Florida will hold a special election to fill the congressional seat vacated by Rep. Matt Gaetz, who resigned November 14 following his nomination for U.S. Attorney General by President-elect Donald Trump.

• Governor Ron DeSantis issued Executive Order 24-262 Friday, setting a special primary election for January 28, 2025, and special general election for April 1, 2025, in Florida’s First Congressional District.

The district, which represents Escambia, Santa Rosa and Okaloosa Counties, and part of Walton County, will follow a strict timeline to fill the vacant seat.

“At Governor Ron DeSantis’ direction, this Special Election is being conducted as quickly as statutorily possible,” Florida Secretary of State Cord Byrd said. “We are committed to ensuring this election is held as soon as we are allowed to hold it by state law.”

Key dates for voters include:

• December 5-6, 2024: Candidate qualifying period
• December 14, 2024: First vote-by-mail ballots sent to military and overseas civilians
• December 19, 2024: Domestic vote-by-mail ballots distribution begins
• January 18-25, 2025: Early voting period for primary election
• March 22-29, 2025: Early voting period for general election

The election timeline follows state requirements for special elections, which include specific periods for qualifying, primaries, mail and early voting, and general elections.

Voters can find additional information about the special election at dos.fl.gov/elections.

Full timeline

11/22/2024 – Governor issues Executive Order 24-262

11/24/2024 – Advertisement of Notice of Election

• At least 10 days before Qualifying. (See § 100.141, Florida Statutes)

11/25/2024 – Last day to submit notice of resignation

• No later than 10 days before first day of Qualifying. (See § 99.012, Florida Statutes)

12/5-6/2024 – Qualifying Period

• One and one-half days starting at 8:00a.m. on the first day and ending at noon on the second day. (See § 100.111(2)(a), Florida Statutes)

12/14/2024 – Vote-By-Mail Ballots Sent to Absent Stateside and Overseas Military and U.S. Civilians

• Begins 45 days before an election (See § 101.62, Florida Statutes; 52 U.S.C. §§ 20301–20311, Uniformed and Overseas Citizens and Absentee Voting Act)

12/19/2024 – Vote-By-Mail Ballots Sent to Domestic Voters

• Seven-day window starts 40 days and ends 33 days before an election. (See § 101.62, Florida Statutes)

12/30/2024 – Book Closing for Special Primary

1/18-25/2025 – Early Voting

• Eight-day mandatory window starts 10 days before an election and ending the Saturday before election day. (See § 101.657, Florida Statutes)

1/28/2025 – Special Primary Election Day

2/11/2025 – Deadline for Elections Canvassing Commission to certify results of Special Primary Election

• 14 days after Special Primary (See §§ 100.191 and 102.111(2), Florida Statutes)

2/15/2025 – Vote-By-Mail Ballots Sent to Absent Stateside and Overseas Military and U.S. Civilians

• Begins 45 days before an election (See § 101.62, Florida Statutes; 52 U.S.C. §§ 20301–20311, Uniformed and Overseas Citizens and Absentee Voting Act)

2/20/2025 – Vote-By-Mail Ballots Sent to Domestic Voters

• Seven-day window starts 40 days and ends 33 days before an election. (See § 101.62, Florida Statutes)

3/3/2025 – Book Closing for Special Primary

3/22-29/2025  Early Voting

• Eight-day mandatory window starts 10 days before and election and ending the Saturday before election day. (See § 101.657, Florida Statutes)

4/1/2025 – Special General Election Day