JACKSONVILLE GET OUT THE VOTE
Jax Vote the Magazine, is a periodical and online platform that focuses specifically on elections and political issues within the Jacksonville Metro Area. The publication will aim to inform residents about candidates, ballot measures, and the overall electoral process relevant to Jacksonville, Florida.
The content of the magazine will include:
- Candidate Information: Profiles of individuals running for local offices like mayor, city council, judicial positions. This often includes their platforms, policy stances, and relevant experience.
- Ballot Proposals and Referendums: Explanations of propositions or questions that voters will decide on, such as those related to housing, infrastructure, or governmental procedures.
- Voter Guides: Practical information for voters, such as how to register, where to find polling places, early voting schedules, and acceptable forms of identification.
- Analysis and Commentary: Articles that delve into the implications of various races and proposals, often offering different perspectives or recommendations. Jax Vote may even recommend specific paths they believe will move the city forward, focusing on issues like housing affordability, public transit, and effective governance.
- Election Logistics: Details about election dates, poll opening and closing times, and how to find specific voting information.
- Civics Education: Content designed to educate citizens about the structure and function of local government and the importance of participation.
This Magazine will serve as a crucial resource for voters, especially in local elections where turnout can be lower and high-quality information harder to obtain. We will help voters understand the impact of local decisions on their daily lives, from housing and budget allocation to neighborhood development.
Jacksonville, Florida Elections 2026
The 2026 elections in Jacksonville, Florida, will include a Primary Election on August 18, 2026, and a General Election on November 3, 2026. These elections will determine various federal, state, and local offices.
Primary Election 2026
The Primary Election is scheduled for August 18, 2026. Florida operates as a “closed primary” state, meaning that only voters registered with a specific political party can vote for candidates within that party during the primary election. However, all registered voters, regardless of party affiliation, can vote on issues and nonpartisan races during a Primary Election.
Key dates for the Primary Election include:
- Deadline to send vote-by-mail ballots to UOCAVA voters: July 4, 2026.
- Deadline to send vote-by-mail ballots to domestic voters: July 9 – 16, 2026.
- Duval County specifies July 16, 2026, as the domestic deadline.
- Deadline to register to vote or change party affiliation: July 20, 2026.
- Deadline to request that a ballot be mailed: August 6, 2026, by 5 p.m.
- Early Voting period: August 3 to August 15, 2026, from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. (Duval County specific). The mandatory statewide early voting period is August 8 – 15, 2026.
- Election Day: August 18, 2026, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Vote-by-mail ballots cannot be dropped off at election day precincts.
General Election 2026
The General Election will be held on November 3, 2026 [1] [2] [3]. This election occurs on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November of every even-numbered year [2] [3] [5]. During a general election, all registered voters can vote for any candidate or question on the ballot [2].
Key dates for the General Election include:
- Deadline to send vote-by-mail ballots to UOCAVA voters: September 19, 2026 [1] [2] [3].
- Deadline to send vote-by-mail ballots to domestic voters: September 24 to October 1, 2026 [2] [3]. Duval County specifies October 1, 2026, as the domestic deadline [1].
- Deadline to register to vote: October 5, 2026 [1] [2] [3].
- Deadline to request that a ballot be mailed: October 22, 2026, by 5 p.m. [1] [2] [3].
- Early Voting period: October 19 to November 1, 2026 (Duval County specific, hours to be determined) [1]. The mandatory statewide early voting period is October 24 – 31, 2026 [3].
- Election Day: November 3, 2026, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. [1] [2] [3].
Similar to the primary, vote-by-mail ballots cannot be dropped off at election day precincts during the General Election [1].
Offices on the Ballot
The 2026 elections in Florida will include elections for all 28 U.S. representatives from the state [4]. These elections will coincide with other elections to the U.S. House of Representatives, elections to the United States Senate, and various state and local elections [4]. While specific local offices for Jacksonville Beach are typically held in even-numbered years, with mayoral and at-large council seats alternating with district council seats, the provided content primarily focuses on federal and statewide election dates [5]. For detailed local information, it is advisable to consult the Duval County Supervisor of Elections [1] [5] or the City Clerk of Jacksonville Beach [5].
Voter Registration and Information
Voters can register or update their information through the Florida Division of Elections website [3]. Party affiliation changes must be made 29 days before a Primary Election to be valid for that election [1] [2]. Voters can verify their assigned election day polling place through the Duval County Supervisor of Elections website [1].
It is important to note that dates and times are subject to change [1]. For the most up-to-date information, voters should contact their county Supervisor of Elections [3] [5].
2026 MID TERM ELECTION
The 2026 elections in Florida will feature a Primary Election on August 18, 2026, and a General Election on November 3, 2026 [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6]. These elections will include races for governor, along with other state and local offices [1] [2].
According to www.iAsk.Ai – Ask AI:
The incumbent Republican Governor Ron DeSantis is term-limited and cannot seek a third consecutive term [2]. Florida is considered a moderately to strongly Republican state, having not elected a Democratic governor since 1994 [2]. Republicans currently hold all statewide offices, a majority of the state’s U.S. House delegation, both U.S. Senate seats, and supermajorities in both houses of the Florida Legislature [2].
Key dates for the 2026 Florida elections include:
- Primary Election Day: August 18, 2026 [1][3][4][5][6].
- General Election Day: November 3, 2026 [1][3][4][5][6].
In addition to statewide elections, various local elections will also occur throughout 2026. For example, Miami-Dade County has municipal elections scheduled in January, February, March, April, August, and November, with potential run-off elections in November and December [4]. Palm Beach County also has a special primary election for State Representative District 87 on January 13, 2026, and municipal elections on March 10, 2026 [5].
Candidates for the 2026 Florida gubernatorial election include several declared and potential candidates from both Republican and Democratic parties [2]. On the Republican side, declared candidates include Charles Burkett, Byron Donalds, James Fishback, and Paul Renner [2]. Jay Collins and Wilton Simpson have publicly expressed interest [2]. For the Democrats, Jerry Demings and David Jolly are declared candidates, while Al Lawson and Angie Nixon have publicly expressed interest [2]. Independent candidates, such as Jason Pizzo, and Libertarian candidates, such as Scott Jewett, have also filed paperwork or expressed interest [2].
Florida operates as a “closed primary” state, meaning only voters registered with a political party can vote in that party’s primary election. However, all registered voters, regardless of party affiliation, can vote on issues and nonpartisan races during a primary election and for any candidate or question in a general election [6].
Offices Up for Election and Retention in 2026
Visit Notices of General Election for notices of offices and vacancies to be filled at the general election in the state and in each county and district in November 2026.
Federal Offices
- U.S. Senate (one of two seats)
- Representative in Congress (all districts)
Multi-County and District Offices
- Governor and Lieutenant Governor
- Attorney General
- Chief Financial Officer
- Commissioner of Agriculture
- State Senator (even numbered districts)
- State Representative (all districts)
- State Attorney (20th Judicial Circuit)
- Public Defender (20th Judicial Circuit)
County Offices
Election of some county offices vary by county. Contact your county Supervisor of Elections to determine the manner of election for these offices.
- Board of County Commissioners
- School Board
- Other constitutional offices depending on county
- Special district offices
Judicial Retention (Nonpartisan)
- Justices, Supreme Court of Florida (only those whose terms expire January 2027)
- Judges, District Courts of Appeal (only those whose terms expire January 2027)
Circuit Judges (Nonpartisan)
- Only those whose terms expire January 2027
County Court Judges (Nonpartisan)
- Only those whose terms expire January 2027