Hillsborough County voters will go to the polls on Aug. 18 to make their voices heard, in the 2020 Primary Election.
Of course, some voters will take advantage of early voting before then, and others will cast their ballots by mail.
It remains unclear how concerns about the COVID-19 pandemic will affect voter turnout, but election supervisors in both Hillsborough and Pasco counties have reported efforts to ensure the safety of both poll workers and voters.
Such measures include social distancing and ongoing cleaning. As a result, lines at the polls could be longer, the supervisors in both counties have said.
In Hillsborough County, the Clerk of the Circuit Court race is a universal primary, meaning all voters can vote in this election, regardless of party affiliation. Candidates Kevin Beckner and Cindy Stuart are vying for that seat.
On the ballot for Democrats, voters will be selecting candidates for the District 1 and District 3 seats on the Hillsborough County Commission.
Harry Cohen and Jen McDonald are vying to be their party’s choice in the race for Hillsborough County Commission, District 1.
In the race for District 3 on the county board, there’s a five-way race among Ricardo “Rick” Fernandez, Gwen Myers, Frank Reddick, Thomas Scott and Sky U. White.
In the race for Tax Collector, it’s a face-off between April Griffin and Nancy C. Millan.
On the Republican ballot, Charles Brian Boswell and Chad Chronister are competing to be their party’s nominee in the race for Hillsborough County Sheriff.
Scott Franklin and Ross Spano are vying for District 15, in the U.S. House of Representatives.
In the Hillsborough County Commission, District 1 seat, Scott Levinson is facing off against Tony Morejon.
There are four nonpartisan seats up for grabs on the seven-member Hillsborough County School Board.
Competitors in District 1 are Nadia Combs, Steve Cona, Ben “Floridaman” Greene and Bill Person.
In District 3, the candidates are Alexandra Gilmore, Leo Haggerty, Mitch Thrower, Jessica Vaughn and Rick Warrener.
Those competing in District 5 are Elvis Piggott, Tammy Shamburger, Selena Ward
and Henry “Shake” Washington.
In District 7, the candidates are Lynn Gray, Sally A. Harris, Jeffrey Alex James Johnson and Angela Schroden.
There also are a number of nonpartisan judge races on the ballot.
Voters have the option to vote early at 24 locations through Hillsborough County. The early polling sites are open through Aug. 16, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Voters can also drop their Vote By Mail ballots off at Early Voting sites during Early Voting hours.
Go to HillsboroughVotes.org, for more election information and for early polling locations.
Hillsborough County Registered Voters*
Democrats: 356,390
Republicans: 281,115
Others: 264,061
Total: 901,566
*As of 08/09/2020
Source: Hillsborough County Supervisor of Elections
Published August 12, 2020
