Southwest Floridians head to the polls for Primary Election Day

Published: Updated:
Election clerks in Collier County pick up ballots Credit: WINK News

Southwest Floridians are weighing in on some big primary races, including who takes on Gov. Ron DeSantis and Sen. Marco Rubio in November, and many local races on Tuesday.

The Florida Democratic Party primary, for example, will pick between former Gov. Charlie Crist and Agricultural Commissioner Nikki Fried to challenge DeSantis.

In Southwest Florida races, parents will be deciding who sits on their children’s school boards, which judges listen to cases in their communities and which county commissioners fight for the issues important to them.

Local election officials say Election Day 2022 is more important than some people realize.

“It’s important for voters to come and cast a ballot, whether vote-by-mail or in person, because everyone has the right to vote, and there’s always something for everyone to vote for on every ballot,” said Grace VanderMolen, a Collier County Election Clerk.

WINK News caught up with some early voters who say they know a lot is riding on their ballots.

“I have never been so depressed about voting in my life,” said Lee County voter Dr. Carol Cron. “I am constantly watching different channels on the news and I feel like there is a cloud over this election and I just can’t get out from underneath it, and my friends feel the same way. To me this election is about ‘Do you want to maintain a democracy, or do you not want to maintain a democracy?’ That’s the only thing riding on this ballot. Everything else, to me, is superficial.”

Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Below are links to your local supervisor of elections’ website to find your polling location or check your ballot:

Copyright ©2024 Fort Myers Broadcasting. All rights reserved.

This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed without prior written consent.