by Joe Courter
Primary elections will take place in mid August and will include several races to be aware of. We will try to help in the upcoming two issues of the Iguana.
Two things to be aware of now:
One: Make sure your voter registration is up to date (have you moved? gotten a new driver’s license? desire to change party affiliation from no party to Democrat so you can vote in the primary?)
Two: Will you will be in town to vote Aug. 18, which is still in summer vacation time for many? If you won’t be, you may want to arrange a mail-in absentee ballot. For information, contact the elections office at 515 N. Main St., or call 352-374-5252. They are good folks and eager to help you have your voice heard.
Some candidates in our north Florida area deserve your early support, as they are in tough races against established Republicans: Jason Bellamy-Fults in State Senate District 6 and Amy Trask in House District 21. State House District 3 has multiple Democratic candidates running to succeed Yvonne Hinson-Rawls. We are leaning toward Antione Fields due to his labor movement background, but no shade on the others — this will be a tough campaign to sort out.
The School Board has a good challenger to beat the Republican-appointed member in Hunter Miller, and progressive-minded Tina Certain is up against a well-funded opponent in the race to succeed retiring Maryhelen Wheeler for County Commission District 2. They could use support, too.
Elections are what you make them, and democracy thrives with participation (and dies without it). Go to candidate forums and other events. Read up on and meet the candidates and get involved in campaigns. It beats staying home. Stay tunedfor more in the coming months.