Key facts
- Election Day
- Tuesday, Aug. 18
- Early voting period
- Saturday, Aug. 8 through Saturday, Aug. 15
- Mail-in voting ends
- Saturday, Aug. 8
- Ballot request deadline
- 5 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 6
- Early voting locations
- 11 in Collier County
- Voter turnout as of Aug. 3
- About 5 percent of eligible voters
Background
Floridians are preparing to elect several key officials, including a new governor, Congress members, an attorney general, and county officials, as voting for the primary is underway. The primary elections determine which candidates from each party will appear on the November ballot.
In the closed primary system, voters may only vote for candidates of their registered party who have other candidates of the same party vying for the seat. Mail-in ballot voting and early voting are ahead of the primary election day for in-person voting, which occurs on Tuesday, Aug. 18.
Current situation
As of Monday, Aug. 3, about 5 percent of eligible Collier County voters had cast their ballots, according to the Collier County Supervisor of Elections Office. Early voting for primary elections starts Saturday, Aug. 8, which is the day mail-in voting ends.
Key upcoming primary election dates include: voting by mail continues through Saturday, Aug. 8; ballot request deadline is 5 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 6; early voting takes place Saturday, Aug. 8 through Saturday, Aug. 15, polls open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Election Day is Tuesday, Aug. 18, polls open 7 a.m.-7 p.m.
| Event | Date | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Ballot request deadline | Thursday, Aug. 6 | 5 p.m. |
| Mail-in voting ends | Saturday, Aug. 8 | — |
| Early voting | Saturday, Aug. 8 through Saturday, Aug. 15 | 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. |
| Election Day | Tuesday, Aug. 18 | 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. |
Impacts
Voters in Collier County can cast ballots at any of 11 designated early voting locations across the county with ID, as long as they are registered to vote in Collier County. Early voting locations include the Collier County Government Complex in Naples, Everglades City Hall, Golden Gate Community Center, Heritage Bay Government Services Center, Immokalee Community Park, Library Headquarters, Marco Island Library, Norris Center at Cambier Park, North Collier Regional Park, South Regional Library, and the Supervisor of Elections Office.
Election Day is the last opportunity to cast a ballot during an election, and voters must vote in their assigned polling location on Election Day. Polling locations are open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., and voters in line by 7 p.m. will be allowed to cast a ballot. The General Election ballot, with the list of winning candidates from this Primary Election, will be cast in November with mail-in and early voting occurring in the weeks ahead of General Election Day.
Future outlook
Scenario analysis: The possibilities below are not certain predictions.
If voters miss the Aug. 6 ballot request deadline, they may still vote during early voting or on Election Day. If they are unable to vote in person, they may consider voting by mail before the Aug. 8 deadline.
The outcome of the primary will determine which candidates appear on the November General Election ballot. Depending on the results, the November ballot will include the winning candidates from each party for governor, Congress, attorney general, and county offices.
Source: floridaweekly.com
