Apollo Beach and Ruskin voters can cast ballots at three nearby early voting sites starting Monday, Oct. 19, ahead of the Nov. 3 general election.

Early voting in Hillsborough County runs through Nov. 1, with polls open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily, according to the Hillsborough County Supervisor of Elections office.

The county is offering 14 days of early voting, including six optional days beyond Florida's required Oct. 24-31 period.

Three South Shore locations will be open:

• Apollo Beach Park & Recreation Center: 664 Golf and Sea Blvd., Apollo Beach.
• SouthShore Community Resource Center: 201 14th Ave. SE, Ruskin.
• Southshore Regional Service Center: 410 30th St. SE, Ruskin.

Registered Hillsborough County voters can cast ballots at any of the county's 27 early voting locations, regardless of their assigned Election Day precinct.

The SouthShore Community Resource Center replaces the SouthShore Regional Library, which is unavailable because of renovations.

Mail-ballot requests due Oct. 22

Voters who want a ballot mailed to them must submit a request by 5 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 22, through VoteHillsborough.gov or by calling the elections office.

Requests require identifying information, including a Florida driver's license number, state identification card number or the last four digits of a Social Security number. Under Florida law, vote-by-mail requests expire after each general election.

Hillsborough County Supervisor of Elections Craig Latimer encouraged residents to act early during an Oct. 2 appearance on Bay News 9's Political Connections.

"If people want to request a vote by mail ballot, they should go to their supervisor's website … They can do it right online, or call the supervisor's office so that they can verify the information and get that ballot out to them," Latimer said.

The elections office began mailing domestic ballots Oct. 1, with more than 146,000 scheduled for delivery. Voters can track their ballots online and sign up for status notifications.

Completed mail ballots must reach the elections office by 7 p.m. Nov. 3. Postmarks do not determine whether ballots meet the deadline.

Voters can also return completed ballots to secure ballot intake stations at early voting locations during voting hours.

Election Day voting and identification

Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 3. Anyone in line by closing time will be allowed to vote.

Unlike early voting, Election Day voters must report to their assigned precinct.

In-person voters must present current identification showing their photograph and signature. Accepted forms include a Florida driver's license, state identification card, U.S. passport, military identification, student identification, debit or credit card, or concealed weapon license.

Voters whose photo identification lacks a signature may present a second form of identification containing one. Those without acceptable identification may cast a provisional ballot.

Check sample ballots before voting

Voters can review personalized sample ballots through the Supervisor of Elections' voter information lookup, which also provides registration information, assigned precincts and mail-ballot tracking.

Sample ballots are mailed or emailed to voters who have not requested a vote-by-mail ballot. Because ballot contents vary by district and precinct, election officials encourage voters to review candidates and ballot measures before arriving at the polls.

Voters may bring a marked sample ballot or personal notes into the voting booth.

For additional information, visit VoteHillsborough.gov or call 813-744-5900.