August 20: Partisan primaries, universal primaries and non-partisan contests.

The August 20 elections are known as “primary elections.” It is an unfortunate name since all registered voters have the opportunity to vote in this election. Read on for an explanation.

 

Party primaries.

Florida is a closed primary state, meaning a voter must select a party in order to vote in that party's primary election. If the voter does not select a party when registering to vote, they will be listed as a non-party affiliate (NPA) and will not be allowed to vote in any party's primary. In order to vote in the August 20 primary election, a voter must register with a party by the end of the day on July 22. That is also the last day for a new voter to register to vote.

 

Universal primaries.

However, there are times when all registered voters can vote in a primary election, regardless of which major or minor political party they are registered with or even if they are registered as an NPA. If all candidates for an office have the same party affiliation and the winner of the primary election faces no opposition in the general election (i.e., no write-in candidates have qualified), then all registered voters may vote for any of the candidates. candidates for that office in the primary elections. This is usually called universal primary.

 

Broward County has five universal primaries for the August 20 election. The candidate with the most votes in each race is the winner and is elected to that position on August 20. The positions elected with universal primaries are: Districts 98 and 99 of the Florida House of Representatives, Clerk of the Circuit Court, Tax Collector and Supervisor of Elections.

 

Non-partisan races.

Also on the ballot for the Aug. 20 election are nonpartisan races, meaning candidates have no party affiliation behind their name. All registered voters can vote in these elections. These races include those for Circuit Court Judge, County Court Judge, and School Board.

 

For these races, a candidate must have 50% plus one of the votes cast to win that race. If there are only two candidates in a race, the winner will be decided on August 20. If there are three or more candidates in a race, it is quite possible that no candidate will win 50% plus one of the votes cast, and the top two candidates will face off in the November 5 general election.

 

Just vote!

Whether you're registered as a Democrat, Republican, Libertarian, or no party, there will be races you can vote in on August 20. Just do it: VOTE!

 

Monica Elliott

President of Electoral Services

League of Women Voters of Broward County.