Marco Dems Receive a 2024 Election Update from Supervisor of Elections

Melissa Blazier, Collier County’s new Supervisor of Elections (SOE), described the SOE’s election-related duties and what Collier County voters need to know and do to be prepared for the 2024 elections.

Melissa was appointed to the position earlier this year after the previous SOE retired.  She has worked at the Supervisor’s office since 2006 and plans to run for SOE during the 2024 election.

It is the Collier County SOE’s responsibility to make sure every Collier County resident has the chance to vote, that their properly cast vote is counted, and that the election counts are complete and accurate.

She explained that there are 3 Election Days in 2024:  

* Presidential Preference (March 9)

* Primary (August 20) and 

* General (November 5)

Melissa focused on registering to Vote-by-Mail for the 2024 elections. She explained that Florida legislation passed in 2023 deleted all Vote-by-Mail registrations.  Residents MUST re-register to Vote-by-Mail for the 2024 elections.

Melissa encouraged all voters to register to Vote-by-Mail, even if they are currently planning to vote in-person. Circumstances can quickly change and prevent someone from voting in-person.  

She advised everyone to register to Vote-by-Mail as soon as possible so they are registered for the March 9 Presidential Primary.  

Residents must request a Vote-by-Mail ballot at least 12 days before the Election Day and their ballot must be received by 7:00 PM on each Election Day. She recommends Vote-by-Mail ballots be mailed at least five business days (Monday – Friday) before each Election Day so they arrive by 7:00 PM of Election Day, but the earlier the better.

Voters who register to Vote-by-Mail may still vote in-person during early voting or on Election Day. If they decide to vote in-person, it is best they do not mail in their Vote-by-Mail ballot. If they already mailed it in, their Vote-by-Mail ballot will not be counted.

Early Voting will be available for the 2024 election for eight days before the two Primary Elections and 13 days for the General Election. There will be 11 locations for early voting.

Two proposed Constitutional Amendments are already qualified to be on the 2024 ballot.  Another two are still collection petitions:

Reproductive rights (Information available at FloridiansforFreedom.org)

Right to clean water (Information available at FloridaRighttoCleanWater.org)

Melissa also responded to several questions and comments raised by an extremely interested and engaged audience. More voter information, like confirming your Vote-by-Mail registration and the address each of your ballots will be sent, are available at CollierVotes.gov, the SOE’s website

For more information about meetings, membership, or supporting our charitable efforts, go to DWCMarco.org or contact us at info@dwcmarco.org.