• June 24 – Special election for Congressional District 19
• August 26 – Federal, state and local primary elections
• November 4 – Federal, state and local general elections
Put these dates on your radar screen – and your calendar – now and start preparing to be an informed voter when the time comes. I’ll help by researching the candidates and the issues, and writing about them over the coming months in this Sparker’s Soapbox blog.
For now, a bit about the June 24 Special election for Congressional District (CD) 19.
This election is for the seat in Congress formerly held by Republican Trey Radel. Radel resigned in January after being arrested for cocaine possession, reaching a plea agreement, undergoing substance abuse rehabilitation treatment, and returning to Congress.
The primary election for that seat was held on April 22. Only registered Republicans living in CD 19 were eligible to vote in it, and only 35% of them bothered to do so. Curt Clawson won with only 38% (26,897) of the votes cast.
In other words, Clawson won his party’s nomination with only 13% of the registered Republicans in District 19. Hardly a strong show of support.
While only registered Republicans could vote in the primary, all 451,000 registered voters in Congressional District 19 can vote in the June 24 General Election. Will they (will YOU) let the will of the 13% decide, or will they (will YOU) get out and vote?
The four candidates who will be on the ballot on June 24 are:
• Curt Clawson – Republican Part of Florida
• April Freeman – Florida Democratic Party
• Ray Netherwood – Libertarian Party of Florida
• Timothy J. Rossano – write-in
To find out if you live in CD 19, click here.
And whether you do or not, this is a great time to make sure your voter registration is up to date with your current name, address and signature. Simply click here, call 239-252-VOTE, or stop by the Supervisor of Election’s office at the Collier Government Complex, 3295 Tamiami Trl E, Naples, FL 34112, or the North Collier Government Center, 2335 Orange Blossom Dr, Naples, FL 34109. Or complete, sign and mail in a new voter registration form (click here).
So:
• Election dates on your calendar?
• Know if you live in CD 19?
• Confirmed that your voter registration (including signature) is up to date?
Great! You’re on your way to being an informed voter this year.
My next post will begin to delve in to the candidates for the CD 19 General Election.