Danny Federico
reporter3.riverbendnews@gmail.com
With a presidential general election now barely 10 months away, interest in the electoral process is beginning to perk up, preparatory to the grand finale of the general election on Nov. 5. With that in mind, the following are some important dates to keep in mind, according to the Suwannee, Hamilton and Lafayette County Elections Offices.
Tuesday, Feb. 20, which was the deadline for voter registration and party affiliation changes. The next important day is Saturday, March 9, when early voting will begin for the presidential preference primary. Early voting will run daily from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. between Saturday, March 9 and Saturday, March 16, at the elections offices.
The presidential preference primary, when voters get to choose the standard bearer for their political party, will be on Tuesday, March 19, with the book for this election closing on Tuesday, Feb. 20. The Then will come the general election on Tuesday, Nov. 5, with early voting and registration times to be announced. Citizens are reminded that, per state law, anyone wanting to vote-by-mail must request a ballot even if they voted by mail in the previous election. The request must be made to the local elections supervisor no later than 12 days prior to the election.
In terms of local elections, Suwannee and Hamilton Counties each have nine seats up for election, while Lafayette County has 11.
Hamilton County
In Hamilton County, seats open for election in November include Property Appraiser, Tax Collector, Sheriff, Supervisor of Elections, County Commissioner Districts 1, 3 and 5, School Board District 3 and County Judge.
In the race for Property Appraiser are Bill Erixton (REP) and Clay Goolsby (REP).
Leslie Jones (REP) and Charlene C. Robinson (NPA) are going up against each other for the position of Tax Collector.
Five candidates are listed for the position of Sheriff. They include Mike Cohen (IND), Brian S. Creech (REP), Justin Luckette (NPA), LJ Smith, Jr. (REP) and Anthony Williams (NPA).
Incumbent Laura Hutto (REP) is seeking another term as the Supervisor of Elections. She is, thus far, unopposed.
Similarly, incumbent Jimmy Murphy (REP) is the only candidate listed for the seat of County Commissioner District 1.
For the seat of County Commissioner District 3, James Howell (DEM) and Tyron White (DEM) will be going head to head.
Three candidates are running for the seat of County Commissioner District 5, including incumbent Richie McCoy (REP). He is opposed by Jason Cribbs (REP) and Billy Willis (REP).
Unopposed for School Board District 3 is incumbent Saul Speights (NON).
Then, in the most anticipated election, Sheena Rickerson (NON) is going up against incumbent Jamie Tyndal (NON) for the seat of County Judge.
Suwannee County
In Suwannee County, seats open for election in November include Clerk of Circuit Court, Sheriff, Superintendent of Schools, Supervisor of Elections, Tax Collector, County Commissioner Districts 3 and 5 and School Board Districts 1 and 2.
So far, Barry Baker (REP) is running unopposed for the seat of Clerk of Circuit Court.
Meanwhile, five candidates are listed as campaigning for the position of Sheriff. These include Eric Gilbert (NPA), Fred Martin, Jr. (WRI), Jason Rountree (REP), Sam St. John (REP) and Harry Kin Weaver, Jr. (NPA).
Going head to head for the seat of Superintendent of Schools are Janene Fitzpatrick (WRI) and Ronnie Gray (REP).
Incumbent Jennifer Kinsey (REP) is seeking another term as the Supervisor of Elections. So far, she is unopposed.
Jennifer Burnham Holtzclaw (REP) is going up against incumbent Sharon W. Jordan (REP) for the position of Tax Collector.
For County Commissioner District 3, the only listed candidate is incumbent Travis Land (REP).
Going up against incumbent Franklin White (REP) for the position of County Commissioner District 5 is Kevin Williams (REP).
Three candidates are listed for the seat of School Board District 1. They include Douglas Aukerman (NP), Lesley Fry (NP) and Adam Hitt (NP).
Running unopposed for School Board District 2 is incumbent Norman Crawford (NP).
Lafayette County
The 11 seats open for election in Lafayette County include Clerk of Circuit Court, Sheriff, Property Appraiser, Tax Collector, Superintendent of Schools, Supervisor of Elections, County Commissioner Districts 1, 3 and 5 and School Board Districts 2 and 4.
As of Tuesday, Feb. 27, only three candidates are noted on the Lafayette County Supervisor of Elections website as having filed to run.
So far, incumbent Robby Edwards (REP) is running unopposed for the seat of Superintendent of Schools.
For the position of Sheriff, Fred Harrison Allen, Jr. (REP) is going up against incumbent Brian Lamb (REP).
The deadline for candidates to qualify by petition is noon on Monday, May 13. For the other candidates, the qualification period is from noon on June 10 through noon on June 14. Qualification is when individuals officially declare their candidacies, pay the appropriate fees, open campaign accounts, and complete the paperwork and other necessary requirements. For a view of the Florida Voter Guide for the 2024 Election Cycle, visit your local Supervisor of Elections office.
The Hamilton County Supervisor of Elections office is located at 1153 NW US Hwy 41, in Jasper and may be reached at (386) 792-1426; the Suwannee County Supervisor of Elections office is located at 302 SW Pine Ave., in Live Oak and may be reached at (386) 362-2516; and the Lafayette County Supervisor of Elections office is located at 120 W Main St., room 207, in Mayo and may be reached at (386) 294-1261.next important day is Tuesday, Aug. 20, which is the primary election for the selection of candidates, with the last day to register or change party affiliation for this election being Monday, July 22.