County commission, county sheriff and school board races are just some of the seats up for grabs in Marion County for the statewide primary on Aug. 20.
While the election is set up to determine which political party candidates for office will advance to the general election in November, there are races for nonpartisan candidates as well, particularly at the local levels. The winners of those races will affect your day-to-day life, setting local budgets, deciding school policy and setting local taxes.
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Here’s what you need to know.
[RESULTS 2024: Election info | How your vote is counted | Myths and Facts]
When, where and how to vote
Early voting: Saturday, Aug. 10 through Saturday, Aug. 17. Early voting sites are open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Sunday. Find a polling place.
Voting by mail: You have until Thursday, Aug. 8 to request a vote-by-mail ballot through the Marion County Supervisor of Elections office. Your ballot must be in by Tuesday, Aug. 20 at 7 p.m. Request a ballot and check your ballot’s status HERE.
On Election Day: Polls are open Tuesday, Aug. 20 from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. You must go to your assigned polling place, which is designated based on the address you have on file with the elections office. Find all the information you need HERE.
What races are on the ballot
These are races you may find on the ballot in Marion County, depending on your party affiliation. To find out what will be on your specific ballot, look up your sample ballot on the county supervisor of elections website.
U.S. Senate
REPUBLICAN PRIMARY
DEMOCRATIC PRIMARY
U.S. House
DISTRICT 3 REPUBLICAN PRIMARY
DISTRICT 6 REPUBLICAN PRIMARY
Florida House
NOTE: There is a Florida Senate District 9 race, as well as Florida House races in Districts 23 and 24. Those races did not require primaries and will be held in November. In Florida House District 21, incumbent State Rep. Yvonne Hayes Hinson was reelected without opposition.
DISTRICT 20 REPUBLICAN PRIMARY
DISTRICT 27 REPUBLICAN PRIMARY
County Races
NOTE: In several races, candidates faced no opposition and therefore automatically elected. They are Clerk of Court/Comptroller Greg Harrell, Property Appraiser Jimmy Cowan, Tax Collector George J. Albright III, Supervisor of Elections Wesley Wilcox, District 5 County Commissioner Michelle Stone, School Board Member District 2 Lori Conrad, and county judges Tommy Thompson and Robert E. Landt.
MARION COUNTY SHERIFF UNIVERSAL PRIMARY
- Milton Simmons Busby Jr.: Website
- Billy Woods (incumbent): We have not found a campaign website for Woods yet, however he did fill out a survey on the Voter411 website, hosted by the League of Women Voters.
NEWS 6 COVERAGE:
COUNTY COMMISSION DISTRICT 1 UNIVERSAL PRIMARY
- Craig Curry (incumbent): Facebook page
- Sarah Almeida Dennis: Website
COUNTY COMMISSION DISTRICT 3 REPUBLICAN PRIMARY
- David M. Blackwell: Facebook page
- Matt McClain (incumbent): Website
SCHOOL BOARD DISTRICT 1
Town of Reddick
Read about the town council in Reddick and why the whole council resigned last December.
MAYOR
- Bob Law
- John R. Vetter
Neither candidate has a website, however both candidates did fill out the surveys on the Voter411 website, hosted by the League of Women Voters.
Councilman Seat 3
- Kim Law
- Patricia Vetter
Neither candidate has a website, however both candidates did fill out the surveys on the Voter411 website, hosted by the League of Women Voters.
Councilman Seat 4
- Kathryn Leskosky
- Shirley Levon Youmans
Florida Fifth Circuit Court
NOTE: You can find more information about the candidates on the Florida Bar’s Voter Guide.
GROUP 7 JUDGE
GROUP 13 JUDGE
GROUP 20 JUDGE
Ben Boylston: Facebook page
Barbara E. Kissner Kwatkosky: Website
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