📬Check Your Mailbox: Time to Vote! Action Alert, July 20, 2026
- beachesactivistmov
- 15 hours ago
- 4 min read
Mail-In Ballots: It's Time to Vote!
If you are one of the nearly 23,000 voters in Duval County who received a Vote-by-Mail ballot for the August 18th primary last week, it's time to vote! You have until 7 p.m. on Election Day to return your completed ballot to the Supervisor of Elections Office. Despite Trump's unjustifiable effort to discredit it, voting by mail is safe, secure, and trackable! And this primary election will not only select Democratic candidates for critical state and local offices, but also choose our local Duval School Board representative. Your vote is your voice!
Need help? Step-by-step instructions are provided in this video from the Duval Supervisor of Elections. Detailed instructions are also included with your vote-by-mail ballot.
Make sure to include your signature or legal mark on the Voter's Certificate Envelope. Matching your signature to the signature on file in the SOE Office determines whether or not your ballot is counted. Be sure to include your contact info so the SOE can contact you if there is a problem.
You can return your primary ballot by mail (no postage required), drop it off at the SOE Office (105 E. Monroe Street, Jacksonville), or place it in a secure drop box at the Beaches Library or any other Early Voting site August 7 - 16. Drop boxes will not be available at voting sites on Election Day. Your only option on August 18 will be the SOE Office.
You can track your Vote-by-Mail ballot online to see if it was received and counted.
If you decide to go to the polls to vote instead, you will be able to vote as long as you have not already used your mail-in ballot.
There is still time to request a mail-in ballot! The deadline to make a request is Thursday, August 6th. Call 904-255-8683 to request a mail-in ballot.
Need information on the primary election and candidates? Check out BAM's 2026 Primary Election Guide!
Tell Congress: Oppose War Funding, SAVE Act &
AG Nominee
Republicans on the House Budget Committee last week advanced a framework for yet another budget reconciliation bill, as GOP leaders rush to get the measure through both chambers before the August recess. This budget package adds new funding for the unauthorized war in Iran and tacks on a voter suppression policy (the SAVE Act -- the subject of Trump's televised address last week) without opening the floor to any real debate on either. A floor vote is expected this week.
Meanwhile, the U.S. Senate is poised to vote on the nomination of Todd Blanche as U.S.Attorney General. Blanche has demonstrated his loyalty to the President -- he handled the release of the Epstein files -- and his appointment will further politicize the Justice Department. Let our elected officials know we are still paying attention! The war is illegal, the SAVE Act is unjust, and Blanche is unfit!
Call or email FL Rep. John Rutherford, and Senators Rick Scott and Ashley Moody this week. Demand that they oppose Budget Reconciliation 3.0. Reach them through the Capitol switchboard (202.224.3121) or click on their names to send an email. Use this script from 5 Calls to make the case.
Make sure you also let Scott & Moody know that you oppose Todd Blanche's appointment as Attorney General and expect them to do the same. We need an attorney general who will act in the country's best interest, not Trump's.
Beaches DEMS Host Candidates Tuesday
The Beaches DEMS will host Rachel Grage, Alex Hazen, and Mark Heggestad, primary candidates for Congressional District 5, and Donna Westrich, running to represent the Beach on the Duval school board, at their meeting on Tuesday, July 21st at 6:30 p.m. at the Neptune Beach Senior Center (2004 Forest Avenue, Neptune Beach). The club will also be postcarding at the meeting in a final push to Get-Out-The-Vote for the August 18th primary election. Come out, meet the candidates, and get involved! Contact Mike Finn for more info.
Protect Our Immigrant Neighbors
ICE immigration enforcement activities are increasing significantly in our area, resulting tragically last week in the death of a young Mexican national fleeing agents in St. Johns County. We are redoubling our efforts to effectively organize a local Rapid Response Alliance for Immigrant Safety and Empowerment (RAISE) project to respond to these incidents. We'll be working on an action plan this weekend with local Indivisible groups and identifying ways we can strengthen our partnerships with the Jacksonville Immigrant Rights Alliance (JIRA) and other activist organizations. If you'd like to get involved with RAISE, as well as support mass actions and protests, please join BAM's Immigrant Justice Action Group. We'll connect you with training information and keep you informed about protests as they are organized in our area.
Support BEAM Back to School Bash
The Beaches Emergency Assistance Ministry (BEAM) will host its 2026 Back to School Bash from 1:30 to 4 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 1, at the Carver Center, 777 Fifth Ave. South in Jacksonville Beach, to help local students and families start the school year prepared. It will include free school supplies, backpacks, food, and music. Last year, BEAM's back-to-school programs helped 900 local students. Contact Sandy Jenkin or Latoya Thomas at the Carver Center, 904-270-1614, if you are interested in donating or volunteering for the event.
Mark Your Calendar: Candidate Forums!
Florida Rising will host a Gubernatorial Virtual Forum on Wednesday, July 29th from 6 - 8 p.m. Hear directly from the candidates for Florida Governor on their priorities and plans to help working families. Sign up here for the Zoom link.
Families for Strong Public Schools will host a Duval School Board Candidate Forum on Thursday, July 30th, from 6:30 - 8 p.m. at the Main Library Conference Center, 303 N. Main Street, Jacksonville. The forum will feature candidates for School Board Seat 2, which includes the Beaches, as well as Seats 4 and 6. RSVP here.
RAISE HOTLINE: 1-888-600-5762
Have you recently seen, interacted with, been detained, or know someone impacted by ICE? Call the hotline. Alert local Legal Observers and connect detainees with assistance and resources. Email us to learn more about how you can help!