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Candidate qualifying concludes: Ballot slate is in

By CJ HADDAD - | Jun 17, 2022

The window has now closed 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 ended at noon today.

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 noon Friday, incumbent John Gunter and Thomas Shadrach had qualified, according to the City Clerk.

District 1 Councilmember

This non-partisan race will decide a four-year term from 2022-26. Incumbent Gloria Tate has announced she will not run again. Candidates that have qualified as of the noon deadline on Friday include Carol Rae Culliton, William “Bill” Steinke, Ally Wharton and Jean Pierre Etcheverry Jr.

District 4 Councilmember

The non-partisan race will decide a four-year term from 2022-26. Incumbent Jennifer Nelson has qualified as of the noon Friday deadline, as has Patty Cummings and Joshua Clark.

District 6 Councilmember

This non-partisan race is a four-year term from 2022-26. Wayne Hecht and incumbent Keith Long have qualified as of the Friday deadline, according to the City Clerk.

Cape Coral City Council members, including the mayor, are elected at-large, meaning everyone can cast a ballot regardless of the district in which they live.

Lee County races:

Lee County Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller

The seat is a four-year term from 2022-26. As of the Friday deadline, incumbent Republican Clerk Kevin and Republican Liza King had qualified, 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 Friday’s deadline, incumbent Republican Commissioner Cecil L. Pendergrass had qualified in District 2. The race also has a write-in, Karen Watson, according to Lee County Elections. In addition, incumbent Republican District 4 Commissioner Brian Hamman qualified, as has Jim Sheets as a write-in.

Lee County School Board: Districts 1, 4, 5 and 6

School Board seats are four-year terms from 2022-26.

District 1, 4 and 5 seats are elected by voters within that particular district. District 6 is elected at-large countywide, meaning everyone can cast a ballot regardless of the district in which they live.

As of Friday’s deadline, Tia Collin, Denise Nystrom, Jade Langford-Fleming had qualified for the District 6 seat. Dave Semreen remained listed as announced.

Christine DeVigili, Kathy Fanny, Sam Fisher, and Cathy Stout had qualified in District 1, according to Lee County Elections.

Qualified for District 4 as of Friday at noon is Jason “Big Mama” Jones, incumbent Debbie Jordan, Dan Severson, and Geraldine “Gerri” Ware.

Qualified in District 5 are incumbent Gwynetta Gittens, and Armor D. Persons.

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 Friday’s deadline, incumbent Area 2 Commissioner Brian F. Farrar, incumbent Area 4 Commissioner Stephen “Steve” R. Bowen and incumbent Area 6 Commissioner Tom Hart have qualified for the election, 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 Friday, incumbent District 2 Board Members Donna Clark and Nancy M. McGovern have qualified for the election, according to Lee County Elections. In District 4 as of Friday’s deadline, incumbent Diane Champion had qualified, along with Dane Allen, Randy Allen-Scott, and Mary Clouse.

Lee Memorial Health System (two serve per district): District 3

The seats are two-year terms from 2022-24.

In District 3 as of Friday’s deadline, William “Bill” Ribble and David H. Klein had qualified, 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, voters not registered as members of a political party may not get to 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 (ID) 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.

–Connect with this reporter on Twitter: @haddad_cj