ISSUE / 31 / JULY 2026

As your Supervisor of Elections, my goal is to ensure every voter is informed, prepared, and confident before casting a ballot.

Your Primary Election sample ballot is included in this e-newsletter because you are a registered Charlotte County voter with an email address on file. I encourage you to review your sample ballot, make your selections in advance, and bring it with you when voting to help expedite the voting process.

Your ballot style is determined by your residential address and party affiliation. This Primary Election features four ballot styles, and all voters will have the opportunity to vote in the Universal Primary Contest for Board of County Commissioners, District 2. Learn more about Universal Primary Contests in this newsletter.

Mail ballots will begin to mail to domestic voters on July 9th with Secure Ballot Intake Stations available throughout the county for in-person returns. Early voting is set to begin August 8th and run until 15th. If you plan to vote on Election Day, please verify your polling location, as several precinct changes took effect in 2025.

Election deadlines, including voter registration, party affiliation changes, and vote-by-mail requests, are established by Florida law and cannot be extended. If you need to update your party affiliation or voter registration, please do so as soon as possible.

Thank you for participating in the electoral process. My office remains committed to administering elections that are secure, transparent, and accessible for every eligible voter.

Warm regards,

Leah Valenti

Supervisor of Elections

View your 2026 Primary Sample Ballot and explore candidate information and election resources on our website.

1. Click here for your Sample Ballot.

2. Click here for Candidate resources.

PRIMARY ELECTIONS EXPLAINED

Understanding Florida's Closed Primary Election

Florida is a closed primary state, which means voters may only vote in the Primary Election of the political party with which they are registered. The deadline to change your party affiliation for the upcoming election is July 20. See below details to update your voter record.

What Is a Universal Primary Contest?

A Universal Primary Contest occurs when all candidates for an office belong to the same political party and the winner will face no opposition in the General Election.

Because the winner of this Primary will face no opposition in the General, all qualified voters, regardless of party affiliation, are entitled to vote in this race.

So, whether you’re registered Republican, Democrat, NPA, or another minor party, you’ll see the Board of County Commission, District 2 contest on your August 18 Primary Election ballot.

In addition, nonpartisan contests, such as Circuit Judge races, appear on all voters' ballots regardless of party affiliation.

How Do I Change My Party Affiliation?

A party change can be made by visiting one of our three offices (listed below) and filling out a Florida Voter Registration Application or by utilizing Florida's Online Voter Registration System: RegisterToVoteFlorida.gov.

Link to RegisterToVoteFlorida.gov

IMPORTANT DATES & DEADLINES

"Book Closing": July 20th

In Florida, voters may only vote in the Primary Election of the political party with which they are registered. If you wish to change your party affiliation to participate in a different party's Primary Election, you must update your registration before the book closing deadline, which is 29 days before the election.

Vote-By-Mail Deadline: August 6th

The deadline to request your Vote-by-Mail ballot is 5:00 p.m. on August 6th. Be sure to submit your request on time.

If you do not receive your Vote-by-Mail ballot, call our office, 941-833-5400.

CONFIRM YOUR REGISTRATION

UPDATE YOUR REGISTRATION

REQUEST YOUR VOTE-BY-MAIL

SKIP THE LINES, VOTE EARLY!

AUGUST 8th - AUGUST 15th

HOURS FROM 8:30 AM - 6:00 PM

Be election ready! Like and follow us on social media for the most up-to-date election news! You may locate us on any of these three platforms.

SECURE BALLOT INTAKE STATIONS

Vote-by-Mail Drop Boxes—also known as Secure Ballot Intake Stations (SBIS)—are available to provide a safe, secure, and convenient way to return your ballot.

Beginning July 13^th -August 18^th voters can return their ballots to secure drop boxes at any of our three office locations during regular business hours (Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.)

During Early Voting, additional drop boxes will be available at each of the four designated Early Voting sites from 8:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

On August 18th, Election Day (F.S. 101.69), all vote-by-mail ballots must be returned to one of our three office locations below:

> Murdock Circle office by 5:00 p.m.

> Charlotte County Historic Courthouse by 7:00 p.m.

> Mac V. Horton West County Annex by 7:00 p.m.

ELECTION DAY POLLING LOCATIONS

Voters should check their Voter Information Cards or click here on our website to confirm their Election Day polling location.

Changes were made in 2025 to several polling locations. By law, voters MUST vote at their assigned polling location on Election Day.

OUTREACH IN ACTION

Supervisor Valenti spoke about the importance of voter education at Third Wednesday Coffee, hosted by the Charlotte County Chamber of Commerce on June 17th.