We’re officially 29 days from the March 19 Florida Presidential Primary and even if you aren’t a Republican, listen up because there may be an election or two for you.
Hey guys, I’m Christie Zizo, your purveyor of political postings for News 6 and ClickOrlando.com.
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Today’s an important day because it’s the first of three voter registration deadline days this year. You have until the end of the night to register to vote in the March 19 presidential primary. It’s a primary for Republican Party members only.
If you’re not a Republican but you want to vote in the primary, you have until the end of today to change your party affiliation. Call your county supervisor of elections office, or go to RegistertoVoteFlorida.gov.
Today is also a good day to check your voter registration and make sure you are active and everything is in order. You can do that at the same website.
But wait, don’t click out just because you’re not a Republican! We’ve got local races too!
The March 19 Voter Guide
Nine Central Florida cities and towns have local elections on March 19 that are open to all voters living in those areas. They are:
- Flagler Beach
- Apopka
- Eatonville
- Edgewood
- Maitland
- Oakland
- Ocoee
- Winter Garden
- Winter Park
We have everything you need to know about voting in these elections and the GOP primary on our website in the March 19 Voter Guide, including requesting a vote-by-mail ballot, how to vote early and on Election Day, and more.
Will we even have a Republican Presidential Primary?
The short answer is yes.
We’re down to only a few candidates in the Republican race for the nomination. The next primary is in South Carolina on Saturday. Former UN Ambassador Nikki Haley is insisting that she is staying in the race against frontrunner and former President Donald Trump through Super Tuesday in March.
But regardless of what happens, she will be on the ballot on March 19 in Florida. So will Trump, Gov. Ron DeSantis, Chris Christie and others.
That’s because the Presidential Preference Primary ballots were certified in December, before a single primary or caucus. So even though many candidates have suspended their campaigns, they will still be on the ballot in Florida.
Those candidates are:
- Ryan Binkley
- Chris Christie - Campaign suspended
- Ron DeSantis - Campaign suspended
- Nikki Haley
- Asa Hutchinson - Campaign suspended
- Vivek Ramaswamy - Campaign suspended
- Donald J. Trump
The state can’t just cancel the election. Vote-by-mail ballots have already gone out. In fact, some supervisors of elections have already gotten ballots back.
Florida is a “winner take all” primary state, which means the winner of the primary will get all the state’s delegates to the Republican National Convention this summer.
Why vote? You can use your vote to send a message — to the Republican Party, to the candidates, to the country. Your vote may be little more than an academic exercise, but it can still send a message.
Key 2024 Election Dates
Here are the big Election Dates for Florida. Put these in your schedule to remember:
Florida Presidential Preference Primary: March 19
- Register to vote deadline: Feb. 20
- Vote-by-mail ballot request deadline: March 7
Only a Republican primary, no Democratic primary, this go around. However, there will be elections for residents of certain cities and towns. We are working on getting a list together and I’ll send out another newsletter when I have it.
2024 Florida Statewide Primary Election: Aug. 20
- Register to vote deadline: July 22
- Vote-by-mail ballot request deadline: Aug. 8
If there are any party primaries for federal, state or local races, they will happen here. Also, any nonpartisan county races will happen here.
2024 General Election: Nov. 5
- Register to vote deadline: Oct. 7
- Vote-by-mail ballot request deadline: Oct. 24
This one’s for all the marbles. All voters welcome.
Have election questions? We have answers
Here’s everything you need to know to vote in Florida in 2024
Want to vote in Florida? Here’s how to register and make sure you are eligible
Planning to vote by mail in Florida this year? Here’s what you need to know
Florida is a closed primary state. Why that matters for primary elections in 2024
Want to run for office in Florida? Here’s how to do it
35 Florida elections myths and misinformation debunked
Have an election question you need answered? Email me at czizo@wkmg.com.