Mail ballots have been sent out, deadlines to register have passed, and next week, early voting for the 2026 General Election begins.<\/p>\n
Early voting in Lee County begins Monday, Oct. 19, and runs through Oct. 31.<\/p>\n
Sites throughout the county will be open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily, including weekends. Voters also can drop off their vote-by-mail ballots at secure ballot intake stations at early voting sites during the early voting window.<\/p>\n
Lee County Supervisor of Elections Jenna Persons-Mulicka said the office is ready for the General Election to start.<\/p>\n
\u201cPreparations begin months in advance to ensure a smooth and successful election,\u201d she said. \u201cPart of our prep includes thoroughly testing all of our election equipment, securing early voting sites, coordinating equipment delivery, and training and scheduling approximately 500 poll workers for early voting.\u201d<\/p>\n
For those looking to obtain a vote-by-mail ballot, the deadline to make a request for the General Election is 5 p.m. Oct. 22.<\/p>\n
Persons-Mulicka said the early voting period is an important part of the elections process.<\/p>\n
\u201cVoting early is a flexible and convenient way to vote in person,\u201d she said. \u201cIt also ensures that you have the opportunity to vote in case something prevents you from being able to get out to the polls on Election Day.\u201d<\/p>\n
As for the security of all ballots cast and tallied by the office, Persons-Mulicka said, \u201cProviding safe and secure elections is our top priority. Multiple layers of protection are in place to safeguard the integrity of the election process, including maintaining accurate voter rolls and implementing physical and network security measures. Whether voting by mail, during early voting, or on Election Day, you can trust that when you cast your ballot, your vote is protected and counted accurately.\u201d<\/p>\n
As for why people should exercise their right to vote, she said, \u201cEvery election is important and, in the upcoming midterm general election, voters will be deciding who represents them at the local, state, and federal levels. By voting, you hold your government representatives accountable and have your voice heard on any issues on the ballot.\u201d<\/p>\n
Lee County early voting sites include:<\/p>\n
\u2022 Bonita Springs Elections Office, 25987 S. Tamiami Trail, Suite 105, Bonita Springs<\/p>\n
\u2022 Cape Coral Elections Office, 1039 SE 9th Ave., Cape Coral<\/p>\n
\u2022 Cape Coral-Lee County Library, 921 SW 39th Terrace, Cape Coral<\/p>\n
\u2022 Dr. Carrie D. Robinson Center, 2990 Edison Ave., Fort Myers<\/p>\n
\u2022 East County Regional Library, 881 Gunnery Road N., Lehigh Acres<\/p>\n
\u2022 Estero Recreation Center, 9200 Corkscrew Palms Blvd., Estero<\/p>\n
\u2022 Fort Myers Regional Library \u2014 Voting Room, 1651 Lee St., Fort Myers<\/p>\n
\u2022 Lakes Regional Library, 15290 Bass Road, Fort Myers<\/p>\n
\u2022 Lee County Elections Center, 13180 S. Cleveland Ave., Fort Myers<\/p>\n
\u2022 North Fort Myers Recreation Center, 2000 N. Recreation Park Way, North Fort Myers<\/p>\n
\u2022 Northwest Regional Library, 519 Chiquita Blvd. N., Cape Coral<\/p>\n
\u2022 Veterans Park Recreation Center, 55 Homestead Road S., Lehigh Acres<\/p>\n
Race information for the General Election includes:<\/p>\n
Cape Coral City Council<\/p>\n
There are four council seats up for grabs in November. All races are at large and non-partisan meaning voters may cast a ballot no matter the district in which they live.<\/p>\n
\u2022 Cape Coral Mayor: Lisa Cohen-Adkinson and Rick Erickson<\/p>\n
\u2022 District 1: Dave Newton and Tom Shadrach<\/p>\n
\u2022 District 4: Incumbent Jennifer Nelson-Lastra and James Vargas<\/p>\n
\u2022 District 6: Liza King and Annette Warren<\/p>\n
More information on the Cape Coral City Council races, including candidate responses to Questions of the Week, may be found on The Breeze website under Election 2026.<\/p>\n
Lee County Board of County Commissioners<\/p>\n
There are two races on the ballot. The races are at large meaning voters may cast a ballot no matter the district in which they live.<\/p>\n
\u2022 District 2: Incumbent Cecil Pendergrass (R) and Elliot Taylor (D)<\/p>\n
\u2022 District 4: Incumbent Brian Hamman (R) and DeMaria \u201cPrincess\u201d Artis (NPA)<\/p>\n
Lee County School Board<\/p>\n
There are two races on the General Election ballot. The two seats are by district meaning voters may cast a ballot only in the district in which they live.<\/p>\n
The races are non-partisan.<\/p>\n
\u2022 District 4: Incumbent Debbie Jordan and Tony Beougher<\/p>\n
\u2022 District 5: Incumbent Armor Persons and Crystal Johnson<\/p>\n
Incumbent Sam Fisher, District 1, won his seat outright in the primary as did Jada Langford-Fleming, who retained her seat in District 6, an at-large seat.<\/p>\n
Lee County Supervisor of Elections<\/p>\n
\u2022 Incumbent Jenna Persons-Mulicka (R) and Chris Vignieri (D)<\/p>\n
United States Senator<\/p>\n
\u2022 Ashley Moody (R); Angie Nixon (D); and Neil J. Gillespie (NPA)<\/p>\n
District 19 Representative in Congress<\/p>\n
\u2022 Jim Schwartzel (R) and Victor Arias (D)<\/p>\n
Governor<\/p>\n
\u2022 Byron Donalds (R); David Jolly (D); Scott Eckhard Jewett (LPF); Charles Burkett (NPA); Frank J. Russo (NPA); Moliere \u201cMoe\u201d Dimanche (NPA); Dean Ocean Abrams (NPA); and Jeffrey Peter \u201cDr. Jeff\u201d Datto (NPA)<\/p>\n
District 17 Representative in Congress<\/p>\n
\u2022 Incumbent Greg Stube (R); Matthew Montavon (D); and Michael J. Quirk (NPA)<\/p>\n
Commissioner of Agriculture<\/p>\n
\u2022 Wilton Simpson (R) and Joey Mendoza Atkins (D)<\/p>\n
Attorney General<\/p>\n
\u2022 Incumbent James Uthmeier (R) and Jose Javier Rodriguez (D)<\/p>\n
Chief Financial Officer<\/p>\n
\u2022 Incumbent Blaise Ingoglia (R) and Annette Taddeo (D)<\/p>\n
Lee County voters will decide two proposed charter questions related to the Lee County Board of County Commissioners, in addition to three state referendum questions including the controversial homestead exemption increase from $50,000 to $250,000 for local property taxes \u2014 excluding school taxes.<\/p>\n
At the county level, voters are being asked whether they want to change the county charter to change the at-large right of voters to vote for all county commissioners to single-member voting, which limits the vote to only the commissioner within their district.<\/p>\n
The change was opposed by Lee County commissioners and championed by Lee County\u2019s state legislative delegation.<\/p>\n
The ballot language reads:<\/p>\n
Referendum Providing for the Structure of the County Legislative Branch<\/p>\n
Shall Chapter 2025-222, Laws of Florida, which amends the Lee County Home Rule Charter to provide that, beginning with the 2028 general election, the Board of County Commissioners shall be composed of five (5) members elected in single-member districts, become effective?<\/p>\n
Voters may vote yes to approve or no to reject.<\/p>\n
A second proposed county charter change would limit the number of consecutive terms for county constitutional officers, meaning elected county officials, to three consecutive four-year terms.<\/p>\n
The ballot language reads:<\/p>\n
County Charter Revision Relating to Setting the Number of Consecutive Terms of Elected Constitutional Officers<\/p>\n
County Charter Amendment Section 3.1 \u201cElected County Constitutional Offices\u201d; limiting the number of consecutive terms of the County Constitutional Officers; amendment would limit County Constitutional Officers to serving no more than three (3) consecutive four-year terms in office. No previous term in office which is in progress as of November 2026, shall be considered a term of service for purposes of the limitations contained herein.<\/p>\n
Voters may vote yes to approve or no to reject.<\/p>\n