Pinellas County voters who want a say in the Aug. 18 primary must register or update their party affiliation by Monday, July 20.
After that date, no new registrations or party changes will be accepted for the primary, according to the Pinellas County Supervisor of Elections office. The stakes are higher in a closed-primary state like Florida: voters registered as no party affiliation or with a third party cannot cast ballots in the Democratic or Republican primaries. They can still vote in nonpartisan races, including two contested Clearwater City Council seats.
What's on the ballot for Clearwater
Clearwater City Council Seat 4 features Bianca Latvala and Jared Leone. Seat 5 is a three-way race among Mark Bunker, Kevin R.T. Laughlin and Sam Wilson. Both races are nonpartisan, so every registered Clearwater voter can weigh in regardless of party.
Pinellas County School Board Districts 2, 3, 6 and 7 are also on the ballot, with the District 2 and 3 at-large races open to all registered county voters.
On the partisan side, the ballot includes a U.S. Senate special election, races for Florida governor, U.S. House District 13 and state legislative seats, according to the Supervisor of Elections. Only registered Democrats or Republicans may vote in those contests.
How to vote by mail
Supervisor of Elections Julie Marcus began mailing domestic ballots on Tuesday, July 14. Voters who prefer mail ballots must request one by Thursday, Aug. 6, at 5 p.m. Requests can be made online at votepinellas.gov or by calling 727-464-VOTE (8683).
Completed ballots must arrive at the elections office by 7 p.m. on Election Day. Postmarks do not count. Secure drop boxes are available around the clock at the three main Supervisor of Elections offices and during early voting hours at designated sites.
Mail voting is popular in Pinellas County. Bay News 9 has reported that since 2010, roughly half of all ballots cast countywide have arrived by mail.
Early voting and Election Day
Early voting runs Saturday, Aug. 8, through Sunday, Aug. 16. Weekday hours are 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.; weekend hours run 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The Supervisor of Elections office lists locations at votepinellas.gov.
On Election Day, Tuesday, Aug. 18, polls are open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Key dates
- Monday, July 20 — Voter registration and party-change deadline
- Thursday, Aug. 6, 5 p.m. — Mail ballot request deadline
- Saturday, Aug. 8, through Sunday, Aug. 16 — Early voting
- Tuesday, Aug. 18, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. — Election Day
Voters can register, update their party or check their status online at votepinellas.gov. The main elections office is at 13001 Starkey Road, Largo, and can be reached at 727-464-8683.
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