Election 2024: Important dates for the primary elections in Florida
Here are important dates to remember for the 2024 Florida primary election.
To help you fill out your ballot for the 2024 primary election, the Naples Daily News interviewed dozens of candidates about their qualifications and positions on the issues facing state and local elections in Collier County.
Here’s a guide for your voters to learn about the candidates and other important information before you cast your vote. Click on the candidates’ links to read how they answered our questions.
Important dates for the primaries
- Saturday, August 10th: Early voting begins daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Saturday, August 17: Last day of early voting
- Tuesday, August 20: Primary election day. Polling stations are open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
What to do with mail-in ballots for the Collier County, Florida primary election?
Here are the races and links to stories about the candidates:
Republican primary in the 26th US Congressional District
The incumbent for this seat, which includes Hialeah west through the Everglades, Everglades City, Lely Resort, Gold Gate, Immokolee and Ave Maria, is running for his 12th term against two other Republicans. The winner of the primary will face Democrat Joey Atkins in the November general election.
The primary candidates
Republican Primary for the 3rd District Committee of the Collier County Commission
Four Republicans are vying for the seat currently held by candidate Burt Saunders. The winner of the primary will face independent candidate Richard Conover in the fall.
The primary candidates
Collier County Commission District 5 Primary Election
Incumbent Bill McDaniel is being challenged by another Republican in this race for the Collier Commission. There is no challenger from any other party, so this election will be decided in the August 20 primary and is open to all Collier voters to cast their ballot.
THE CANDIDATES
Collier County Real Estate Appraiser Area Codes
Collier County will have a new property assessor after the general election. The incumbent, who has held the position since 1991, has decided not to seek re-election. Four Republican candidates, including a 30-year veteran of the assessor’s office, are running in the primary. One hand-write-in candidate has qualified, meaning the August 20 election will be Republican-only.
The primary candidates
Collier County Election Commissioner Republican Primary
Three Republicans are vying for a chance to advance to the general election and eventually take over the position of Collier County Supervisor of Elections. Only Republicans will be able to participate in the primary election because a “ghost candidate” was allowed to run as a write-in candidate, ending the primary. This race was contentious. Read more about it here:
▶ Will the incumbent have the advantage?
▶ Questionable “ghost candidate” joins the fray
▶ Postponed retirement a hot potato in the race for the post of election officer
The primary candidates
Republican primary in the 81st district of the Florida House of Representatives
Republicans living in the 81st District can participate in this race for the Florida House of Representatives seat, which pits two Marco Island residents against each other. The district stretches from Naples Park east of Golden Gate south through Marco and includes Goodland and Isles of Capri. It is bordered to the east by Collier Boulevard/County Road 951. The winner of the seat will not be decided until the general election, when the Republican winner faces Democrat Charles Work.
The primary candidates
Collier County School District 2 Nonpartisan Primary
Two of the five seats on the Collier School Board are up for election this year: Districts 2 and 4. They represent districts but are elected as a whole. District 2 includes Aubrey Rodgers and Barron Collier High Schools, as well as three elementary schools and two middle schools. The District 2 race pits the incumbent against a challenger. The winner of the primary election wins the seat. All Collier voters can cast a vote in these nonpartisan school board elections.
THE CANDIDATES
Collier School District 4 Nonpartisan Elementary School
The primary between these two candidates will decide who wins the seat in this non-partisan race between the incumbent and a challenger. This district includes Naples High School, Lorenzo Walker Technical High School and College, and several elementary and middle schools. The seat is an at-large election, so all Collier voters can cast a ballot in this election.
Starring: Laura Layden, Liz Freeman, J. Kyle Foster, Kendall Little