Pinellas Casts Votes For U.S. Reps, County Commissioners, Sheriff

PINELLAS COUNTY, FL — There are some big changes taking place in Pinellas County on Nov. 3 beyond electing the country's leader.

This election year, every U.S. congressional seat is up for election along with a number of Florida House and Senate seats.

Pinellas County voters will also be asked to vote on six amendments to the Florida Constitution, a state senator, a state representative and county commissioners.

Pinellas County Supervisor of Elections Julie Marcus said voters should expect longer lines and wait times as a result of higher voter turnout, limited numbers of people allowed in the polling places and the need to periodically stop admitting voters to clean and disinfect in keeping with coronavirus protocols. Marcus said all poll workers and voters must wear masks. If a voter forgets to bring one, the supervisor of elections office has a few available.

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In the meantime, Marcus said she and her staff have been busy tabulating ballots for the past two weeks.

"If you've turned in yours, there's a good chance it has been counted," she said.

To check the status of your ballot, you can track it here.

For those intending to cast their ballots on Election Day, the polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. but Marcus said the best times are between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m.

Florida law states that on Election Day you may only vote in the polling place assigned to your current residential address.

If you don't know where your polling place is, check the supervisor of elections precinct finder.

On Election Day, you should bring a Florida driver's license, Florida ID card (issued by DHSMV), U.S. passport, debit or credit card, military ID, student ID, retirement center ID, neighborhood association ID, public assistance ID, veteran health ID issued by the Veterans Administration, concealed weapon license or government employee ID.

If you do not bring an ID, you may vote a provisional ballot.

You may mark and bring your sample ballot to use as a reference.

Vote-by-mail ballots must be in to the elections office by 7 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 3, including ballots returned via USPS. Under Florida law, vote-by-mail ballots cannot be accepted at the polling locations on Election Day. The only drop-off locations on Election Day are the three Pinellas County Supervisor of Elections offices.

In addition to choosing the president, Pinellas County voters will be asked to vote to choose members of the U.S. House of Representatives. Although Pinellas County is small (608 square miles), it includes portions of three congressional districts.

U.S. Congressional District 12 includes all of Pasco County, north Pinellas County and some northern neighborhoods in Hillsborough County. Longtime incumbent Gus Michael Bilirakis, R, will attempt to retain his seat. Bilirakis is known for his support of veterans. But his opponent, Kimberly Walker, happens to be a veteran and expects to attract a share of veteran vote.

U.S. Congressional District 14 includes all of Tampa, north and northwest Hillsborough County, a portion of Pinellas County and a portion of Temple Terrace. Congresswoman Kathy Castor, D, is highly regarded for her support of children's issues. She's facing Tampa entrepreneur Christine Y. Quinn, R.

U.S. Congressional District 13 includes St. Peterburg, Clearwater and Largo. It's been held by Charlie Crist since 2017. Now he's facing competition from 31-year-old St. Petersburg Republican, Anna Paulina Luna, a veteran who is making her first bid for public office.

Also on the ballot, longtime and nationally respected Pinellas County Sheriff Bob Gualtieri, R, will face a former sheriff's office colleague, Eliseo Santana, who's been outspoken about the sheriff's office use of force in the past and lack of transparency.

Pinellas voters will have a chance to choose between Mike Twitty, R, and Trevor L. Mallory, D, for property appraiser; incumbent Charles Thomas, R, Christian Kane Lanier, D, and Dan Dalberg (write-in) for tax collector; and incumbent Julie Marcus, R, and Dan Helm, D, for supervisor of elections.

There are three Pinellas County Commission seats up for grabs Tuesday.

Larry Ahern, R, is running against incumbent Janet C. Long, D, for the District 1 seat.

District 3 incumbent commissioner Charlie Justice, D, will try to retain his seat as he takes on Tammy Sue Vasquez, R.

Three candidates are hoping to win the District 7 seat being vacated by longtime Commissioner Ken Welch. They include school board member Rene Flowers, D, former St. Petersburg NAACP President Maria L. Scruggs, NPA, and write-in candidate Anthony Hart.

Vying for the Pinellas County School Board District 1 at-large seat are Laura Hine and Stephanie G. Meyer while Caprice Johnson Edmond and Karl Nurse run for the School Board District 7 single-member seat.

Voters will also have a say on six proposed amendments to the Florida Constitution:

• Amendment 1: Provides that only U.S. citizens who are at least 18 years old, a permanent resident of Florida and registered to vote may vote in a Florida election.
• Amendment 2: Raises Florida’s minimum wage to $15 per hour by 2026.
• Amendment 3: Allows all registered voters to vote in primaries for state legislature, governor and cabinet regardless of political party affiliation.
• Amendment 4: Requires proposed amendments or revisions to Florida’s constitution be approved in two elections.
• Amendment 5: Increase the period of time accrued Save-Our-Homes benefits may be transferred from a prior homestead to a new homestead from two to three years.
• Amendment 6: Allows a homestead property tax discount to be transferred to the surviving spouse of a deceased veteran.

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