The 2020 primary and general elections are fast approaching, and the Greater Naples Chamber and the Leadership Collier Foundation want to ensure its members and alumni are informed when they head to the ballot box.Dates to Remember2020 Primary Election
The 2020 primary is Tuesday, Aug. 18. The last day to register to vote or change party affiliation before the primary is Monday, July 20. The last day to request a vote-by-mail ballot is 5 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 8. Vote-by-mail ballots must returned to the Supervisor of Elections Office before 7 p.m. on the day of the election. Early voting runs from Saturday, Aug. 8 until Saturday, Aug. 15 in Collier and Lee counties. Voters can only vote in the county in which they are registered. Florida is a closed primary state, which means only registered Democrats and Republicans can vote in their party’s primary. Several races on the ballot, such as the Clerk of Courts race, are considered universal primaries, because no member of an opposing party or with no party affiliation qualified to run. 2020 General Election
Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 3. The last day to register to vote or change party affiliation before Election Day is Monday, Oct. 5. The last day to request a vote-by-mail ballot is Saturday, Oct. 24. Vote-by-mail ballots must returned to the Supervisor of Elections Office before 7 p.m. on the day of the election. Early voting runs from Monday, Oct. 19 until Saturday, Oct. 31 in Collier and Lee counties. Voters can only vote in the county in which they are registered. Collier County Commission District 1For the first time in two decades, East Naples residents will have a new representative on the Collier Board of County Commissioners. Commissioner Donna Fiala announced last year her plans to retire at the end of her current term.
The Greater Naples Chamber met with the three Republicans – Mark Batchelor, William Douglass and Rick LoCastro – vying for their party’s nomination in August to discuss their priorities and vision for the future. The winner of the August primary will face Democrat John Jenkins in November. The Greater Naples Chamber does not endorse candidates.
Collier Clerk of Courts and ComptrollerIncumbent Clerk of Courts Crystal Kinzel will face James Molenaar in August. Since a candidate from an opposing party did not qualify for the election, the August election will serve as a universal primary. All registered voters in Collier County are eligible to vote in the election, and the winner will be sworn in as Clerk of Courts and Comptroller later this year.
The Greater Naples Chamber does not endorse candidates.
Southwest Florida Alliance of ChambersThe Greater Naples Chamber is a member of the Southwest Florida Alliance of Chambers, a coalition of Collier and Lee chambers of commerce committed to serving as a catalyst for positive change impacting business, environment and tourism. Founded in the wake of the 2018 water crisis, the organization advocates at the local, state and federal levels to improve Southwest Florida’s quality of life.
The Southwest Florida Alliance of Chambers met with candidates running in several Collier and Lee county elections to discuss their priorities as it relates to the business, the economy and water quality. Neither the Greater Naples Chamber nor the alliance endorse candidates. Congressional District 19 The Southwest Florida Alliance of Chambers interviewed the 10 Republicans and two Democrats vying to replace Rep. Francis Rooney in the U.S. House. The district includes coastal Collier County and most of Lee County. Candidates for US Representative District 19:
Florida House District 80
The Southwest Florida Alliance of Chambers interviewed the three Republicans vying to replace Rep. Byron Donalds in Florida House District 80. The district includes eastern Collier County and Hendry County. The winner of the Aug. 18 primary will face Democrat Laura Novosad in November. Novosad did not respond to a request for an interview. Candidate for State Representative District 80:
Collier County Public Schools Tax Referendum
The Greater Naples Chamber strongly supports the Collier County Public School's tax-neutral referendum on the Aug. 18 primary ballot. This referendum provides the school district the flexibility it. needs to ensure that our students continue to receive a high-quality and well-rounded education without increasing taxes. At the Chamber, we work each day to provide economic opportunity to all our community members. We cannot do that without a thriving school system. If approved by the voters on Aug. 18, this referendum will give Collier County Public Schools the resources it needs to guarantee students are career and life ready. For more information, visit collierschools.com/referendum. Electioneering Policy
The Greater Naples Chamber of Commerce and the Leadership Collier Foundation encourage its members and alumni to be informed, engaged and involved in local, regional and state government. However, electioneering activities in support of, or in opposition to, a candidate or cause, unless related to a previously stated Chamber position, is prohibited at Chamber or Leadership events, including, but not limited to, Wake Up Naples, Business After 5 and Leadership Lunches. The Chamber and the Leadership Collier Foundation also prohibits paid or unpaid electioneering communications in support of, or in opposition to, a candidate or cause, unless related to a previously stated Chamber position, from being placed on its social media, websites or newsletters. |
|
