold it by state law.”

Special elections are governed by federal and state laws that provide specific dates and deadlines for local election officials to conduct the elections. State law lays out specific requirements for an election that include minimum periods of time for qualifying, primaries, mail and early voting, and general elections. The timeline for conducting a special election follows the timeline applicable for general elections. See § 100.191, Florida Statutes. The timeline below includes important dates for the Special Election for Florida Congressional District 1. Visit dos.fl.gov/elections for more information.

Timeline

11/22/2024      Governor issues Executive Order 24-262

11/24/2024      Advertisement of Notice of Election

At least 10 days before Qualifying. (See § 100.141, Florida Statutes)

11/25/2024      Last day to submit notice of resignation

No later than 10 days before first day of Qualifying. (See § 99.012, Florida Statutes)

12/5-6/2024    Qualifying Period

One and one-half days starting at 8:00a.m. on the first day and ending at noon on the second day. (See § 100.111(2)(a), Florida Statutes)

12/14/2024      Vote-By-Mail Ballots Sent to Absent Stateside and Overseas Military and U.S. Civilians

Begins 45 days before an election (See § 101.62, Florida Statutes; 52 U.S.C. §§ 20301–20311, Uniformed and Overseas Citizens and Absentee Voting Act)

12/19/2024      Vote-By-Mail Ballots Sent to Domestic Voters

Seven-day window starts 40 days and ends 33 days before an election. (See § 101.62, Florida Statutes)

12/30/2024      Book Closing for Special Primary

1/18-25/2025  Early Voting

Eight-day mandatory window starts 10 days before an election and ending the Saturday before election day. (See § 101.657, Florida Statutes)

1/28/2025        Special Primary Election Day

2/11/2025        Deadline for Elections Canvassing Commission to certify results of Special Primary Election

14 days after Special Primary (See §§ 100.191 and 102.111(2), Florida Statutes)

2/15/2025        Vote-By-Mail Ballots Sent to Absent Stateside and Overseas Military and U.S. Civilians

Begins 45 days before an election (See § 101.62, Florida Statutes; 52 U.S.C. §§ 20301–20311, Uniformed and Overseas Citizens and Absentee Voting Act)

2/20/2025        Vote-By-Mail Ballots Sent to Domestic Voters

Seven-day window starts 40 days and ends 33 days before an election. (See § 101.62, Florida Statutes)

3/3/2025          Book Closing for Special Primary

3/22-29/2025  Early Voting

Eight-day mandatory window starts 10 days before and election and ending the Saturday before election day. (See § 101.657, Florida Statutes)

4/1/2025          Special General Election Day

###

About the Division of Elections

The Florida Department of State’s Division of Elections supports the Secretary of State, Florida’s chief election officer, in ensuring that Florida has fair and accurate elections. The Division’s three bureaus: Bureau of Election Records, Bureau of Voter Registration Services, and Bureau of Voting Systems Certification, have several responsibilities in the areas of legal compliance and elections administration to ensure that Florida’s election laws are uniformly interpreted and implemented. The Division also assists local Supervisors of Elections in their duties and promotes enhanced public awareness and participation in the electoral process. For more information about Florida’s elections, visit dos.fl.gov/elections.