FOLIO
If you are not registered to vote as of this publication date, you are not eligible to vote in Florida’s 2022 primary election on Aug. 23. Because Florida is a closed primary state, eligible voters can only vote for candidates in their same political party. Voters registered as Republican will choose among Republican candidates; voters registered as Democrat will choose among Democratic candidates. Independent and unaffiliated voters are not able to participate.
Every two years, a state primary election is held 11 weeks before the general election for the purpose of nominating candidates to be voted for in the general election to fill national, state, county or district offices. A general election is held the second Tuesday of every November in even-numbered years. The president is elected every four years with the next presidential preference primary election being held on the third Tuesday of March 2024. Governors are elected in a separate four-year election cycle. Special elections can be called at any time. Local elections, including county-specific, municipal and special district positions, may also take place throughout the year.
The deadline to register to vote in 2022’s general election is Oct. 11. But don’t wait to register: Do it now while you’re thinking about it. It’s also a good time to verify the status of your registration to ensure you will be able to vote in upcoming elections.
And if you ever feel like your vote doesn’t count, especially in local elections, think about the 2012 Jacksonville Beach mayoral election. Penny Christian won the most votes in the primary, but she did not receive a majority and was forced into a run-off with second place finisher Charlie Latham. In the general election, Latham came from behind to beat Christian—by just 63 votes for a margin of victory of .56%. Imagine how you would have felt if you intended to vote for Christian but stayed home instead.
For more details on upcoming elections, registration dates and other voting matters, contact your county Supervisor of Elections Office.
Baker County
Supervisor of Elections Chris Milton
904-259-6339, vote@bakercountyfl.org
bakerelections.com
Clay County
Supervisor of Elections Chris H. Chambless
904-269-6350, mail@clayelections.gov
clayelections.gov
Duval County
Supervisor of Elections Mike Hogan
904-255-8683, mhogan@coj.net
duvalelections.com
Nassau County
Supervisor of Elections Janet H. Adkins
904-491-7500, info@votenassaufl.gov
votenassaufl.gov
Putnam County
Supervisor of Elections Charles L. Overturf III
386-329-0224
electionsoffice@putnam-fl.gov
soe.putnam-fl.com
St. Johns County
Supervisor of Elections Vicky Oakes
904-823-2238, elections@votesjc.gov
votesjc.gov
To be eligible to register to vote in Florida you must:
Be a citizen of the United States of America;
Be a legal resident of Florida;
Be a legal resident of the county in which you seek to be registered;
Be at least 16 years old to preregister or at least 18 years old to register and vote;
Not be a person who has been adjudicated mentally incapacitated with respect to voting in Florida or any other state without having the right to vote restored; and,
Not be a person convicted of a felony without having the right to vote restored.
Notice: It is a third-degree felony to submit false information. Maximum penalties are $5,000 and/or five years in prison.
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