Early voting ends Saturday
With early voting wrapping up this weekend, the primary election is set for Nov. 8.
Early voting kicked off on Oct. 24 and will continue through Nov. 5. As of Friday afternoon, over 40,000 people had taken advantage of early voting.
“There’s a steady flow of people,” Vicki Collins, with the Lee County Elections Office, said.
She noted that she had not heard of any major issues at any of the sites.
A total of 10 early voting sites throughout Lee County have been open daily from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Those who decide to take advantage of early voting may visit any of the 10 designated locations.
“You have 10 different locations you can choose from,” Collins said. “You don’t have to go to one particular spot.”
Voters need to bring their photo signature identification with them.
“If something comes up on Election Day, you have no other option,” Collins said. “It is always a safer bet if you’ve already voted.”
All of the sites can be found online at lee.vote.
As of Wednesday, approximately 188,908 mail ballots had been requested. According to the Lee County Elections Office website, 178,787 had been mailed and 111,722 had been returned.
“We are breaking records with the amount that’s been requested and the amount that’s been returned,” Collins said, pointing out that mail ballots are an easy, convenient and safe method of voting.
“That’s the trend that we’re seeing across the state of Florida and across the nation,” she said.
The ballots can be mailed – postage is covered – or dropped off at a drop box.
“We’re seeing a quicker turnaround than in past elections,” Collins said. “People are voting their ballots, then turning them in.”
Collins recommended that voters fill out and return their mail ballots as soon as possible. The United States Post Office has warned that it may take several days, rather than a couple days, for returns.
“If you’re worried, use a drop box,” she said.
The mail ballot drop boxes are located at the following sites:
Bonita Springs Branch Office, at 25987 S. Tamiami Trail, Suite 105, Bonita Springs: Until 3 p.m. Nov. 8
Cape Coral Branch Office, at 1039 S.E. Ninth Ave., Cape Coral: Until 3 p.m. Nov. 8
Election Center, at 13180 S. Cleveland Ave., Fort Myers: Until 5 p.m. Nov. 8
Main Office, at 2480 Thompson St., Third Floor, Fort Myers: Until 7 p.m. Nov. 8
Mail ballots must be received at the main office by 7 p.m. on Nov. 8.
Voters who requested a mail ballot but decide to vote early or on Election Day can do so. They simply bring their entire mail ballot packet, including the envelope, to the polling location and surrender it.
On Nov. 8 – Election Day – the polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
“They have to vote in their precinct only,” Collins said. “There is no other option.”
Again, a photo identification with signature will be required to vote.
“We also highly recommend that people mark their sample ballot and bring it with them because it makes their voting experience go smoother,” she said.
Those who need to locate their polling site can contact the Lee County Elections Office or visit the website. Those looking for their precinct, or in need of an address change, should do so immediately.
“Don’t wait until Election Day,” Collins said. “Get your information updated now to find out where you vote.”
For more information about elections, candidates, early voting, mail ballots or precinct locations, contact the Lee County Elections Office at 239-LEE-VOTE (533-8683) or visit: lee.vote.
The following will be on the ballot for the Nov. 8 general election:
President and Vice President
Donald J. Trump and Michael R. Pence (Republican)
Hillary Rodham Clinton and Timothy Michael Kaine (Democrat)
Gary Johnson and Bill Weld (Libertarian)
Darrell L. Castle and Scott N. Bradley (Constitution)
Jill Stein and Ajamu Baraka (Green)
Roque “Rocky” De La Fuente and Michael Steinberg (Reform)
Write-in
U.S. Senator
Basil E. Dalack (No Party Affiliation)
Jon Friend (write-in)
Robert Samuel Kaplan (write-in)
Tony Khoury (No Party Affiliation)
Howard Knepper (write-in)
Steven Machat (No Party Affiliation)
Patrick E. Murphy (Democrat)
Bruce Nathan (No Party Affiliation)
Bradley J. Patrick (write-in)
Marco Rubio (Republican) – incumbent
Paul Stanton (Libertarian)
Charles Frederick Tolbert (write-in)
Angela Marie Walls-Windhauser (write-in)
U.S. Representative
19th Congressional District
David Byron (write-in)
Robert M. Neeld (Democrat)
Francis Rooney (Republican)
Timothy John Rossano (write-in)
State Representative
District 76
Charles Messina (No Party Affiliation)
Ray Rodriguez (Republican)
State Senator
District 27
Lizbeth Benacquisto (Republican)
Dakota Austin Eads (write-in)
Lee County Sheriff
James Didio (No Party Affiliation)
Mike Scott (Republican) – incumbent
Lee County Commissioners
District 3
Larry Kiker (Republican) – incumbent
Eli Zonana (write-in)
District 5
Sonny Haas (No Party Affiliation)
Frank Mann (Republican) – incumbent
Diane Zigrossi (Democrat)
Florida Supreme Court Justices
Shall Justice Charles T. Canady of the Supreme Court be retained in office?
Shall Justice Jorge Labarga of the Supreme Court be retained in office?
Shall Justice Ricky L. Polston of the Supreme Court be retained in office?
Second District Court of Appeal Judges
Shall Judge John Badalamenti of the Second District Court of Appeal be retained in office?
Shall Judge Marva L. Crenshaw of the Second District Court of Appeal be retained in office?
Shall Judge Patricia J. Kelly of the Second District Court of Appeal be retained in office?
Shall Judge Nelly N. Khouzam of the Second District Court of Appeal be retained in office?
Shall Judge Matt Lucas of the Second District Court of Appeal be retained in office?
Shall Judge Robert Morris of the Second District Court of Appeal be retained in office?
Shall Judge Stevan Travis Northcutt of the Second District Court of Appeal be retained in office?
Shall Judge Samuel Salario Jr. of the Second District Court of Appeal be retained in office?
Shall Judge Craig C. Villanti of the Second District Court of Appeal be retained in office?
Shall Judge Douglas Alan Wallace of the Second District Court of Appeal be retained in office?
Lee County Supervisor of Elections (non-partisan)
Tommy Doyle
Sharon L. Harrington – incumbent
Lee County School Board (non-partisan)
District 6*
Don H. Armstrong
Jane Kuckel
District 7*
Cathleen Morgan
Chris Quackenbush
*Districts 6 and 7 are at-large countywide districts. District 6 will be a two-year term; District 7 will be a four-year term.
Lee Memorial Health System Board of Directors (non-partisan)
District 5 (pick two candidates)
Minnie Henry Jackson
Stephanie Meyer – incumbent
Jessica Carter Peer – incumbent
Lee County Mosquito Control District (non-partisan)
Area 1
Ed Brantley
Melissa Dortch – incumbent
Area 7
Jason King
Bruce S. Scott – incumbent
Al Shilling
No. 1 Constitutional Amendment
Article X, Section 29
Rights of electricity consumers regarding solar energy choice
This amendment establishes a right under Florida’s Constitution for consumers to own or lease solar equipment installed on their property to generate electricity for their own use. State and local governments shall retain their abilities to protect consumer rights and public health, safety and welfare, and to ensure that consumers who do not choose to install solar are not required to subsidize the costs of backup power and electric grid access to those who do.
The amendment is not expected to result in an increase or decrease in any revenues or costs to state and local government.
No. 2 Constitutional Amendment
Article X, Section 29
Use of marijuana for debilitating medical conditions
Allows medical use of marijuana for individuals with debilitating medical conditions as determined by a licensed Florida physician. Allows caregivers to assist patients’ medical use of marijuana. The Department of Health shall register and regulate centers that produce and distribute marijuana for medical purposes and shall issue identification cards to patients and caregivers. Applies only to Florida law. Does not immunize violations of federal law or any non-medical use, possession or production of marijuana.
Increased costs from this amendment to state and local governments cannot be determined. There will be additional regulatory costs and enforcement activities associated with the production, sale, use and possession of medical marijuana. Fees may offset some of the regulatory costs. Sales tax will likely apply to most purchases, resulting in a substantial increase in state and local government revenues that cannot be determined precisely. The impact on property tax revenues cannot be determined.
No. 3 Constitutional Amendment
Article VII, Section 6, Article XII
Tax exemption for totally and permanently disabled first responders
Proposing an amendment to the State Constitution to authorize a first responder, who is totally and permanently disabled as a result of injuries sustained in the line of duty, to receive relief from ad valorem taxes assessed on homestead property, if authorized by general law. If approved by voters, the amendment takes effect January 1, 2017.
No. 5 Constitutional Amendment
Article VII, Section 6, Article XII
Homestead tax exemption for certain senior, low-income, long-term residents; determination of just value
Proposing an amendment to the State Constitution to revise the homestead tax exemption that may be granted by counties or municipalities for property with just value less than $250,000 owned by certain senior, low-income, long-term residents to specify that just value is determined in the first tax year the owner applies and is eligible for the exemption. The amendment takes effect January 1, 2017, and applies retroactively to exemptions granted before January 1, 2017.
County Referendum
Conservation 20/20 non-binding referendum
Do you approve of Lee County continuing to use general revenue funds to acquire, restore, improve, and manage land for conservation, surface water management, water quality, water recharge and supply, flood control, wildlife habitat, passive public recreation, and open space purposes, pursuant to Lee County Ordinance 15-08 (commonly known as the Lee County Conservation 20/20 Land Program)?