Florida runs on a strict election calendar, and print schedules have to be reverse-engineered from it. Miss the window and yard signs land after voters have already returned mail ballots. Below is the 2026 cycle, stage by stage, with the print deadlines that experienced campaign managers actually work back from.

The Three Dates That Set Everything Else

• Qualifying week - June 8-12, 2026 (state and federal candidates; local varies).
• Primary Election - August 18, 2026
• General Election - November 3, 2026

Every print order should be pinned to one of these dates. Work backwards.

Stage 1 - Filing & Kickoff (4-8 weeks before qualifying)

The moment you file, you need a name presence: a small run of yard signs for supporters' front lawns, a banner for the announcement event, and business cards. Don't order the full sign quantity yet - logos and slogans usually change once real feedback comes in. A first batch of candidate signs plus a single campaign banner is enough to launch.

Print deadline: Order 2-3 weeks before your announcement event to allow for design revisions and shipping.

Stage 2 - Summer Push to the Primary (June-August)

This is the biggest print stage. Once you're qualified, you need volume: the full yard sign run, rolling billboards for volunteer cars, and your first mail drop.

• Full yard sign run: in hand by early July - 6 weeks before the August 18 primary. Order your campaign yard signs in the classic 18x24 with H-frame included.
• Car magnets & bumper stickers: in hand by early July to equip volunteer vehicles for the summer. A pair of political car magnets per car turns every volunteer's commute into free ad time.
• Vote-by-mail piece: at the post office by July 15-20. Florida mails ballots roughly 40 days out.
• Primary-week pieces (early vote reminder): in hand by August 3.

Stage 3 - Post-Primary Pivot (August 19 to Labor Day)

If you win the primary, you have about 10 weeks to General Day and a lot of print to redo. Colors, tagline, and endorsements often shift. Reorder your parade & rally banners with "General Election" messaging, add campaign feather flags for event booths, and start planning the general mail plan.

Print deadline: Approve all General Election designs by September 1.

Stage 4 - General Election Sprint (September-November)

• Second yard sign wave: in hand by September 20 to replace weathered/lost signs.
• Large campaign signs at intersections: in hand by September 25. A handful of 2x4 or 4x8 large signs at commuter routes carry more weight than 50 small signs on side streets.
• General Election mail: at the post office by October 10-15. VBM ballots hit mailboxes in early October.
• Election Day materials:Election Day and Vote Here signs for every polling place, in hand by October 26.

Print Lead Times to Plan Around

• Yard signs (200-500): 5-7 business days production + shipping
• Large signs 2x4-4x8: 5-7 business days
• Banners & retractables: 3-5 business days
• Feather flag kits: 5-7 business days
• Stickers & magnets: 5-7 business days

Add a full week of buffer for every deadline. Something always gets sent back for a proof revision.