The 2018 Primary Election is held 10 weeks before the General Election. In the Primary Election, voters registered with one of Florida’s political parties express their preference for the candidates they would like to see representing their party on the General Election ballot in November. In addition, all voters, regardless of party affiliation, may vote in nonpartisan races on the ballot (such as school boards).

Florida is a closed primary state. Only voters who are registered members of political parties may vote for respective candidates for an office in a primary election.

However, there are times when all registered voters can vote in a primary election, regardless of which political party they are registered with or even if they are registered without party affiliation:

1. If all the candidates for an office have the same party affiliation and the winner of the primary election will not face any opposition in the general election, then all registered voters can vote for any of the candidates for that office in the primary election.
2. If races for nonpartisan (i.e. free from party affiliation) judicial and school board offices, nonpartisan special districts or referendum questions are on the primary election ballot, then all registered voters, including those without party affiliation are entitled to vote those races on the ballot.