The process for electing the President and Vice President in the United States is called the Electoral College. Presidential electors who participate in the national Electoral College and who cast their vote for President and Vice-President, are first selected and nominated pursuant to procedures in each individual state. Each state is entitled to a number of electors equal to the number of that state's senators and representatives in Congress ( Art. II, U.S. Const. ). Based on the 2020 U.S. Census, Florida is entitled to 30 presidential electors through the 2024 presidential election.
In Florida, the process starts with the joint candidates for President and Vice President or their political party, whichever is applicable, submitting their own slate of presidential electors to the Governor's Office, no later than noon on August 24. See section 103.021, Florida Statutes. However, since by law the names of the presidential electors are not placed on the General Election ballot, the party must certify nomination to the Secretary of State their candidate names for President and Vice-President to be placed on the General Election Ballot no later than ballot certification.
When the voters cast votes for the President and Vice President of their choice at the General Election, they are voting to select their slate of electors. After the General Election, each state is required to meet for their own electoral college to certify the winning slate of presidential electors for the joint candidates for President and Vice President who received the highest number of votes in the state.
Florida's Electoral College is held in December of the presidential election year on a date to be set by Congress . See section 103.061, Florida Statutes. For 2024, the Florida Electoral College is scheduled for December 17, 2024.
On January 6, 2025, Congress will meet in joint session to count the electoral votes submitted nationwide.
For more information on how electors cast their votes for President and Vice President including key dates and events, please refer to the National Archives and Records Administration - U.S. Electoral college website.