Belkis Gonzalez poses with a "I Voted!" sticker after her casting her vote during the general Election in Miami-Dade County at the Pelican Harbor Marina on Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024, in Miami, Fla.

Belkis Gonzalez poses with a “I Voted!” sticker after her casting her vote during the general Election in Miami-Dade County at the Pelican Harbor Marina on Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024, in Miami, Fla.

David Santiago

dsantiago@miamiherald.com

Florida’s August primary election is here, offering voters the opportunity to cast ballots in contests that will set up November clashes for governor, Congress and the state Legislature, and decide local races and referenda in counties and cities.

Early voting begins Monday: We have a detailed primer here with dates, times and locations for early voting centers around South Florida. Mail voting is already underway (click here for more info.)

One important note: Florida is a closed primary state, meaning only registered Democrats can vote in Democratic primary races and registered Republicans in Republican primaries. But voters who are registered without party affiliation or are aligned with minor parties such as the Libertarian or Green parties can still participate. They are just largely limited to local decisions, non-partisan races for positions like judgeships and what few partisan contests around the state feature only candidates from one political party — which under Florida law are opened to all voters.

Here’s a rundown of some key races to help voters prepare to go to the ballot box:

Key races

The Miami Herald Editorial Board — a separate entity from the Herald newsroom — has made endorsements in a series of statewide and South Florida races. Check out their recommendations here.

Republican gubernatorial candidates, clockwise from top left: Jay Collins, Byron Donalds, Paul Renner and James Fishback Republican gubernatorial candidates, clockwise from top left: Jay Collins, Byron Donalds, Paul Renner and James Fishback

Governor: Trump-endorsed Congressman Byron Donalds is the clear frontrunner in the Republican primary to succeed term-limited Gov. Ron DeSantis, with polls consistently showing him well ahead of Lt. Gov. Jay Collins, provocateur James Fishback and former House Speaker Paul Renner. In the race for the Democratic nomination, David Jolly, a former GOP congressman who has since registered as a Democrat, is expected to fend off Miami state Rep. Dotie Joseph.

United States Senator Ashley Moody, center, joined by Sen. Rick Scott, left, and Rep. Carlos Gimenez, right, speaks to reporters about U.S actions in Venezuela during a press conference at Las Vegas Cuban Cuisine on Monday, Jan. 5, 2026, in Doral, Fla. United States Senator Ashley Moody, center, joined by Sen. Rick Scott, left, and Rep. Carlos Gimenez, right, speaks to reporters about U.S actions in Venezuela during a press conference at Las Vegas Cuban Cuisine on Monday, Jan. 5, 2026, in Doral, Fla. SAM NAVARRO Special for the Miami Herald

U.S. Senate: Ashley Moody, appointed to the U.S. Senate by DeSantis last year after Marco Rubio was confirmed as U.S. Secretary of State, is expected to easily dispatch three little-known Republican challengers. In the Democratic primary for the seat, retired Army Lt. Colonel Alexander Vindman — best known for his role as a witness in President Donald Trump’s first impeachment trial — is competing with progressive state Rep. Angie Nixon.

Miami-Dade Commissioner Oliver Gilbert, center, answers his question from moderators as other candidates listen during the debate at the Little Haiti Cultural Complex, Candidates for Florida's 24th Congressional District, including entrepreneur Te Mayonna Brown, arts director Marshall Davis, Miami-Dade Commissioner Oliver Gilbert, state Sen. Shevrin Jones, Kendrick Meek Jr., former commissioner Jean Monestime, physician Rudolph Moise and attorney Roderick Vereen, participate in a debate at the Little Haiti Cultural Complex, Monday, July 13, 2026, in Miami. The event was hosted by the Miami Herald, WLRN, NBC 6 and MIA Media Group, with questions from moderators Jawan Strader of NBC 6 and Amy Driscoll of the Miami Herald. Miami-Dade Commissioner Oliver Gilbert, center, answers his question from moderators as other candidates listen during the debate at the Little Haiti Cultural Complex. Democratic candidates for Florida’s left-leaning 24th Congressional District include arts director Marshall Davis, Miami-Dade Commissioner Oliver Gilbert, state Sen. Shevrin Jones, Kendrick Meek Jr., former Commissioner Jean Monestime, physician Rudolph Moise and attorney Roderick Vereen. Carl Juste cjuste@miamiherald

Congress: Depending on where voters live and their party registration, they may see primary races for U.S. House of Representatives on their ballot. All the nation’s U.S. representatives face election every two years, and Florida’s August election decides the outlook of the November ballot. The Florida Legislature redrew the state’s congressional districts this year, so your district — and your congressperson — may have changed. Click here to find your district.

Candidates for Miami-Dade school board District 1 (clockwise from top left): Thera Johnson, Erhabor Ighodaro, Joy Jackson, Bernard WH Jennings, Katrina Wilson, Linda Cothiere, James Barry Wright, Wrendly Mesidor Candidates for Miami-Dade school board District 1 (clockwise from top left): Thera Johnson, Erhabor Ighodaro, Joy Jackson, Bernard WH Jennings, Katrina Wilson, Linda Cothiere, James Barry Wright, Wrendly Mesidor

State and Local races: Many voters will also see choices on their ballot for state Senate and House, as well as their local school board and county commission. Voters’ ballots will differ depending on their political party and address. To see your sample ballot, click here if you live in Miami-Dade or here if you live in Broward County.

Key datesThe primary election is held on Tuesday, Aug. 18, with polls opening at 7 a.m. and closing 7 p.m. to anyone not already in line to cast a ballot.Mail voting is already underway. Vote-by-mail ballots must be in the possession of your local Supervisor of Elections by 7 p.m. on Aug. 18 to be considered valid. Late-arriving mail ballots will not be considered.Early voting begins on Monday, Aug. 3 in Miami-Dade County and on Saturday, Aug. 8 in Broward County, and runs through Sunday, Aug. 16.Voters must have registered in Florida by July 20 to participate in the primary election. The same deadline applies to switching political parties.