Voting

Based on 2020 U.S. Census data, as many as 1 in 4 eligible Americans are not registered to vote. That’s according to NationalVoterRegistrationday.org. The website also says millions of Americans every year find themselves unable to vote because they miss a registration deadline, don’t update their registration, or aren’t sure how to register.The solution is an annual, national nonpartisan civic holiday to educate and encourage eligible voters to register. This year, National Voter Registration Day falls on September 20. The day includes online and in person events across the country to register voters ahead of the hotly contested midterm elections.

The Collier County Supervisor of Elections office is challenging local high school students to register and pre-register to vote ahead of the 2022 General Election.

People in the 18-29 age range tend to have the lowest voting rates in the nation. Southwest Florida officials, and even young people themselves, say that probably will not change in this November's election.

Engage Miami, an organization promoting youth civic engagement, has received nearly $400,000 worth of grant funding from the Southern Poverty Law Center to expand voter outreach efforts.

Despite new restrictions on voting adopted by the state legislature in 2021, more than 2.23 million Floridians took advantage of voting by mail or early voting in Tuesday’s primary election.In the most closely watched race of the Aug. 23 primary, U.S. Rep. Charlie Crist defeated Florida Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried for the Democratic nomination to challenge Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis in the general election. We’ll get analysis of results and what they set up for the general election and beyond with FGCU political scientist Dr. Peter Bergerson.

Early voting for Florida’s Aug. 23 Primary Election begins next week. Dates, times, and locations to cast a ballot early in-person vary depending on where voters are registered. For example, the early voting window begins Monday, Aug. 8, for registered voters in Charlotte and Hendry Counties, but early voting in Collier, Glades, Lee, Manatee, and Sarasota Counties doesn’t begin until Saturday, Aug. 13. This article includes a county-by-county breakdown of early voting dates, times, and locations across Southwest Florida.

The Collier County Supervisor of Elections Office conducted its logic and accuracy testing of voting equipment and held the first canvassing board meeting in preparation for the Aug. 23 primary election. Testing of ballot tabulation equipment is required under Florida statute before every election.

Monday, July 25, is the voter registration deadline for anyone looking to cast a ballot in Florida’s Aug. 23 primary election. In recent years, the Florida legislature has passed changes to some sections of Florida’s election code including new restrictions on absentee voting.

Senate Bill 90 passed in the Florida Senate and was signed by Governor DeSantis last May. Its provisions amend the state election laws to, according to the Senate website, “improve election security, transparency, and administration.” Here’s what you should know about the bill before the state elections this fall.

As the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act sits stalled in the U.S. Senate, Florida’s Senate Bill 90 has been challenged in a federal lawsuit. Each promises to enact several changes to how votes are cast and counted in the United States. This story provides explanatory context and background.