Lakewood Ranch residents must register to vote or update their registration by Monday, Oct. 5, to participate in the Tuesday, Nov. 3, general election.

Florida does not allow same-day registration. Residents who have moved, changed their name or switched party affiliation must update their records by Oct. 5 or they will not be eligible to cast a ballot.

The Nov. 3 ballot carries races at every level of government, including governor, U.S. Senate and the U.S. House seat for Florida's 16th Congressional District. That district now covers all of Manatee County and parts of Sarasota County after redistricting. Republican Sydney Gruters, Democrat Kelly Kirschner and no-party-affiliation candidate Mark Davis are running for the seat, Sarasota Magazine reported.

Closer to home, four Manatee County Commission seats are on the ballot: Districts 1, 2, 4 and 6. Commissioner Amanda Ballard holds District 2, Commissioner Mike Rahn holds District 4 and Commissioner Jason Bearden holds District 6 but is not seeking re-election, according to the Manatee County Supervisor of Elections candidate handbook. Manatee County School Board Districts 2 and 5 are also on the ballot.

Sarasota County Government posted a reminder on X on Tuesday, Sept. 22, urging residents to register or update their information before the cutoff.

How to register

Residents can register online at RegisterToVoteFlorida.gov. Manatee County residents can also register at VoteManatee.gov or download a mail-in application from the site. Applicants need a valid Florida driver's license or state ID, or the last four digits of a Social Security number. Registrants must be U.S. citizens, county residents and at least 18 years old.

Manatee County Supervisor of Elections Scott Farrington's office is at 600 301 Blvd. W., Suite 108, Bradenton. The phone number is 941-741-3823. Sarasota County Supervisor of Elections Ron Turner's main office is at 2001 Adams Lane, Sarasota. The phone number is 941-861-8600.

Manatee County has also opened a seasonal elections office at the county administration building in Lakewood Ranch, 9000 Town Center Parkway. That office is open Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., through Nov. 6.

What comes after registration

Early voting in Manatee County runs Oct. 19 through Nov. 1, from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily. Local early voting sites include Lakewood Ranch Town Hall and Lakewood Ranch Library, according to a Manatee County election preparation report.

The deadline to request a vote-by-mail ballot is 5 p.m. Oct. 22 in both counties.

On Election Day, polls are open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Voters must bring a current photo ID with a signature, according to the Florida Division of Elections.