It’s 2024 and everyone is talking about the big election coming up in November, but let’s not forget about or tune out the important local decisions that we can vote on August 20, during the primary election! I love all things local, which includes the policies and people that run our cities and county. Are you ready to decide this summer?

No matter what your political party affiliation may be, every voter in Volusia County will have at least one race to vote on in the August primary: Volusia County Council Chair. There are four people vying for a seat that helps to determine everything from the cost to drive on the beach to where certain types of buildings can be developed around Volusia.

The rest of your primary ballot will depend on where you live and what political party you are registered with. If you’re not sure, you can check your voter ID card or the sample ballot you’ll receive from the Supervisor of Elections. For example, there are three people running for New Smyrna Beach mayor for those folks living in NSB. Another example is the four people running as the Republican committee woman, so only Republicans would be able to vote for them.

The deadline to register to vote in the August 20 primary is July 22. The Supervisor of Elections website, VolusiaElections.gov, is a wealth of information and where you can find an application to register. You can also request a vote-by-mail ballot there until August 8. The state law actually changed last year, saying that you must request a vote-by-mail ballot every election cycle now, so be sure to check your registration on the website. You can also call (386) 736-5930 or email VoteByMail@Volusia.org.

Early voting dates will be August 10 – 17, from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., at the following locations:

• Supervisor of Elections Office (1750 S. Woodland Blvd., Deland)
• Florence K Little Town Hall (16 Colomba Rd., Debary)
• The Center at Deltona (1640 Dr. Martin Luther King Blvd., Deltona)
• Ormond Beach Regional Library (30 S. Beach St., Ormond Beach)
• Daytona Beach Regional Library (105 Jackie Robinson Pkwy, Daytona Beach)
• Lakeside Community Center (1999 City Center Cir., Port Orange)
• New Smyrna Beach Regional Library (1001 S. Dixie Fwy, New Smyrna)

For both early voting and on election day, you’ll need a photo ID with signature in order to vote in person. This includes things like your driver’s license, passport, student or military ID. On election day, August 20, you’ll need to go to your assigned polling precinct location between 7 a.m. – 7 p.m. This location is found on the website listed above or on your voter ID card. Your voter ID card will also tell you your voting district for county elections, like “District 2” mentioned above.

Don’t forget to take the time to research the candidates and their platforms to help you decide the best direction for our cities and county. Newspapers and groups like the League of Women Voters will have candidate guides published soon to help in this area.

Now you have all of the information that you need in order to vote in the primary. Be informed and keep loving all things local!