Florida Voters Head to Polls Under Federal Monitoring

Federal election monitors are visiting Florida counties as voters cast ballots in the 2026 general election on Tuesday, Nov. 3.

Updated on Nov. 3, 2026 in Elections

Bold flat-color editorial illustration of a plain civic building facade with a bare flagpole and palm silhouettes against a navy and cream field. — Federal election monitors are visiting Florida counties as voters cast ballots in the 2026 general election on Tuesday, Nov. 3, with the Justice Department sending observers to all 50 states. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

Live Poll

Do federal election monitors in your county make you more confident in the vote?

Florida voters went to the polls for the 2026 general election, with the U.S. Department of Justice sending federal election monitors to all 50 states, including five Florida counties. In Hillsborough County, a Supervisor of Elections spokesperson confirmed awareness of the monitors, which may travel between precincts on election day.

Why it matters

The Justice Department is sending monitors to all 50 states for the first time, making Florida's election process subject to federal observation. Voters and election officials in Florida are watching the outcome of the governor, U.S. Senate, St. Petersburg mayor, and Amendment 3 races closely.

Florida's turnout in the 2022 midterm was 54%, compared with 63% in the 2018 governor race and 78.9% in the 2024 presidential election, according to Florida Division of Elections data. The number of federal monitors assigned to Florida counties and any findings from their work have not been reported.

The players

U.S. Department of Justice

The federal department that sent election monitors to all 50 states for the 2026 general election, including five Florida counties.

Hillsborough County Supervisor of Elections

The county office that oversees elections in Hillsborough County, where federal monitors may travel between precincts on election day.

The details

Federal election monitors may travel between precincts in Hillsborough County on election day, according to the county's Supervisor of Elections office. The four races drawing the most attention are Florida governor, U.S. Senate in Florida, St. Petersburg mayor, and Florida's proposed Amendment 3.

2018: Florida governor race drew 63% voter turnout.
2022: Midterm general election drew 54% voter turnout in Florida.
2024: Presidential election drew 78.9% voter turnout in Florida.
Nov. 3, 2026: Florida voters cast ballots in the general election with federal monitors present.
6:00 p.m. ET: The Source begins live Election Night coverage from BBC and Democracy Now!

Turnout Context

Florida voter turnout ranged from 54% in the 2022 midterm to 78.9% in the 2024 presidential election, according to Florida Division of Elections data. The 2026 general election will be measured against those prior figures as federal monitors observe the process.

Florida voters who cast ballots on Nov. 3 are participating in an election where federal monitors may be present at precincts in some counties. The four highest-profile races on the ballot include the governor, U.S. Senate, St. Petersburg mayor, and Amendment 3.

The takeaway

Florida voters can track results of the governor, Senate, St. Petersburg mayor, and Amendment 3 races as they are reported on election night. Turnout figures from past cycles provide a baseline for comparing participation in 2026.