Voting in Bay County: registration, polling places, early voting

Last checked Oct. 9, 2026. Sources: the Bay County Supervisor of Elections, the Florida Division of Elections’ 2026 election dates and the City of Panama City’s charter amendment page. This page is factual and nonpartisan; we do not endorse candidates or ballot questions.

The Bay County Supervisor of Elections, Nina Ward, runs every election in the county, including Panama City’s, from 830 W. 11th St. The next election is the general election on Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026.

Who to call

• Bay County Supervisor of Elections: 850-784-6100, 830 W. 11th St., Panama City, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays
• Spanish-language help line: 833-966-0112
• Official pages: check your registration, where to vote, sample ballot

Key dates for Nov. 3, 2026

Hurricane Isaias. If the storm disrupts elections offices or polling places, changes will be posted by the Supervisor of Elections, and the state keeps an emergency and disaster election resources page.

Registering and updating

The deadline to register for the Nov. 3 election was Oct. 5, 29 days before the election, according to the Division of Elections. You can still register now for later elections at RegisterToVoteFlorida.gov, and registered voters who have moved within Bay County can update their address. Check your status with the supervisor’s voter information tool.

Early voting

Monday, Oct. 19, to Saturday, Oct. 31. Bay County offers 13 days of early voting at eight sites, longer than the state’s mandatory period of Oct. 24-31. Hours:

• Supervisor of Elections office, 830 W. 11th St.: 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• All other early voting sites: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

You can vote at any open site. The site list and map are on the supervisor’s early voting page. Every early voting site also has a secure ballot intake station for completed mail ballots.

Voting by mail

Any voter can request a mail ballot in person, by mail, by phone or by email, for one election or for every election through the end of the next general election year. Include your name, address, date of birth and Florida driver’s license number or the last four digits of your Social Security number. Request it by 5 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 22.

Return envelopes come with postage paid. Your ballot must reach the supervisor’s office by 7 p.m. on Election Day; a postmark is not enough. You can drop it off at any early voting site during early voting hours, or at the supervisor’s office, but not at your precinct on Election Day. Track it with the supervisor’s ballot tracker.

If the office contacts you about a missing or mismatched signature, return the cure affidavit with a copy of your ID by 5 p.m. on the second day after the election.

On Election Day

Polls are open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. On Election Day you must vote at your assigned precinct. Find it with the voting location finder or call 850-784-6100.

Bring a photo and signature ID. Florida accepts, among others, a Florida driver’s license or ID card, U.S. passport, debit or credit card, military ID, student ID, retirement center or neighborhood association ID, public assistance ID, veteran health ID, concealed weapon permit or a government employee ID. You do not need your voter information card. Without an ID, you vote a provisional ballot, which counts if your signature matches the one on file.

What is on the ballot in Panama City

Panama City voters will see three proposed City Charter amendments, the city says:

1. Government structure and elections: extend the mayor’s term from two years to four, align city elections with state and federal election cycles and update procedures for contested races.
2. Administration and operations: rename the city clerk-treasurer as city comptroller, move public records and minutes duties to the city manager, and require the comptroller, city attorney and city manager to be registered voters living in the city.
3. Charter modernization: remove outdated language, change how City Commission vacancies are filled and require a full charter review every 10 years.

The city has posted the ballot language, frequently asked questions and a redline of the charter. See your full ballot, including state and county races, on the sample ballot page.

The statewide ballot includes Amendment 3, which would raise the homestead exemption. The city has published estimates of about $2.5 million less property-tax revenue in the first year if it passes. Our Amendment 3 story explains the figures.

What this means for you

• Early voting starts Monday, Oct. 19; any site works.
• Mail ballots must arrive by 7 p.m. Nov. 3; if time is short, drop yours off at an early voting site.
• Bring photo and signature ID.

Related: who to call at City Hall and public notices.

Frequently asked questions

When is early voting in Bay County for the 2026 general election?

Monday, Oct. 19, through Saturday, Oct. 31, at eight sites. The Supervisor of Elections office is open 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.; the other sites are open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. You can use any site.

What is the deadline to register to vote in Florida for Nov. 3, 2026?

Oct. 5, 2026, according to the Florida Division of Elections. That deadline has passed for this election, but you can still update an address with the Supervisor of Elections.

When is the deadline to request a mail ballot in Bay County?

5 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 22. Completed mail ballots must reach the Supervisor of Elections by 7 p.m. on Election Day, Nov. 3.

What ID do I need to vote in Florida?

A photo and signature ID, such as a Florida driver’s license or ID card, U.S. passport, military ID, student ID or debit or credit card. Without one, you vote a provisional ballot.

What is on the Panama City ballot in November 2026?

Three proposed City Charter amendments, including one that would extend the mayor’s term from two years to four and align city elections with state and federal elections.