There are four contested circuit judge seats on the ballot on August 14.  All voters in the five-county judicial circuit can vote for each race, no matter where the judge is located. The races are non-partisan.  The Naples Daily News explains.

http://www.naplesnews.com/news/2012/aug/08/four-circuit-judge-seats-collier-lee-county-elect/

Listen to the candidates from a recent Florida Bar forum held in Fort Myers moderated by former Lt. Governor Jeff Kottkamp:

Collier County Supervisor of Elections Jennifer Edwards says she’ll have no problem meeting the Justice Department’s Aug. 15 deadline for election records.

Florida’s Presidential Preference Primary Date Selection Committee meets for the first time on Friday. Its members include former Florida Republican Gov. Bob Martinez. 

Florida’s political leaders want the state to have a more prominent role in the nomination process. The smaller state of Iowa, which kicks off the primary season, holds its caucus Dec. 5 followed by New Hampshire, Nevada and South Carolina. Florida would be the first large state to select a Republican nominee for president.  Martinez said this could set the tone for the rest of the election season.

“It has an impact on the remaining primaries when a large state with a population as diverse as ours - it may make a statement that has an impact on states that have primaries after we do,” he said.

Martinez was a one-term governor serving from 1987 to 1991.  He was followed in office by Democrat Lawton Chiles.  The nominating committee is comprised of a mix of Republicans and Democrats.  It has until Oct. 1 to name its selection of a date for the Presidential Preference Primary. The date will be sometime between the first Tuesday in January and the first Tuesday in March.  

WGCU’s Amy Tardif went to the polls and spoke to voters about their thoughts on Election Day. To watch this video, go to our News Archives Section and then click on the "Watch Video" Button.

In the aftermath of Election Day South Florida’s political landscape isn’t looking all that different. Three Republicans came out victorious after beating back serious challenges. While one Democrat fell victim to scandal. Matt Laslo has this report from Washington.

In light of the Florida election debacle of 2000, the nation was watching closely during yesterday’s general election. The Lee County Supervisor of Elections’ Office was also being observed by Canadian Election Officials. WGCU’s John Davis has more.

African American leaders across southwest Florida are reacting to the election of Barack Obama as the 44th president of the United States. WGCU’s Luis Hernandez reports.

Republican U.S. Congressman Connie Mack kept his seat in District 14 with 59 percent of the vote.
Republican Venice resident Nancy Detert becomes State Senator in District 23. She spent 8 years as a state representative.
Republican Paige Kreegel won Florida House seat district 72, Doug Holder won District 70 and Ken Roberson won District 71. Republican Nick Thompson retained his seat in the state House for District 73.
Bill Cameron is the next Charlotte County Sheriff. And Mike Scott remains Lee County’s Sheriff.
Collier voters passed a referendum to fund schools.
Incumbent U.S. Representative Mario Diaz-Balart, Republican of Miami retained his seat in District 25, which includes eastern Collier County.
Bob Janes, Frank Mann and Ray Judah remain on the Lee County Commission.

High voter turnout and a new optical scan voting system in Florida have led to problems for some local voters. WGCU’s John Davis reports.

Voting right advocates closely watching the election process in Florida say malfunctioning optical scanners remain one of the most prevalent problems. WGCU’s John Davis reports.