Editorial: Time for voters to start doing their summer homework
Collier County and south Lee voters have a lot of homework to do this summer, following Friday’s deadline that shaped the Aug. 28 and Nov. 6 ballots.
One of the challenges for voters in the coming weeks is to get to know the candidates and where they stand on issues. There are many political newcomers seeking major public offices for the first time. Unlike with an incumbent who has a voting record that can be tracked (good or bad), there is much to learn about so many newcomers who are entering the local political scene.
It’s encouraging to see this many new candidates willing to step forward to run for Collier and Lee public offices that control taxpayer dollars, from fire districts to county commission to school board to state Legislature. That’s where doing your homework and getting engaged sooner rather than later can help lead to the best, informed decisions.
Historically, we’ve seen people largely unknown in political circles emerge as leaders and succeed. We most vividly remember a political unknown named Rick Scott from Naples who had no experience as a public official in Collier County when he decided to seek a 2010 elective office. The entire state quickly got to know him, then elected him governor twice.
On the flip side, we’ve seen relative unknowns win public office during an election with low voter turnout and become disruptive forces.
That’s why it’s important for you to get registered, get engaged, do your homework and ultimately be sure to express your informed opinion during the primary and general elections.
Ballot finalized
The ballots for federal and court-related offices were set as of May. Noon Friday was the deadline to file papers to run for state, county and fire district offices. Some highlights related to Friday’s deadline:
• In both Collier and Lee counties, there is the potential for a new school board majority to take office this year. Some incumbents who could have sought re-election to each school board instead bowed out, opening the door to candidates with name recognition from prior campaigns as well as new faces for these nonpartisan seats. Collier voters have five names on their School Board ballot for two seats; Lee has about a dozen candidates for four positions.
• Congratulations to Jory Westberry, who won the Collier School Board District 1 seat without a challenge. Though a political newcomer, she’s hardly an unknown in Collier education circles. She served the district for about 25 years, starting as a teacher, winning a Golden Apple, and spending nearly 15 years as a principal.
• In Collier, there are two Republicans in the countywide clerk of courts race and two in the County Commission District 2 contest, elected only by voters within the North Naples area. Thankfully no write-ins emerged, meaning your political party won’t matter in those when it comes time to vote.
• All four Florida House seats serving Collier and south Lee counties will be on the ballot, as will the state Senate seat serving that same geographic area. Legislative seats often go uncontested.
• A referendum on a controversial proposed new property fee system seemingly attracted candidates to seek North Collier fire board seats. There are four candidates for one board seat, four for another and three for yet another. Collier elections officials say these contests are on the Nov. 6 ballot. Voters should pay special attention. There won’t be a runoff of two top vote-getters. It means the lower the turnout, the fewer votes needed to win by a plurality.