COMMENTARY: Who WILL & WILL NOT Vote in the March Presidential Preference Primary

Florida is a Closed Primary State

Collier County, Fla.—February 11, 2016: Florida is a Closed Primary State which means voters can only vote for candidates within their respective party during Primary Elections. During the March Presidential Preference Primary, only Democrats and Republicans will be able to vote for presidential candidates; however, there may be other items on the ballot for Collier County’s NPA (no party affiliation) and minor party voters to weigh in on.

In addition to the Republican and Democratic presidential candidates that will appear on the March ballot, voters in unincorporated Collier County will have the opportunity to vote on a non-binding straw ballot item that the Collier County Board of County Commissioners placed on the Presidential Preference Primary ballot.  This question asks voters if they would support a single combined Fire and Emergency Medical Response Independent Special District covering all of the unincorporated areas of Collier County.

In the City of Naples, voters will have the opportunity to vote in the mayoral and city council races.  Finally, voters that reside within the Fiddler’s Creek MSTU will have the opportunity to vote on a binding referendum that, if approved, would annex the MSTU into the Greater Naples Fire Rescue District.   

Who will not vote in the March 15 Primary Election? No party affiliation and minor party voters that reside in Marco Island and Everglades City will not vote in the upcoming election. 

Voters have until February 16, 2016 to either register in the State of Florida or update their party affiliation to be eligible for the upcoming Presidential Preference Primary. Voters can visit www.CollierVotes.com to check their registration status or to download a voter registration application. Voters can also contact the Supervisor of Elections office at (239)252-VOTE if they have questions about their registration status or about the upcoming election.

# # #

This and all press releases can be found online, also available en Español, at our News Room

Find us on Facebook       Follow us on Twitter