Into the stretch: Primary Election is Tuesday
This weekend is the last chance for registered voters to cast an early ballot for the 2026 Primary Election in Lee County.
Voters began casting their ballots at a myriad of sites on Aug. 8, with the early voting period for the Aug. 18 Primary running through Saturday, Aug. 15.
As of Thursday afternoon, there have been 66,951 total ballots cast in the primary. Turnout as of late Tuesday stood at 13.55% of the 494,200 active eligible voters.
Of the ballots cast thus far, 57,070 have been by mail, with 9,876 voting at early voting locations. Five were logged as provisional.
“I am pleased to share that early voting numbers have already surpassed the 2024 Primary election’s early voting turnout,” said Supervisor of Elections Jenna Persons-Mulicka. “In 2024, our early voting total was 13,702. We are currently at 15,300 and counting.”
While Persons-Mulicka said she doesn’t expect big crowds on Tuesday, “I do anticipate a higher Election Day turnout than in 2024. Voting by mail remains a popular method of voting in Lee County, especially in primary elections.”
Early voting sites will be open daily including through Saturday, Aug. 15. Voters can also drop off their Vote-by-Mail ballot at a Secure Ballot Intake Station located at early voting sites during the early voting period.
Early voting for 2026 is Aug. 8-15 for the Primary Election and Oct. 19-31 for the General Election. Voting hours will be from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. each day.
Election Day voting hours will be from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. for the Primary Election on Aug. 18 and the General Election on Nov. 3.
“Voters will have the opportunity to vote for their representatives at every level of government,” Persons-Mulicka said. “While the general election gets the most attention, voters should know that participating in the primary is just as important. Several races will be decided in this election, including the County Commission District 5 race.”
Lee County voters can vote at any of the 12 available early voting locations during the early voting period. On Election Day, voters must vote in their assigned precinct.
Early voting sites are:
• Bonita Springs Election Office
25987 S. Tamiami Trail, #105
Bonita Springs, FL 34134
• Cape Coral Elections Office
1039 SE 9th Ave.
Cape Coral, FL 33990
• Cape Coral-Lee County Public Library
921 SW 39th Terrace
Cape Coral, FL 33914
• Dr. Carrie D. Robinson Center
2990 Edison Ave.
Fort Myers, FL 33916
• East County Regional Library
881 Gunnery Road, N.
Lehigh Acres, FL 33971
• Estero Recreation Center
9200 Corkscrew Palms Blvd.
Estero, FL 33928
• Fort Myers Regional Library
1651 Lee St. (Voting Room Address)
2450 First St. (Library Address)
Fort Myers, FL 33901
• Lakes Regional Library
15290 Bass Road.
Fort Myers, FL 33919
• Lee County Elections Center
13180 S. Cleveland Ave.
Fort Myers, FL 33907
• North Fort Myers Recreation Center
2000 N. Recreation Park Way
North Fort Myers, FL 33903
• Northwest Regional Library
519 Chiquita Blvd., N
Cape Coral, FL 33993
• Veterans Park Recreation Center
55 Homestead Road, S
Lehigh Acres, FL 33936
Voters who requested a vote-by-mail ballot are urged to return it early.
The deadline to return a vote-by-mail primary ballot to the Elections Office is Tuesday, Aug. 18, at 7 p.m.
On the Aug. 18 ballot are three of four Cape Coral City Council seats to be decided this election cycle, along with Cape Coral Mayor.
Running for mayor are incumbent John Gunter, Lisa Cohen-Adkinson, Rick Erickson, Richard Leon, Kara Rogers and Dan Sheppard.
Running for the District 1 seat are Sean Hartman, David Newton, Thomas J. Senatore and Tom Shadrach. Councilmember Bill Steinke did not seek re-election.
Running for the District 6 seat are Joe Angrisano, Jeffrey Huddleston, Liza King, Ray Mule and Annette Warren. Councilmember Keith Long did not seek re-election.
These are non-partisan, at-large races meaning all Cape Coral voters may cast a ballot in each race.
The top two vote-getters in each race will advance to the Nov. 3 General Election which also will feature the District 4 contest between incumbent Jennifer Nelson-Lastra and James Vargas.
There are three seats up for election on the Lee County Board of County Commissioners.
District 2 Commissioner Cecil Pendergrass (R-Fort Myers), whose district covers Fort Myers, is seeking re-election to a new four-year term and is facing a Republican primary challenge from Fort Myers Democrat Elliot Taylor.
District 4 Commissioner Brian Hamman (R-Cape Coral), whose district includes Cape Coral and Fort Myers, is being challenged by Fort Myers Democrat DeMaria “Princess” Artis.
District 5 Commissioner Trish Petrosky (R-Alva) is seeking to retain her seat after being appointed last year by Gov. Ron DeSantis to fill the office of the late Commissioner Mike Greenwell. Petrosky is facing a primary challenge from fellow Republican and Alva resident Amanda Cochran, who lost a Primary bid against Greenwell in a close race. District 5 includes Alva, Buckingham, Lehigh Acres, and part of North Fort Myers.
There are four School District of Lee County School Board seats up for election. Each seat carries a four-year term.
The seats for District 1, District 4, District 5, and District 6 on the school board are all up for election.
District 1 is held by Sam Fisher, who is facing a challenge from Jenn McDaigle of Cape Coral.
District 4 is held by Debbie Jordan, who is being challenged by Carl Baxter, Tony Beougher, and Gisele Gentile.
District 5 is held by Chair Armor Persons, who is facing challenges by Fort Myers residents Crystal Johnson and Carline Saintilus.
District 6 is the at-large seat currently held by Jada Langford-Fleming of Fort Myers. Fort Myers resident India Palencia has announced she is challenging Langford-Fleming for the seat.
Persons-Mulicka, who was appointed to her seat by DeSantis after having served in the State House, is being challenged by Fort Myers Democrat Chris Vignieri.
In addition to the local races, there will be statewide races up for election this November including governor, and state House seats.
There are currently 15 candidates seeking the Congressional seat of outgoing Congressman Byron Donalds (R-Naples), who is seeking the governor’s office. Donalds is one of dozens of candidates who have filed to run.
Locally, State Rep. Adam Botana (R-Bonita Springs), who represents Fort Myers Beach in the state legislature, is facing a challenge from Estero Democrat William Moskal for the District 80 seat. District 80 covers Bonita Springs, Estero, Fort Myers Beach and Sanibel.
State House seats carry a two-year term.
Persons-Mulicka’s former District 78 State House seat is being sought by Fort Myers Republicans Audrey Brooks and Susan Frantz, as well as Fort Myers Democrat Cindy Banyai.
Other state representatives from Lee County seeking re-election include District 76 Republican Vanessa Oliver, who is being challenged by Republican Julie Louise McCormack and Democrat Phillip Ray Carter. District 77 Republican Tiffany Esposito is being opposed by Democrat Cornelius Fowler. District 79 Republican Mike Giallombardo, who represents Cape Coral, is running unopposed.
Three proposed City Charter Amendments will come before voters in the Aug. 18 Primary Election – election of Cape Coral City Council’s mayor pro tem; a new residency requirement for council members; and proof of residency for candidates eligible to hold office.
The first addresses when Cape Coral City Council will vote to appoint a member of council to act as mayor when the mayor is absent.
The second would change required residency for candidates seeking a seat on Cape Coral City Council within their district.
The third would change how candidates submit proof of residency within their Cape Coral City Council district.
To reach CJ HADDAD, please email cjhaddad@breezenewspapers.com