Voter registration deadline for primary nearing
The deadline to register to vote or change party affiliation for the primary election is July 20.
The primary will take place on Aug. 18, with the polls open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Early voting will start on Aug. 8 and run daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. through Aug. 15. Lee County voters can vote at any of the 12 available early voting locations during the early voting period.
On Election Day, voters can only vote at their assigned precinct.
Florida is a closed primary election state. As such, voters not registered as members of a political party may not get to vote for respective party candidates or nominees for an office in a primary election.
“If you’re not a registered voter, make sure to complete your registration before the deadline,” Lee County Elections reported.
To register to vote or update your party affiliation, visit registertovoteflorida.gov.
The deadline to request a vote-by-mail ballot is Aug. 6 at 5 p.m.
Voters who have not submitted a vote-by-mail request since the 2024 general election will need to submit a new one to receive a ballot for the 2026 elections. Requests can be made online at www.lee.vote, by phone at 239-LEE-VOTE (533-8683) or in person at any Lee County Elections office.
The deadline to return a vote-by-mail ballot is Aug. 18 at 7 p.m.
Those who plan to return their ballot in the mail are recommended to do so before Aug. 4.
Before Election Day, ballots may be dropped off at any branch office location on Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. On Election Day, the following offices will accept the ballots:
– Bonita Springs Branch Office, at 25987 S. Tamiami Trail, Suite 105, Bonita Springs
– Cape Coral Branch Office, at 1039 S.E. 9th Ave., Suite 100, Cape Coral
– Lee County Elections Center, at 13180 S. Cleveland Ave., Fort Myers
– Lehigh Acres Branch Office, at 600 Homestead Road S. Suite 9, Lehigh Acres
– Main Office, at 2480 Thompson St., 3rd Floor, Fort Myers
In addition, Lee County Elections reported that it began mailing its primary and general elections notice to approximately 448,000 residential mailboxes within the county on July 2.
Provided in English and Spanish, it includes information on how to register to vote and request a vote-by-mail ballot. The notice also contains the dates, times and locations for early voting in the primary and general.
“I want every eligible voter to have the opportunity to participate in the upcoming elections,” Supervisor of Elections Jenna Persons-Mulicka said. “Our office is working diligently to make sure voters have the information they need to be election ready.”
Residents are encouraged to watch for the notice in their mailboxes and review the information.
For more information, visit https://www.lee.vote/.
To reach TIFFANY REPECKI / trepecki@breezenewspapers.com, please email