Grace McAlister
Reporter1@riverbendnews.org
Early voting for the primary election has begun, with voters soon getting a chance to choose their political party bearers for three state races and outright picking a winner in at least one of three local races.
Voters will find a subtle change in the voting process when they go to cast early votes at the elections office this primary; subtle enough to be almost imperceptible to the average person. That change – implemented in the interest of lowering cost and avoiding waste – entails the on-the-spot printing of ballots on demand. Meaning that the elections office will only print a ballot when a citizen is present and prepared to vote, or if a ballot is requested by mail.
Once a citizen shows proof of ID, a ballot will be printed and handed to them to vote. This will save money and reduce wastage. In the past, the elections office ordered the ballots printed in bulk, which resulted in unused ballots being discarded after elections, notwithstanding their printing cost. This will no longer be an issue with the new process.
In Suwannee County, early voting began on Monday, Aug. 8 and runs through Saturday, Aug. 20. In Hamilton County, early voting will begin Saturday, August 13, and will continue through Saturday, Aug. 20. In Lafayette County, early voting began Monday, Aug. 8 and runs through Saturday, Aug. 20. Election day is Tuesday, Aug. 23, for Primary elections and Saturday, Sept. 8, for General elections for all three counties.
In Suwannee County, there are three offices that candidates are running for: District 2 County Commissioner, District 4 County Commissioner and Suwannee County Judge. Running for District 2 County Commissioner are Leo Mobley (Rep) and Len Stapleton (Rep). Running for County Commissioner District 2 are Stefan Blue (Dem) and Maurice Perkins (Dem). Running for Suwannee County Judge are Jennifer Kuyrkendall Griffin, Arminda “Mindy” Janousek and Ryan Jennings Peters. For any questions, contact Jennifer Kinsey by phone at (386) 362-2616, fax (386) 364-5185 or email jkinsey@suwanneevotes.com.
There are 16 voting precincts in Suwannee County. These precincts are: John Hale Park, Live Oak Church of God, Community Presbyterian Church, the Suwannee County Coliseum, Live Oak Christian Church, Luraville Community Church, Mt. Gilead Baptist Church, Rocky Sink Baptist Church, Jo Kennon Public Library, McAlpin Community Center, O’Brien Baptist Church, Wellborn Masonic Lodge, Hatch Park Community Center, Clayland Recreational Center, Pinegrove Methodist Church and Anchor Baptist Church.
In Hamilton County, there are five offices candidates are running for: District 2 County Commissioner, District 4 County Commissioner, School Board Member District 1, School Board Member District 4 and School Board Member District 5. Running for District 2 County Commissioner are Hal Goodin (Rep), Robby Roberson (Rep) and Josh Smith (Rep). Running for District 4 County Commissioner are Travis Erixton (Rep), Scott Gay (NPA) and Kenny B. Morgan (Dem). Running for School Board Member District 1 are Phillip “P.J.” Jackson and Cheryl Deas McCall. Running for School Board Member District 4 are Jamie Bowen Sr., Johnny Bullard and Larry D. Ogburn. Running for School Board Member District 5 are Sammy McCoy, Cassin O’Cain and Suezette Wiggins.
Hamilton County residents can vote at the Supervisor of Elections office, located at 1153 US Hwy 41 NW, Suite 1, in Jasper. For any questions, contact Supervisor of Elections Laura Hutto by phone at (386) 792-1426 or email elect@hamiltonvotesfl.gov. There are eight voting precincts in Hamilton County. These precincts are: Jennings City Hall, the Jasper Courthouse, White Springs Library, the Jasper Civic Center, Bright Pond Fellowship Hall, Genoa Volunteer Fire Department, Belville Volunteer Fire Department and the Cross Roads.
In Lafayette County, there are two offices candidates are running for: District 2 County Commissioner and School Board Member District 3. Running for District 2 County Commissioner are Mason E. Byrd (Rep) and Henry McCray (Rep). Running for School Board Member District 3 are Scott Jackson, Marion McCray and Mary Anne Koon McCray.
Lafayette County residents can vote at the Supervisor of Elections office, located at 120 W Main St., in Room 207. For any questions, contact Travis Hart by phone at (386) 294-1261, fax (386) 294-2164 or email travis@lafayettevotes.com. There are five voting precincts in Lafayette County. These precincts are as follows: Day Community Center, Mayo Community Center- District 2, Airline Community Center, Fourth District Community Center, Mayo Community Center District 5.
At the state level, voters will get to pick their candidate of choice in three races, depending on the voter’s party affiliation. The three races that will appear on the primary ballot are governor, attorney general and agriculture commissioner.
In the governor’s race, Democrats will have three choices to pick from, including Charlie Crist, Cadance Daniel and Nicole “Nikki” Fried. The winner here will face incumbent Ron DeSantis and Jodi Jeloudov in November.
In the Attorney General race, Democrats will also have three choices, including Aramis Ayala, Jim Lewis and Daniel Uhlfelder. The winner here will face Ashley Moody in November.
In the Agriculture Commissioner race, both Democrat and Republican voters will have choices. The three Democratic candidates are Naomi Blemur, J. R. Gaillot and Ryan Morales. For Republicans, the choice is between candidates James Shaw and Wilton Simpson.
Sample ballots were mailed to voters after the closing of the books for the primary election on Monday, July 25.