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The second of three options to cast a ballot in the Aug. 28 primary is underway in Collier and Lee counties with early voting, but the other choice that more than 80 percent of the registered voters still have is to stay away.
That should be unthinkable. For those who believe their vote doesn’t matter, we’d counter that during a midterm primary election each vote arguably matters the most.
As of Friday in Collier and Lee counties, about 12 percent of registered voters had submitted mail ballots. Those can be turned in until election day, Aug. 28, when precinct polling sites open to provide the third option to vote. Early voting is a weeklong period that began Saturday at several locations in each county.
The highest turnout historically is during a presidential year, compared with a midterm election like 2018. During a midterm, turnout is greater in the November general election than in the primary. When there are fewer total votes, mathematically it increases the chance yours could make a difference.
If you are a Republican or Democrat, your vote in a partisan primary is becoming more important because a growing legion of registrants are shunning an allegiance to your party. More than 25 percent of Collier registered voters and nearly 30 percent in Lee reject Republican and Democrat labels, so they can’t help choose your party’s nominee.
Some examples underscore the importance of each Aug. 28 vote:
• Collier commissioners are elected only by voters within their district even though they make impactful decisions on issues countywide. Races are partisan, further reducing the voter pool. In Naples-area commission District 4, only Republicans choose between incumbent Penny Taylor and challenger Stephen Jaron. The party nominee faces Democrat Gary Petit-Dor Nov. 6.
• Three Lee County School Board nonpartisan races have four or five candidates splitting the vote. It takes at least 50 percent plus one vote to win Aug. 28; otherwise, the top two vote-getters face off Nov. 6. In two cases, only voters within the specific district can cast ballots so each becomes essential. In the at-large countywide contest open to Bonita Springs and Estero, it could be close among four candidates with a few votes determining who continues on for Nov. 6.
Term limits are debated almost every election. Two Aug. 28 votes underscore why our editorial board has softened its view against absolute term limits:
• If Collier School Board Chairman Roy Terry were blocked from seeking re-election, two years would be the most experience for any of five board members. We believe voters should be encouraged to decide on their representatives each election, factoring whether an incumbent still is bringing forward fresh ideas and has delivered on promises. We’ve endorsed Terry.
• Bonita Springs City Council created an Aug. 28 ballot measure limiting when someone can run for council again after being out of office. We recommend “no” on this charter amendment based on Bonita Springs’ demonstrated dearth of candidates. Four of seven council members are in their seats without having even faced a challenger in their most recent election. A fifth faced just one opponent. Until there is greater interest, don’t further limit the candidate pool.
Editor's note: Our Aug. 28 endorsements are Amira Fox for state attorney; Roy Terry and Jen Mitchell for Collier School Board; Crystal Kinzel for Collier clerk; “No” on Marco ambulance referendum; Penny Taylor and Andy Solis for Collier County Commission; “No” on North Collier and Immokalee fire fee referendums; Karen Watson for an anticipated Lee School Board runoff Nov. 6 for an at-large seat.
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