Learn Before You Vote by Sandy Parker, Publisher Sparker’s Soapbox

Collier County voters will make several important decisions in the August 18 primary election, including races that will be decided that day and never appear on the November ballot.

Key Dates
July 20 – Voter registration deadline
August 6 – Vote-by-mail request deadline
August 8-15 – Early voting
August 18 – Primary Election Day

Florida law requires a new vote-by-mail ballot request each election year. To vote by mail, you must request a mail ballot by August 6.

Contact the Collier County Supervisor of Elections office at www.colliervoters.gov or 239-252-VOTE for details.

What’s on the August Primary Ballot
In the August primaries, Collier County Republicans and Democrats will choose their parties’ nominees for several
offices on the November general election ballot. These include U.S. Senator, U.S. Representative, Governor, Chief Financial Officer, Commissioner of Agriculture, and one Florida House seat that represents part of Collier County.

All voters in Collier County may also vote in nonpartisan elections for two 20th Circuit Court judges and one School
Board seat. Because only two candidates qualified for each race, the winners will be elected in August.

The County Commission District 4 race will also be decided in August. Because both candidates are Republicans
and no other candidates qualified, Florida’s Universal Primary rule allows all registered voters in District 4 to participate.

In addition, some voters will see local referendum questions on their ballots:

Marco Island bond referendum
Greater Naples Fire Rescue governance referendum
Not sure what’s on your ballot? Find your voter information
at www.colliervotes.gov.

On the November General Election Ballot
The November General Election ballot will include the winners of the August primaries, along with races that did
not require a primary because only one Republican and one Democrat qualified.

Voters will also decide whether to retain one Florida Supreme Court justice and, depending on where they live, may also elect members of local boards, including the Collier Mosquito Control District, the Greater Naples and North
Collier Fire Control Districts, and other local special districts.

November will also mark the first election for the Naples Airport Authority Board of Commissioners. All Collier
County voters will elect commissioners for Seats 4 and 5. Seats 1, 2, and 3 were unopposed and are already deemed elected under Florida law.

Finally, the November ballot will include three proposed amendments to the Florida Constitution and a local onepercent tourist development tax referendum.

Where to Learn More
Find nonpartisan research on many of the candidates appearing on the Collier County ballot at www.sparkerssoapbox.com.

The research includes background information, campaign positions, campaign finance, endorsements, and links
to original sources so voters can learn more for themselves..

An informed vote is one of the most powerful ways citizens can shape their community. Start learning about the candidates now so you’ll be ready when it’s time to vote.

Sandy Parker is the founder and publisher of Sparker’s Soapbox, a nonpartisan civic information resource for Collier County voters. Learn more at sparkers-soapbox.com