Elections

The 2026 elections are quickly approaching, and the Greater Naples Chamber is committed to making sure the business community is informed and engaged during this election cycle. 

Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 3. 

There’s no reason for community members not to cast a vote in this election. From vote-by-mail and early voting opportunities to showing up at your designated polling place on election day, Collier County voters have plenty of opportunities to let their voice be heard.

Key Dates

The 2026 election is Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026. Here are some key dates to keep in mind ahead of Election Day: 

• Last Day to Register to Vote: Oct. 5
• Vote by Mail Ballot Mailings: Sept. 24 through Oct. 24
• Last Day to Request a Vote by Mail Ballot: 5 p.m., Oct. 22
• Early Voting: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Oct. 22 through Oct. 31

Primary Election Results

The 2026 primary is in the books, setting the stage for the Nov. 3 general election. 

Turnout in Collier County was approximately 26%, with 61,199 voters casting a ballot in the August 2026 primary. That was slightly higher than the statewide turnout numbers, which the Florida Division of Elections reported was approximately 25%. 

Local results:

• Liesa Priddy defeated Bill Poteet in the Republican primary for Florida House District 82, receiving 58% of the vote. Priddy will now face Arthur Boyer in the Nov. 3 general election. 
• Collier County Commissioner Daniel Kowal received nearly 71% of the vote, or 8,957 votes, in the universal primary for Collier Board of County Commissioners. With no general election opponent, Kowal secured another four-year term on the Collier BCC. 
• In School Board District 5, incumbent Timothy Moshier received nearly 70% of the vote, securing another term on the school board. Jeff Donaldson in School Board District 1 and incumbent Kelly Mason in District 3 were previously re-elected without opposition.
• Marco Island voters proved that every vote counts, approving a bond referendum to pay for road and bridge repairs by just one vote. According to the Collier Supervisor of Elections, the referendum passed with 2,259 votes in favor of the referendum and 2,258 votes against. 
• In Everglades City, 69% of voters agreed to expand the Collier Control District boundaries to include Everglades City. The vote clears the way for state legislative action to amend the boundaries. Voters living the Greater Naples Fire Rescue District agreed to residents living in the district should elect all five fire commissioners, with 59% of voters agreeing to the change. Meanwhile, City of Naples voters rejected a referendum that would have allowed Naples City Council to adjust salaries based on a seven-member committee’s recommendations, requiring Council to hold a referendum every time the committee recommends a salary increase.

On the Ballot

From state legislative seats to the school board, Collier County voters will have the opportunity to have their say in several key races this August. However, it’s important to note: Florida is a closed primary state, which means only people registered within a political party can vote in their respective party’s primary. All registered voters can cast a ballot in nonpartisan races, such as the school board.

For more information or to see your sample ballot, visit CollierVotes.gov

Ballot Initiatives

Amendment 3
In June 2026, the Florida Legislature approved placing an amendment on the November 2026 general election ballot aimed at providing property tax relief to Florida property owners. If approved by 60% of Florida voters, the amendment would: 

• Provide a new homestead exemption for non-school taxes only for the first $150,000 of assessed value of homesteaded properties in 2027 and the first $250,000 of assessed value in 2028 and subsequent years.
• Create a five-year homestead exemption on the first $50,000 of assessed value of homestead properties -- $25,000 for school levies, $50,000 for non-school levies – for property owners who aren’t permanent residents as of Dec. 31, 2026. These property owners would receive the increased exemption after five years.
• Require the Legislature to prescribe a uniform procedure for certain local governments to increase the amount of assessed value exempt from taxes.
• Reduce non-homestead property assessment increase limitation from 10% to 5% per year.
• Limit the use of ad valorem revenue by counties and municipalities to specific purposes. 

The ballot title and language is below: 

CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT
ARTICLE VII, SECTIONS 4, 6, AND 9
ARTICLE XII
INCREASED HOMESTEAD EXEMPTION; LOWER CAP ON INCREASES IN NON-HOMESTEAD PROPERTY ASSESSMENTS. —

This amendment increases the homestead exemption, for all non-school taxes, to $150,000 in 2027 and $250,000 in 2028, and adjusts for inflation thereafter. It requires the Legislature to prescribe a uniform procedure for counties and municipalities, for their respective levies, to increase the homestead exemption up to full assessed value, and allows special districts, subject to referendum approval, to do the same.

Persons who are not Florida residents on December 31, 2026, will receive the existing homestead exemption upon qualifying for a homestead exemption, with the increased homestead exemption beginning with the fifth year of exemption, to the extent permitted by the U.S. Constitution.
This amendment reduces the annual cap on assessment increases for non-homestead properties from 10% to 5%.

This amendment requires counties and municipalities to use property taxes solely for public safety, education and schools, infrastructure, natural resources, bond debt service, retirement benefits for employees, and operations and administration. Other expenditures may be approved by county officers or county or municipal governing bodies unless prohibited by general law, notwithstanding Article VII, Section 9(a) of the Florida Constitution, which allows counties and municipalities to levy property taxes for their respective purposes.

This amendment takes effect January 1, 2027.[4]

The Greater Naples Chamber has not taken a position on the property tax referendum. 

Collier County Tourist Development Tax Increase

In August, the Collier Board of County Commissioners agreed to move forward with placing an initiative on the November 2026 general election ballot to increase the tourist development tax. If approved by Collier County voters, the tourist development tax would increase from 5% to 6%, with a portion of the additional funds being set aside to complete the construction of athletic fields at the Paradise Coast Sports Complex.

The ballot language is below:
Shall Collier County Ordinance __ be approved authorizing Collier County to levy and collect an additional one percent Tourist Development Tax from all short-term rentals in order to provide additional revenue to fund promotion, related infrastructure improvements, and other authorized uses as set forth in Section 125.0104, Florida Statutes.

______ FOR THE INCREASE IN THE TOURIST DEVELOPMENT TAX
______ AGAINST THE INCREASE IN THE TOURIST DEVELOPMENT TAX

Understanding the important role that tourism plays in our community, the Greater Naples Chamber supports the initiative to increase the tourist development tax increase. 

Resources

Access helpful voting and election resources to stay informed and prepared throughout the election process. 

Lee County voters can find more information, such as how to request a ballot or where to find early voting locations, at Lee.Vote.