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The Presidential race tops the ballot in 2024. The stakes are high as the two major parties offer radically different visions of American democracy and freedoms. The Democrats are highlighting the accomplishments of the Biden-Harris administration: building the economy, growing high-wage jobs, mitigating climate change, protecting reproductive rights, expanding healthcare access, and restoring U.S. leadership internationally. The GOP slate featuring the former president, now a convicted felon, is offering a repeat performance of his prior term - this time with far fewer guardrails and a radically enabling Vice President. 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 six amendments to the state constitution, including provisions guaranteeing access to abortion, and legalizing marijuana.
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 Presidential Primaries and qualifying periods for remaining 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 Elections
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:
Want to Make a Difference in the 2024 Election? Five Things You Can Do.
1. VOTE!
And make sure your friends and family vote too. Not registered? Deadline to register to vote in the August 20 state primary and school board election is July 22. Deadline to register for the November 5 general election is October 7th. Register online at www.duval elections.com.
2. VOLUNTEER!
Roll up your sleeves and help candidates by volunteering through their campaign websites (see links below).
3. DONATE!
Candidates need resources to share their message with voters. Progressive candidates are routinely outspent by their opposition and need your financial support.
4. HELP GOTV!
BAM is supporting Get Out the Vote activities organized by the Duval & Beaches DEMS, Indivisible, and other community partners. Contact us to help with text & phone banking & canvassing at the Beaches & beyond!
5. STAY INFORMED!
Check the BAM Action Alert for the latest information on candidate forums, endorsements, and other activities. Not on the mailing list? Sign up here.
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August 20 State Primary &
School Board Elections
State political party primaries and School Board elections are August 20th. Florida is a closed primary state. Only voters registered with a party can vote in a party's primary. Candidates selected in the primaries face off in the November general election, along with Presidential candidates.
Duval County School Board and Judicial elections are also on the August 20th ballot --- all registered voters can participate in these election, including NPAs.
U. S. Senate
Four Democrats are vying in the August primary for the opportunity to challenge GOP incumbent Rick Scott. On the ballot are former Congress member Debbie Mucarsel-Powell, entrepreneur Stanley Campbell, former state representative Brian Rush, and political newcomer Rod Joseph.
A millionaire and former healthcare executive accused of Medicare fraud, Scott has been 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. Scott faces two GOP challengers, Keith Gross and John Columbus, in the August party primary.
Mucarsel-Powell has garnered the endorsements of prominent Democrats across the state, and leads in fundraising. 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 (left) to view a recording of the event.
U. S. House District 5
Incumbent Congressman John Rutherford is being challenged by far-right candidate Mara Macie in the GOP primary. The winner will face DEM candidate Jay McGovern, who has no primary opposition, and write-in candidate Gary Koniz in the November General Election.
County & Circuit Court Judges
Two judicial races are on the August 20th ballot: Duval County Court - Group 9, and Circuit Court Judge - 4th Judicial District Group 34 covering Duval, Clay and Nassau Counties.
Candidates seeking election as County Court Judge include Andrew Bonderud, Marcus Isom, Shayla Lee, and Matthew Lufrano.
In the Circuit Court Judge - 4th Judicial District race, Beaches resident Ashley Cox faces Nancy Cleaveland.
Cox and Lufrano are strong candidates. To find out why we think so, watch the 2024 Judicial Forum sponsored by the Jacksonville Bar Association and the local chapter of the Federalist Society.
School Board Elections
District 2 school board member April Carney, who represents the Beaches, is not on the ballot in 2024. However, four seats (Districts 1, 3, 5 and 7) are up for election in other parts of Duval County. Three of these seats include candidates supported by Moms for Liberty and other groups working to shift public education dollars to charter schools and vouchers. Recent efforts to consolidate and close Atlantic Beach Elementary and other neighborhood schools attest to the fact that Beach residents have a stake in the outcome of the school board elections whether or not our district is on the ballot.
Families for Strong Public Schools and Public School Defenders Duval County are organizing a nonpartisan voter education and outreach campaign in two key school board districts to raise awareness about the importance of voting in the August 20th election.The groups plan to canvass NPA voters in Districts 3 and 7 to make sure they know they are eligible to vote and turn out for the school board election, which is held with the primary election. Sign up here if you'd like to join BAM in supporting their efforts. The groups will be handing out nonpartisan information urging NPA voters to do their homework and vote for candidates committed to high-quality public education, supporting teachers, and ensuring every child has the freedom to learn.
Issues, Races on the Ballot in November
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.
Florida House District 16
Political newcomer Rachel Grage will 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
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is a reliable water carrier for GOP leadership. Click here to see why Florida Watch gave her an F for "People First" votes in 2024.
Grage's issue priorities include affordable housing & insurance, public education, environmental protection, gun safety, & voting rights.
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.