Voting Guide for SW Florida Primary: Everything You Need to Know
Conoce las fechas, horarios y los candidatos clave en las elecciones primarias del 18 de agosto en Lee y Collier Counties.
On Tuesday, August 18, voters in southwest Florida will head to the polls to participate in the state's primary elections. Polling places will be open from 7:00 a.m. until 7:00 p.m., local time. This election day is crucial for determining the candidates who will compete in November's general elections, with competitive races ranging from school board seats to representation in the U.S. Congress.
Election Logistics and Mail-in Ballots
Thousands of voters have already cast their ballots through early voting or mail-in ballot before this process ended on Saturday, August 15. For those who still have not sent their mail-in ballot, election authorities strongly recommend delivering it in person. According to the Florida Department of State, a voted ballot must be physically received at the Supervisor of Elections' office by 7:00 p.m. on Election Day; the postmark is not sufficient to meet this requirement.
Voters can verify their polling places and drop-off options through the website lee.vote, administered by the Lee County Supervisor of Elections Office. Reviewing this official source is recommended for accurate information about nearby voting centers.
Key Races in Lee County
Locally, a prominent race is the Republican primary for District 5 of the Lee County Commission. Newly appointed commissioner Trish Petrosky faces Amanda Cochran for a seat representing Lehigh Acres and rural areas such as Alva and Buckingham. Since there are no Democratic opponents, all registered voters in the county can participate regardless of their party affiliation.
Lee County will also elect members to the Lee County School Board. In District 1, representing Cape Coral, Pine Island and Sanibel, incumbent Sam Fisher competes against Jenn McDaigle. For the at-large seat in District 6, Jada Langford-Flemming faces India Palencia, a story we covered in Florida Primary Early Voting Ends Soon.
U.S. Congressional Elections
At the state and federal level, voters will choose successors for important positions. In Florida's First Congressional District, more than a dozen candidates are seeking to replace Republican Congressman Byron Donalds, who is considered a favorite in the Republican gubernatorial primary.
In Florida's Seventh Congressional District (District 17), two Democrats compete to determine who will face Republican Greg Steube. This district has been redrawn and now includes parts of Fort Myers and a larger portion of Lee County, in addition to areas previously focused on Sarasota.
Local Referendum in Bonita Springs
In smaller cities, voters will have the opportunity to decide on local funding. In Bonita Springs, one of the smallest municipalities in southwest Florida, a referendum will be held on a proposal for a linear park with bike and pedestrian trails along former railroad tracks (BERT). Voters will determine whether to approve $35 million in bonds to finance the city's portion of this project.
