Florida Primary August 20: Your Vote Matters!

Closed primaries, critical races, and how to register for November 5.

We have the Florida primary coming up on August 20, 2024, and the general election on November 5, 2024. Florida has closed primaries, but even so, you’ll be able to vote on many things and people no matter where you are in the state and whether or not you are registered to vote registered to vote Republican or Democrat. Your area may have an important question that needs to be answered before the voters in your area. Various nonpartisan races could be happening in your districts/precinct, and you may be a Republican or Democrat who has candidates that need your approval to move forward in the general election this November.

For example, Republicans will decide which Republican candidate will face off with the Democratic Party’s, Libertarian Party’s, and the NPA (no party affiliation) candidates for the U.S. Senate in November. Many judges, such as school board candidates, are likely on your ballot this primary season. Every Florida voter will have something or someone to vote for this August 20th. Although the voter registration books have closed for the primary in August, you still have time to register for the November general election. To look up your personal voter information, you can go here: https://dos.fl.gov/elections/for-voters/check-your-voter-status-and-polling-place/. You can also look up your personal sample ballot (for your precinct) here: https://www.votebrevard.gov/Voter-Information/Find-Your-Precinct. 

The Florida Department of State's voter turnout data shows varied participation across different election years. Presidential election years typically see higher voter turnout, with the general elections in such years often reaching 70-77%. Conversely, gubernatorial election years and primary elections generally experience lower turnout, often below 50%. After the primary, we’ll cover, in more detail, the candidates who will be on the ballot for all Floridians to vote for in the general. If you wish to vote in the general election on November 5, 2024, it is important to register no later than October 7th.

According to Statista, inflation, healthcare, immigration, and the economy are key issues with voters this year. It should be interesting to see how candidates vie for votes in Florida and nationally in the presidential election.