The Florida Legislature mandated that all Florida voters use paper ballots with optical scan voting systems, effective July 1, 2008. Pinellas County purchased the Election Systems & Software voting system, which was first used countywide for the August 26, 2008 Primary Election. Prior to that, the system was used for St. Pete Beach municipal elections on March 11 and June 3, 2008.
- All voters now use paper ballots, whether voting by mail, early or at the precinct on Election Day
- The DS 300 Ballot Scanner processes paper ballots in each precinct and early voting location
- ExpressVote ballot-marking devices are available to allow voters with special needs or disabilities to mark a paper ballot privately and independently
- Sign up for ballots by mail: Why stand in line for the same ballot you can have mailed to your home?
View a step-by-step VIDEO: What to Expect at the Polling Place
View Photo Page: What to Expect at the Polling Place
(Step-by-Step Voter Guide)
Frequently Asked Questions: Optical Scanner