Today’s the deadline to register to vote in time for next month’s primary election. Election supervisors from around Southwest Florida are preparing for an onslaught of people to register by tonight. Anyone older than 18 without a felony conviction is eligible to cast a ballot in the September 5th primary. Some races such as judges’ contests, county commissioners and school board seats could be decided next month. Collier County chief deputy elections supervisor Gary Beauchamp (BO-shah-mp) says the reason to vote is a simple one.

“So it runs the whole field of elected officials that represent each one of us...whether we’re registered or not but only the people that are registered to vote have the ability to make that choice. And so it does help to make your voice heard by casting your vote.”

The Collier County elections office will remain open until midnight to give its residents maximum time to register to vote or change their party affiliations.

-----


If you want to vote in next month’s primary election and haven’t registered, today is the deadline to do so. Election supervisors are expecting thousands of would-be voters to register today all throughout Southwest Florida. In Collier County, the elections office will stay open until midnight. Collier deputy elections supervisor Gary Beauchamp says about half of the county’s residents are registered to vote.

“Nationally and historically, it’s about 55% of the population in any given place that is registered to vote. So we are close to that 55% mark. I would certainly like it to be 60 or 70%. It has increased over the years because our younger people are staying here that are turning 18.”

The primary is September 5th. Voters will choose their party’s candidates for governor and other statewide positions. Locally, many school board seats and county commission races could be decided during the primary.