Hillsborough County's ballot scanners are locked, sealed and under camera surveillance after passing a required accuracy test Thursday, July 16. The same day, the county began mailing vote-by-mail ballots to domestic voters ahead of the Tuesday, Aug. 18, primary election.

For Land O' Lakes and Lutz residents who live in Pasco County, vote-by-mail ballots went out Thursday, July 9. Pasco Supervisor of Elections Brian E. Corley announced that more than 35,000 ballots were mailed to voters with requests on file.

Key deadlines

Monday, July 20 — Last day to register to vote or change party affiliation for the Aug. 18 primary, per Florida's 29-day book-closing requirement.

Thursday, Aug. 6 — Deadline to request a vote-by-mail ballot in Pasco County (5 p.m., per the Pasco Supervisor of Elections office). Hillsborough voters should confirm their request deadline at VoteHillsborough.gov.

Saturday, Aug. 8 — Pasco County early voting begins. Carry-out ballots (ballots picked up in person from elections offices) are no longer available once early voting starts. Hillsborough County early voting dates and locations will be posted at VoteHillsborough.gov.

Tuesday, Aug. 18 — Election Day. All vote-by-mail ballots must arrive at the elections office by 7 p.m. In Pasco County, voted ballots may not be turned in at the polls on Election Day.

Florida is a closed-primary state, so voters can only cast ballots for candidates in their registered party.

How to check your ballot

Hillsborough voters can view their sample ballot at VoteHillsborough.gov. Pasco voters can request a ballot or check their status at PascoVotes.gov. Pasco's Land O' Lakes elections office is available for in-person ballot pickup through Thursday, Aug. 7.

What the test proved

The Hillsborough County Canvassing Board ran its public logic and accuracy test on July 16, feeding stacks of pre-filled ballots through a random selection of scanners slated for early voting, vote-by-mail processing and Election Day use. The test confirmed every ballot position was read and votes counted correctly, according to the Supervisor of Elections office.

Florida law requires the test before every election. County Court Judge Daryl Manning, County Court Judge James Salvatore Giardina and Supervisor of Elections Craig Latimer make up the three-member Canvassing Board that oversaw the process. Results are posted on VoteHillsborough.gov under the Canvassing Board Materials link.

The equipment is now sealed and monitored by camera until it reaches polling locations. After the primary, the Canvassing Board will conduct a post-election audit to verify reported results.