With a busy election year, Central Florida groups are reaching out now

This story was originally published by Click Orlando

We are just one month away from Florida’s Presidential Preference Primary.

The deadline to register to vote in the March presidential primary is Feb. 20. There will only be a Republican Party primary, there will not be a Democratic Party primary.

The last day to request a vote-by-mail ballot is March 7.

The primary is on March 19. Coincidentally, that’s when Central Florida schools are on spring break.

The presidential primary is the first of three major elections in Florida this year, with the statewide primary coming in August and the general election in November.

Tiffany Hughes is President of the League of Women Voters of Orange County. She and her organization have been working now to get voting results, including reaching people where they are.

“In this upcoming election, we want to make sure that we are increasing the number of people who are getting to the ballot box‚” said Hughes. “We’ve begun hosting what we call our “Speakeasies.” It usually happens at a tavern or a bar or a restaurant, in order to encourage our young professionals to get involved, get engaged, get registered.”

From parades to regular events at taverns and restaurants, Hughes said the group’s recent focus has been engaging younger voters and people in minority communities who she said may tend not to vote. They also work alongside organizations at UCF and Rollins College to try and register voters.

“How do we translate that energy and passion to voting and change, so working with Rollins and UCF has been amazing. I love supporting those groups,” said Hughes.

Osceola County Supervisor of Elections Mary Jane Arrington agrees that it’s about reaching more voters and also educating them about the process.

She said her office is also trying to get more younger people to the polls.

“We’re out at schools and community events trying to make sure people register to vote and making sure their information is correct,” said Arrington. “We go into high schools and teach government classes, trying to make sure they understand the importance of voting.”

If you need to register to vote or check your voter registration status, change your party affiliation, request a vote-by-mail ballot, or need other election help, check out our Results 2024 page.