Florida Midterm Mail Voting: Broward Lags While Miami-Dade Leads Early Returns
Supervisors of Elections report declining mail ballot usage statewide, with significant variance across South Florida counties ahead of the Nov. 3 general election.
Florida voters have already begun casting their ballots for the 2026 midterm general election, with supervisors of elections reporting that approximately 100,000 Floridians have submitted votes in recent days. As Election Day approaches on November 3, data released by the state Division of Elections reveals a distinct variance in voting behavior across South Florida’s three largest counties: Broward, Miami-Dade, and Palm Beach. While statewide interest in mail-in voting has declined compared to previous cycles, officials emphasize that early returns are still emerging and urge residents to utilize both mail options and in-person early voting.
Voting Trends by County
According to data posted on Friday morning, Broward County is currently trailing the statewide average for mail ballot returns. As of late Thursday evening, 7,263 ballots had been returned out of 146,933 requested in Broward, representing a return rate of just 0.66% of registered voters. In contrast, Miami-Dade County reported that 19,024 ballots were returned from 201,805 requests, equating to 1.47% participation. Palm Beach County fell in between, with 10,115 returns out of 153,456 requested, or 1.15%. Statewide, the Division of Elections recorded that 96,171 ballots had been returned from a pool of roughly two million requests.
Broward County Supervisor of Elections Joe Scott noted earlier this year that he predicted lower mail voting numbers but expressed confidence in an upcoming surge. "We are still very early in the election process," Scott stated on Friday, adding that voters may be taking time to research candidates and ballot questions before making final selections. He confirmed that his office will increase outreach efforts regarding early voting locations, dates, and hours as November approaches.
Impact of Pandemic Habits and Legal Changes
The decline in mail-in voting participation is attributed by officials to a combination of shifting voter habits following the COVID-19 pandemic and recent legislative changes. Scott explained that during the height of the pandemic, many voters turned to mail ballots to avoid congregating at polling places—a trend driven largely by concerns over social distancing among Democratic voters. With public health threats diminished, those specific drivers have receded.
Additionally, Florida law now requires registered voters to request a mail ballot for each two-year election cycle rather than every four years. This change, implemented alongside other reforms after the 2000 presidential election, has altered the ease of access compared to previous cycles. "It has become more difficult to vote by mail in Florida," Scott said, noting that many voters who previously relied on this method now prefer in-person early voting, more context in Florida Sends Out Over 1 Million Mail Ballots for November Election.
Early Voting Logistics and Security
Election officials from all three counties emphasized the security of the current system. At a press conference held at the Broward County Supervisor of Elections Headquarters, supervisors Joe Scott (D), Wendy Sartory Link (D), and Alina Garcia (R) affirmed that Florida’s mail voting infrastructure remains robust. "Your vote-by-mail ballot will be received, and it will be counted," Scott said, citing national recognition of Florida's election standards.
For voters who have not yet submitted a ballot, in-person early voting begins on October 19 and runs through November 1 for the three South Florida counties. Broward County has established 30 early voting sites, while Palm Beach and Miami-Dade each offer 28 locations. Election Day is scheduled for November 3.
