Marion County voter's guide to the 2022 primary election

Staff Reports
·2 min read
Wesley Wilcox, the Supervisor of Elections for Marion County, displays “Testdeck” sample ballots as elections technicians test ballot machines during Logic and Accuracy testing for the upcoming Primary at the Marion County Election Center on Northeast 16th Street in Ocala, Fla. in this 2018 file photo.
Wesley Wilcox, the Supervisor of Elections for Marion County, displays “Testdeck” sample ballots as elections technicians test ballot machines during Logic and Accuracy testing for the upcoming Primary at the Marion County Election Center on Northeast 16th Street in Ocala, Fla. in this 2018 file photo.

To help you vote with confidence, below is a collection of links to information about the races and candidates on the August 23 ballot.

Important dates

  • Aug. 13: First day of early voting

  • Aug. 21: Last day of early voting

  • Aug. 23: Primary Election Day, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Early voting

Early voting in Marion County runs from Saturday, Aug. 13, to Saturday, Aug. 20. Nine locations will be open from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. on all eight days. Here are the 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, Ocklawaha

  • 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, The Villages

Marion primary: Early voting begins Saturday; 20K voters have cast mail-in ballots

How to vote by mail

Return voted ballot by mail at least one week in advance of Aug. 23 or put voted ballot into Secure Ballot Intake Station (AKA drop box) at an Early Voting site (during voting hours) or at the Elections Office (during office hours).

Vote-by-Mail ballots must be received by the Supervisor of Elections office no later than 7 p.m. on Election Day to be counted.

Election 2022: How to vote in Florida under DeSantis' new law. What's changed?

This map from the Marion County Supervisor of Elections Office shows the five state House of Representatives districts that include part of Marion County.
This map from the Marion County Supervisor of Elections Office shows the five state House of Representatives districts that include part of Marion County.

Voter guides to races and candidates

Florida House of Representatives:

► Florida House, Districts 20, 21 and 23

Marion County Commission:

► County Commission, District 4

Marion County Judge:

► County Judge, Seat 1

► County Judge, Seat 2

Marion County School Board:

► School Board, District 2

► School Board, District 3

► School Board, District 5

Marion County Supervisor of Elections Wesley Willcox shows the notice on the front of a mail-in ballot that the voter needs to make sure to sign and date it on the back to make the vote valid, at the Marion County Supervisor of Elections office in Ocala, Florida, Thursday, July 23, 2020. Wilcox says when a voter doesnÕt sign and date the mail-in ballot they will be contacted and made aware of the mistake so they can correct it. [Cyndi Chambers/For the Star Banner] 2020

Who can vote in Florida?

Any Florida resident who is a citizen of the United States, 18 and older, who has not been adjudicated mentally incapacitated with respect to voting in any state without having the right restored and has not been convicted of a felony without civil rights being restored.

Does Florida require an ID to vote?

Yes, you must provide a current and valid ID with a photo and signature. Any one of the following is acceptable:

  • Florida driver’s license

  • Florida identification card issued by the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles

  • United States passport

  • Debit or credit card

  • Military identification

  • Student identification

  • Retirement center identification

  • Neighborhood association identification

  • Public assistance identification

  • Veteran health identification card issued by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs

  • License to carry a concealed weapon or firearm issued pursuant to s. 790.06

  • Employee identification card issued by any branch, department, agency, or entity of the Federal Government, the state, a county, or a municipality.

  • If you don't have valid ID you still will be allowed to cast a provisional ballot, which will be counted provided you are eligible to vote, you voted in the correct precinct, and your signature matches the one on file.

This article originally appeared on Ocala Star-Banner: Voter's guide to the 2022 primary election in Marion County