Florida flooding forces polling-place moves on Election Day as DeSantis declares emergency in 7 counties

As of 7:09 a.m. ET, Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026

Flooding in parts of Florida has forced election officials to move polling places for some voters on Election Day, after Gov. Ron DeSantis declared a state of emergency in seven counties. Polls are open as scheduled; voters in affected precincts can vote at temporary sites.

DeSantis signed Executive Order 26-227 on Monday, Nov. 2, declaring a state of emergency in Brevard, DeSoto, Hardee, Highlands, Indian River, Martin and St. Lucie counties. The order says widespread heavy rain from Oct. 31 through Nov. 2 caused flooding that has affected roads, airports, schools and other critical infrastructure in those counties.

One section of the order deals directly with Tuesday's general election. It says any county Supervisor of Elections who cannot fully comply with state law on changing polling places must notify the Florida Department of State of any "partial or substitute measures," subject to the secretary of state's approval. The order takes effect immediately and expires in 60 days unless extended.

Where Brevard voters should go

In Brevard County, Supervisor of Elections Tim Bobanic said Monday that his office would temporarily relocate "a limited number" of polling places because of extreme flooding.

"For the safety and security of our election workers and the voters of Brevard, it is necessary to relocate a couple of precinct polling locations due to these unprecedented circumstances," Bobanic said in a news release.

According to the release:

• Precincts 307, 512 and 525 (Max K. Rodes Park Community Center) and Precinct 309 (Veterans Memorial Complex) will vote at New Shiloh Christian Center, 3900 Sarno Road, Melbourne.
• Precinct 306 (Eddie Lee Taylor, Sr. Community Center) and Precincts 323 and 509 (Front Street Civic Center) will vote at Joseph N. Davis Community Center, 2547 Bruce D. Buggs St., Melbourne.
• Precinct 320 (EFSC Palm Bay, Community Dining Room) will vote at Franklin T. DeGroodt Memorial Library, 6475 Minton Road SE, Palm Bay.
• Precinct 517 (Faith Baptist Church of Palm Bay) will vote at Palm Bay City Hall Council Chambers, 120 Malabar Road SE.

Bobanic's office said more changes are possible and asked voters to check VoteBrevard.gov before heading out. Polls in Brevard are open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Election Day voters must vote at the polling place assigned to their precinct, the office says.

Other counties

The Florida Division of Elections has posted a statewide list of temporary polling places tied to the order. As of Tuesday morning, it listed relocations in Brevard, Highlands, Indian River, Martin and St. Lucie counties, plus Okeechobee and Palm Beach counties, which are not covered by the emergency declaration. No changes were listed for DeSoto or Hardee counties. The state says the list is subject to change.

St. Lucie County has the most moves on the state's list, covering precincts in Port St. Lucie and Fort Pierce. Some St. Lucie assignments have changed since Monday, so voters there should check the state list or stlucievotes.gov before they go.

Voters who cast a ballot in the wrong precinct may be given a provisional ballot, but it will not count if it was cast in the wrong precinct, Florida Politics reported, citing state law.