Election 2022: What you need to know for Duval County's primary election
Over 100,000 people have already voted in this year's primary election in Duval County. With Tuesday's election quickly approaching, residents still have time to vote before the polls close.
Early voting ended Sunday. Of over 647,000 registered voters in the county, over 49,000 Democrats and about 41,000 Republicans voted by mail and through early in-person voting. Polls open again Tuesday at 7 a.m., and mail-in ballots can be dropped off to the Supervisor of Elections Office at 105 E. Monroe St. before 7 p.m.
Unlike during early voting, Duval County residents must go to the precinct indicated on their individual voter cards, which can also be found online. Results will be posted to the county elections website throughout the night until all precincts have reported results.
How to vote
Find your precinct: Check your voter card or head to the Duval County Supervisor of Elections precinct finder
Take a look at your sample ballot: Input your full name -- as indicated in your voter registration -- and birth date to the Supervisor of Elections intake form to view your full ballot
When: Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Tuesday
More 2022 voter information: What you need to know about Duval County primaries, candidates, voting
Election 2022: What changed in Florida's election laws
Who's on the ballot?
Several key state and local races will be on various ballots, including the highly contested, nonpartisan appointment of two School Board positions. In District 2, incumbent Elizabeth Andersen faces Gov. Ron DeSantis-endorsed April Carney.
DeSantis also endorsed School Board District 6 incumbent Charlotte Joyce against challenger Tanya C. Hardaker. The endorsements reflect support of various Republican-led initiatives in Florida education, including the Parental Rights in Education Act, otherwise known as the "Don't Say Gay" bill, and the idea of removing critical race theory from public schools.
The special election for Jacksonville sheriff has intensified in the past week. Former Sheriff Mike Williams retired in June with a year left in his term after controversy over his Nassau County residency. Since then, a story by Jacksonville's The Tributary involving candidate TK Waters reported that Waters registered to vote in a Nocatee precinct, even though he does not live there.
Regardless of district, all Jacksonville voters can also choose whether to approve a 1 mill property tax increase that advocates say would benefit teacher salaries, as well as school art and sport programs. It is the only referendum on this year's ballot.
In partisan races, U.S. House of Representatives District 4 is open for Democrats and Republicans. No Democratic candidates qualified for the District 5 race, so three Republicans, including Rep. John Rutherford, have a chance for the seat. The race will be what's known as a "universal primary," meaning the Republican candidates will be on all District 5 ballots and whoever wins will represent the district for the next two years.
More on federal primary races: Redistricting brings 8 candidates for 2 Northeast Florida congressional seats
Florida House seats for Districts 13-17 are open this year, along with Florida state Senate District 5. Jacksonville City Councilmembers Reggie Gaffney and Garrett Dennis resigned from council in order to run for the Senate seat and House District 14, respectively.
Their successors could also be decided Tuesday in the City Council special election. Six candidates, including Reggie Gaffney, Jr., aim for District 7 as three campaign for District 9. If one candidate in each race does not win over 51 percent of the vote Tuesday, the two top vote-getters will face off in a run-off in November. The winner in each will have to run again in the spring during the City Council general election.
More on Jacksonville City Council races: Candidates talk priorities, motivations ahead of Jacksonville City Council special elections
This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Duval County primary election day: How, where to vote on Tuesday
