2022 Election Preview: Florida House of Representatives contests in Marion County
Marion County is divided into five state House of Representatives districts with differing dynamics for the Aug. 23 primary.
In the two districts with the most Marion County registered voters, 24 and 27, there will be no election this year. The incumbents – Republicans Joe Harding (24) and Stan McClain (27) – are re-elected without opposition.
District 24 has by far the most Marion County registered voters – 127,734 – of the five districts, according to the most recent statistics available. The district covers much of south-central and west Marion.
District 27 has 66,033 registered voters in Marion. It covers southeast Marion.
District 2 school board: Lori Conrad, Joseph Suranni compete
County judge seat 2: Lori Cotton vs. William 'Will' Harris
The third most populous is District 21, with 34,245 registered voters. The race for that seat, with Democratic incumbent Yvonne Hayes Hinson facing Republican Hollye Merton, will be on the November ballot for people who live in that district, which includes northwest Marion.
House District 20 race is open to all voters there
The race for state House District 20 is on the Aug. 23 ballot. Since both candidates – Luis Miguel and incumbent Bobby Payne – are Republicans, all voters who live in that district, regardless of party affiliation, are eligible to vote.
In Marion County, that means 20,234 registered voters. District 20 covers northeast Marion.
To learn more about the candidates, visit https://www.luismiguelforflorida.com/news/ and https://www.bobbypayne.net/meet-bobby-payne.html
House District 23 race also is open to all district voters
District 23 includes 17,243 registered voters in southwest Marion County. The three candidates – Tod Cloud, incumbent Ralph E. Massullo Jr. and Paul John Reinhardt – are all Republicans, so this race also is open to all voters who live within the district. The top vote recipient will win outright., regardless of party affiliation.
To learn more about the candidates, visit https://www.cloud4house.info/, https://ralphmassullo.com/ and https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100015264516024
County Commission District 2: Keith Poole, Rachel Sams, Carl Zalak
Which state House district do I live in?
Check your voter information card or review your sample ballot at votemarion.gov. That site also has a map of Marion County that shows the state House district lines. Click on Election Info and then "Maps."
What about the Florida Senate?
Marion County is in District 9. The race against incumbent Republican Keith Perry and Democrat Rodney Long will be on the November ballot.
FLORIDA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Florida House members represent districts and run in partisan elections. They serve two-year terms and are paid $29,697 per year.
ELECTION DETAILS
Primary Election Day is Aug. 23. Polls will be open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on that day. Check your voter information card for information on where to vote and in what state House district you live. If you have questions, visit votemarion.gov.
Early voting will be Aug. 13-20, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the following locations:
Election Center: 981 NE 16th St., Ocala
Belleview Public Library: 13145 SE County Road 484, Belleview
Deputy Brian Litz Building: 9048 SW State Road 200, Ocala
Dunnellon Public Library: 20351 Robinson Road, Dunnellon
Forest Public Library: 905 S. County Road 314A
Freedom Public Library: 5870 SW 95th St., Ocala
Reddick Community Center: 4345 NW 152nd St., Reddick
Silver Springs Shores Community Center: 590 Silver Road, Ocala
The Villages Mulberry Center: 8445 SE 156th Mulberry Lane
If you are returning a mail ballot, it must be received by the elections office by 7 p.m. on Aug. 23. For information on how to obtain a mail ballot, visit https://www.votemarion.gov/Ways-to-Vote/Vote-By-Mail/Vote-By-Mail-FAQ
This article originally appeared on Ocala Star-Banner: Two Florida House contests will be on some Marion County ballots
