Early voting kicked off on Oct. 22
The Supervisor of Elections encourages those voters who have not yet cast their mail-in ballots take advantage of Early Voting, which began on Oct. 22.
Supervisor of Elections Tommy Doyle said on Oct. 17 that they have checked in almost 56,000 mail-in ballots.
“I’m anticipating between 100,000 to 120,000, maybe more. We are getting hundreds of requests for vote by mail (ballots). I’m expecting at least 70 percent of those returned,” he said. “This election is probably going to be a turnout similar to a presidential election with a 70 percent total turnout.”
Those who did not receive a vote by mail ballot are encouraged to take advantage of early voting sites. Early voting will be held from Oct. 22 to Nov. 3 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily. Voters may use any one of the 10 following sites:
– Bonita Springs – Elections Office, Bonita Commons #105, 25987 S. Tamiami Trail, Bonita Springs,
– Cape Coral – Elections Office, 1039 S.E. Ninth Ave., Cape Coral
– Cape Coral-Lee County Library, 921 S.W. 39th Terrace, Cape Coral
– East County Regional Library, 881 Gunnery Road N., Lehigh Acres
– Estero Recreation Center, 9200 Corkscrew Palms Blvd., Estero
– Fort Myers Regional Library, 2450 First Street, Fort Myers
– Lee County Elections Center, 13180 S. Cleveland Ave., Fort Myers
– North Fort Myers Recreation Center, 2000 N. Recreation Park Way, North Fort Myers
– Northwest Regional Library, 519 Chiquita Blvd. N., Cape Coral
– Veterans Park Recreation Center, 55 S. Homestead Road, Lehigh Acres
“Early voting, or Election Day voting, have your sample ballot already filled out to use as a cheat sheet,” Doyle said. “We mailed out sample ballots last week. You can go online (lee.vote) to find your ballot and print it out and use it as a cheat sheet at the polls.”
This year’s ballot includes three full pages. Some precincts will have a fourth side with one or two items.
There are 12 Constitutional amendments on the ballot. The state Supreme Court ruled on Oct. 17 to allow amendments seven, nine and eleven, which had been challenged, to stand.
“They are still viable amendments,” Doyle said.
Those who would like to review the amendments can do so at lee.vote. The amendment guide includes such information as the pros and cons of each and what happens if the vote is yes, or no.
Races on the General Election ballot include:
– United States Senator: Rick Scott (REP) and Bill Nelson (DEM)
– Governor and Lieutenant Governor: Ron DeSantis, Jeanette Nunez (REP); Andrew Gillum, Chris King (DEM); Nancy Argenziano, Darcy G. Richardson (REF); Ryan Christopher Foley, Kyle “KC” Gibson, Ryan Howard McJury, Bruce Stanley, John Tutton Jr. and Ellen Wilds (NPA)
– Attorney General: Ashley Moody (REP), Sean Shaw (DEM) and Jeffrey Marc Siskind (NPA)
– Chief Financial Officer: Jimmy Patronis (REP) and Jeremy Ring (DEM)
– Commissioner of Agriculture: Matt Caldwell (REP) and Nicole “Nikki” Fried (DEM)
– State Attorney 20th Judicial Circuit: Amira Fox (REP)
– United States Representative, District 19: Francis Rooney (REP) and David Holden (DEM)
– State Representative, District 76: Ray Rodrigues (REP) and David Bogner (DEM)
– School Board Member, District 6: Nicholas Alexander and Betsy Vaughn
– Sanibel Fire District, Seat 1: Alfred N. “Mike” Lawrence and Richard P. McCurry
– Sanibel Fire District, Seat 2: Andrew S. Barron and Bruce Cochrane
Amendments on the General Election ballot include:
– No. 1, Constitutional Amendment: Increased Homestead Property Tax Exemption
– No. 2, Constitutional Amendment: Limitations on Property Tax Assessments
– No. 3, Constitutional Amendment: Voter Control of Gambling in Florida
– No. 4, Constitutional Amendment: Voting Restoration Amendment
– No. 5, Constitutional Amendment: Supermajority Vote Required to Impose, Authorize, or Raise State Taxes or Fees
– No. 6, Constitutional Revision: Rights of Crime Victims, Judges
– No. 7, Constitutional Revision: First Responder and Military Member Survivor Benefits; Public Colleges and Universities
– No. 9, Constitutional Revision: Prohibits Offshore Oil and Gas Drilling; Prohibits Vaping in Enclosed Indoor Workplaces
– No. 10, Constitutional Revision: State and Local Government Structure and Operation
– No. 11, Constitutional Revision: Property Rights; Removal of Obsolete Provision; Criminal Statues
– No. 12, Constitutional Revision: Lobbying and Abuse of Office by Public Officers
– No. 13, Constitutional Revision: Ends Dog Racing
Referendums on the General Election ballot include:
– County School Board Referendum: Levy of one-half cent per dollar sales surtax for educational improvements, equipment and technology