Election qualifying for local races begins Monday
The official window will soon open for those seeking local office in the November election.
According to Lee County Elections, the qualifying period for candidates for county, school board, multi-county and independent special district races is June 13 at noon through June 17 at noon.
Candidates were able to begin pre-qualifying on May 30.
In Cape Coral, there are four City Council races in 2022, with a primary taking place Aug. 23 and the General Election on Nov. 8.
Upcoming Cape Coral races include:
• Mayor of Cape Coral
The non-partisan seat is a four-year term from 2022-26. As of June 7, incumbent John Gunter and Thomas Shadrach had announced their candidacy, according to the City Clerk.
• District 1 Councilmember
This non-partisan race will decide a four-year term from 2022-26. Incumbent Gloria Tate at this time has not announced she will run again. Candidates as of June 7 include Carol Rae Culliton and William “Bill” Steinke.
• District 4 Councilmember
The non-partisan race will decide a four-year term from 2022-26. Incumbent Jennifer Nelson is again running, as is Patty Cummings.
• District 6 Councilmember
This non-partisan race is a four-year term from 2022-26. Wayne Hecht and Keith Long have announced their candidacy according to the City Clerk.
Lee County races:
• Lee County Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller
The seat is a four-year term from 2022-26. As of June 3, incumbent Republican Clerk Kevin Karnes and Republican Liza King had announced their candidacies, according to Lee County Elections.
• Lee County Board of County Commissioners: Districts 2 and 4
Both seats are four-year terms from 2022-26. As of June 3, incumbent Republican Commissioner Cecil L. Pendergrass and Democrat Jared Wray had announced their candidacies for the District 1 seat, according to Lee County Elections. In addition, incumbent Republican District 4 Commissioner Brian Hamman had announced his candidacy.
• Lee County School Board: Districts 1 and 6
Both seats are four-year terms from 2022-26. District 1 is elected by its district, and District 6 is elected at-large countywide.
As of June 3, Christine DeVigili, Kathy Fanny, Sam Fisher and Cathy Stout had announced their candidacies for the District 1 seat, according to Lee County Elections. In addition, Tia Collin, Jada Langford-Fleming, Denise Nystrom and Dave Semreen had announced their candidacies for the District 6 seat.
Districts 4 and 5 are also on the ballot, but they not at-large.
Lee County School Board members are non-partisan officeholders.
The following are additional special district races that will be on the ballot:
• Lee County Mosquito Control District: Areas 2, 4 and 6
All three seats are four-year terms from 2022-26. As of June 3, incumbent Area 2 Commissioner Brian F. Farrar, incumbent Area 4 Commissioner Stephen “Steve” R. Bowen and incumbent Area 6 Commissioner Tom Hart had announced their candidacies, according to Lee County Elections.
• Lee Memorial Health System (two serve per district): Districts 2 and 4
Both seats are four-year terms from 2022-26. As of June 3, incumbent District 2 Board Members Donna Clark and Nancy M. McGovern had announced their candidacies, according to Lee County Elections. In addition, Dane Allen had announced his candidacy for the District 4 seat.
• Lee Memorial Health System (two serve per district): District 3
The seat is a two-year term from 2022-24. As of June 3, William “Bill” Ribble had announced his candidacy, according to Lee County Elections.
All independent special district offices are non-partisan.
Early voting for 2022 primary elections starts Aug. 13 and runs each day from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. until Aug. 20. Early voting for the general election starts Oct. 24 and runs each day from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. until Nov. 5. Florida is a closed primary election state. As such, only voters who are registered members of political parties may vote for respective party candidates or nominees for an office during a primary election.
Any Florida resident who is eligible to vote or is already registered to vote in Florida may use the online voter registration form to submit an application, update an existing registration or prefill an application form to print and deliver to the Supervisor of Elections office.
Users will need a Florida driver’s license or state identification card and the last four digits of their Social Security number to complete and submit the voter registration application electronically. Once an individual’s identity is verified and the application is deemed complete, a voter information card will be issued by a Supervisor of Elections office.
To find a full list of candidates, races and more information on voting in Lee County, visit www.lee.vote.
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