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The Presidential race tops the ballot in 2024, with a likely contest between incumbent President Joe Biden and his predecessor Donald Trump. The stakes are high as the candidates offer radically different visions of American democracy and freedoms. Biden has used his presidency to build the economy, grow high-wage jobs, mitigate climate change, protect reproductive rights, expand healthcare access, and restore U.S. leadership internationally. His predecessor, meanwhile, is offering a repeat performance of his prior term - this time with far fewer guardrails. The choice is clear: preserve democracy or slide into autocracy.
And while this contest will garner most of the attention, Jacksonville voters will also elect a U.S. Senator, Congress members, state senators and representatives, county and circuit
court judges, clerks of courts, school board members, and members of soil and water conservation and community development districts. Additionally, voters in Atlantic, Neptune, and Jacksonville Beach will elect local mayors and council members for their communities.Voters statewide are also expected to weigh in on four amendments to the state constitution, including provisions guaranteeing access to abortion, and legalizing marijuana. Both measures are currently under review by the state Supreme Court.
This guide is intended to provide you with the information you need to be an informed and engaged voter. While BAM does not endorse candidates, we will offer information about which candidates share or oppose our priorities and values. The guide will be updated with information about candidates and the Beaches ballot following the GOP Presidential Primary on March 19 and qualifying periods for remaining offices (April 26 for federal and judicial offices, and June 19 for most state and local offices).
Important Voting Information
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Don't Sit This One Out: Register & Vote!
Democracy depends on your participation. The 2024 Election offers stark choices that will determine the future of our country and the rights of its citizens. Don't stay on the sidelines. If you are not already registered, register to vote now. If you are registered, make a plan to vote. Click on the button below to register and/or make a plan.
Vote by Mail: 2024
Renewal Required
A new state law requires voters to renew their Vote-by-Mail requests every election cycle. There are three ways to renew:
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In person at the SOE Office located at 105 E. Monroe Street,
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By phone: 904.255.8683, and
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Online. (Click the button below)
General Election
November 5, 2024
Voter Registration Deadline:
October 7, 2024
Early Voting:
October 21 - November 3, 2024
Primary & School Board Election
August 20, 2024
Voter Registration Deadline:
July 22, 2024
Early Voting:
August 5 - 18, 2024
Early Voting Sites & Precinct Changes
New precinct lines reducing the number of polling locations - and impacting nearly half of the county's 638,000 registered voters - were approved last Fall for the 2024 elections. The county now has 161 precincts, down from 181. Early Voting sites, however, have increased from 19 to 24, including a re-opened site at Edward Waters University.
Precincts were redistributed within City Council districts in response to a lawsuit. Election Day polling sites at the Beaches were reduced from 14 to 11, impacting Neptune and Jax Beach. No sites were eliminated in Atlantic Beach.
Avoid worrying about precinct changes by voting early. Any registered voter can vote at any Early Voting site during the two weeks preceding each election (see box at left). On Election Day, voters must vote at their designated precinct. If that's your day, check your precinct below:
A Look at Key Races, Issues
Presidential Primaries
Biden is DEM Nominee, Trump heads GOP Ticket
Although the state Presidential Primaries won't
wrap up until early June, President Biden and Donald Trump have already secured enough delegates to claim their parties' nominations for president in the 2024 election. In March, the Florida GOP held a primary and nominated Trump, while the state Democratic Party chose Biden as its nominee, giving him all 250 of the state's delegates without benefit of a primary. Florida is a closed primary state - only voters
registered as members of the party can vote in that party's primary. NPAs and other parties can not vote. The last Presidential Primaries are held in New Jersey and New Mexico on June 4th, with party conventions scheduled for July (GOP) and August (DEMS).
U. S. Senate
Incumbent Florida U.S. Senator Rick Scott is being challenged by a crowded field of Democrats, with former Congress member Debbie Mucarsel-Powell as his likely opponent in November. Scott, a multi-millionaire and former healthcare executive accused of Medicare fraud, is described as one of the state's most unpopular politicians. His "11-Point Plan to Rescue America," which outlined the GOP's vision for running the country after the 2022 midterms, was roundly denounced by members of both parties. The plan was widely interpreted as removing budget protections for Medicare and Social Security, among other programs.
BAM and Indivisible Mandarin hosted a virtual conversation with Mucarsel-Powell on March 14th to learn more about her game plan for defeating Scott. Click on the graphic below to view a recording of the event.
Florida House District 16
Political newcomer Rachel Grage is expected to face incumbent state Rep. Kiyan Michael who is seeking her second term representing House District 16 in November.
A member of the national advisory Board of Black
Voices for Trump, Michael won her first term with the backing of FL Gov. Ron DeSantis and
is a reliable water carrier for GOP leadership. She filed unsuccessful legislation this session requiring public school instruction in Black history to include information on the Democratic party's support of slavery at the time of the Civil War.
Grage's issue priorities include environmental protection, gun safety, & voting rights. She is currently collecting candidate petitions to secure a place on the November ballot.
Citizen Ballot Initiatives: Abortion Access, Marijuana Legalization
Six proposed amendments to the state constitution are expected to be on the ballot in 2024. Two - protecting access to abortion and legalizing adult use of marijuana - are citizen-initiated measures. Sponsors gathered more than 1 million signatures each to place the amendments on the ballot. The four remaining amendments were placed on the ballot by the state legislature. One would make local school board races partisan, and others provide Floridians with a constitutional right to hunt and fish, link homestead exemptions to the inflation rate and repeal public financing for political campaigns. Amendments must garner at least 60% of the vote to be adopted.
Local Beach Races
The three Beaches communities will elect mayors and local council members in November.
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Atlantic Beach: Mayor, Commissioner, Seats 2 & 3
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Jacksonville Beach: Mayor, Council Member, Seats 1, 2, 3, & 4
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Neptune Beach: Mayor, Councilor, Seats 2 & 3
For info on filed candidates, click the buttons below.
