Connect with the Chamber: Are you voter ready?

Voters have some big decisions when they fill out their primary ballots this year.

For the first time in more than two decades, Collier County voters will select a new clerk of the circuit court and comptroller. Voters will have the opportunity to place two new judges, one circuit and one county, on the bench. And two Collier County School Board races could be decided when the polls close on election night.

In Commission District 2, voters will decide who they want to represent them on the Collier Board of County Commissioners for the next four years. Meanwhile over in Commission District 4, Republicans will pick their nominee ahead of the November general election.

Both the North Collier Fire Control & Rescue District and the Immokalee Fire Control District could change how they pay for fire and rescue services if ballot measures pass. Marco Islanders will decide whether to tax themselves for expanded emergency services.

Want to weigh in on these important issues? Then don’t even think about skipping the Aug. 28 primary election.

At the Greater Naples Chamber of Commerce, we believe local elections matter. That’s why we are committed to working with community partners, including the Collier County Supervisor of Elections Office, to make sure Collier voters are informed about their choices and turn out to vote in the primary.

Florida is a closed primary state, so only registered Republicans or Democrats can vote in their party’s primary. However, there are exceptions to the rule. Non-partisan races, such as school board or judge, are on the primary ballot and open to all registered voters. Races where members of only one party qualify to be on the ballot — such as the race for Clerk of Courts — are open to all eligible voters.

While top-of-the-ticket races — such as the Republican and Democratic gubernatorial primaries — might drive people to the polls this year, Florida historically sees low turnout in the primaries.

Statewide turnout during the 2016 primary was 24 percent. Statewide voter turnout was even lower during the 2014 primary. According to the Florida Division of Elections, 18 percent of registered voters turned out that year.

Collier County saw slightly higher turnout in the 2016 and 2014 primaries. Thirty-two percent of the county’s voters cast a ballot; while 21 percent of voters cast a ballot in 2014.

“Voting in local elections is incredibly important,” said Supervisor of Elections Jennifer Edwards. “The leaders elected this year will have a direct impact on the citizens of Collier County and our community.”

We agree, which is why we extended an invitation to the Supervisor of Elections Office to be a table exhibitor at Wake Up Naples. Elections staff sets up shop at the Hilton Naples each month, where they can to inform voters about upcoming elections, register people to vote, update voter information and take vote-by-mail requests.

 It’s also why the Chamber has once again joined forces with a consortium of local civic organizations to sponsor a series of public forums to inform and educate voters about the upcoming elections. Hundreds of community members have already attended forums to become informed ahead of the primaries, and we’ll continue to stay involved through the general election.

The Chamber does not endorse political candidates, and our Board of Directors has not taken a position on the fire assessment referenda on the ballot. However, we are continually reaching out to our membership to make sure they are informed about the upcoming elections and the issues important to our community.

More:Connect with the Chamber: Building our future leaders

With so many important universal primaries, nonpartisan races and referenda on the primary ballot, we encourage all Collier County residents to make sure they are registered to vote. The deadline to register to vote — or update your party affiliation — in the Aug. 28 primary is July 30.

To register to vote, update your voter information or learn more about what will be on your ballot, visit www.CollierVotesLocal.com.

But our commitment to a well-informed electorate won’t stop once the ballots are counted.

Earlier this year, the Chamber invested in software to help community members connect with local, state and federal elected officials and take action on important local, state and regional issues. Visit www.NaplesChamber.org/Advocacy to look up your elected officials, find upcoming events and sign-up for advocacy alerts.