Welcome to LkldNow’s Guide to the August Elections

You deserve to be informed. Knowing what local races you can vote for in any given election and researching the candidates can be a daunting task. This guide is designed to make it easy to research local offices up for election, the candidates running in the races, and cast an informed vote.

LkldNow does not endorse candidates. Our job is to provide the information you need to make your own decision.

Explore candidate profiles, read responses to LkldNow’s questionnaire, and find key election information. Of the 13 candidates running for local offices, only one did not submit a questionnaire response. That information is noted on the candidate’s profile.

What’s on the ballot?

Calling these primary elections only tells part of the story. Some very important races are decided in August like School Board, which is nonpartisan so open to all voters.

Other races, like the one for County Commission District 2, effectively decide the winner because only one party fielded candidates. In these races, known as an universal primary, are open to all voters. The August election functions as the real contest, with no opposition in November.

Judges for the 10th Circuit Court will also be decided in this election.

Early Voting

Early voting has begun and runs until August 15. After August 15, you have to vote at your precinct location. Early voting sites are open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Here are Lakeland’s two early voting sites:

  1. Polk County Government Center, 930 E Parker Street (Map)
  2. Simpson Park Community Center, 1725 Martin L King Jr Avenue (Map)

Important Dates

July 20

Deadline to register or change party affiliation

August 6

Deadline to request a vote-by-mail ballot

August 8–15

Mandatory early voting period

August 18

Florida Primary Election

Start Here ⤵

Nonpartisan & Universal Primary Races

As a registered voter in Polk County, you can cast a ballot in these races, regardless of political affiliation. They include three Polk County School Board races, two races for the Florida 10th Judicial Circuit Court, and a race for a county commission seat.

Local Nonpartisan & Universal Primary Races

Campaign finance, simplified: We’re adding easy-to-read campaign finance data to each race in this section. Donor information is public, but we’ve excluded exact street addresses. You’ll still see where candidates’ support comes from—by general location and industry—without exposing unnecessary personal information.

Next Up: Party Primaries

In Florida, we have a closed primary system, so your ballot will look different depending on your party affiliation.

Registered as an NPA (No Party Affiliate)? You’re not alone. Almost 25% of Polk voters are NPA’s. You can vote on the nonpartisan and univeral primary races, but you’ll have to wait until November for the rest. The outcomes of these primaries will determine the major party candidates to vote on in the general election.

NPA Sample Ballot

Local Partisan Races

None of the state or federal offices that represent the Lakeland area have primaries this cycle. These races had only one candidate from each party qualify. As such these races will be voted on in the November elections. These include:

  • State House: Districts 49, 50, 51
  • State Senate: District 12
  • U.S. House: District 18

Statewide Partisan Ballots

Republican
Democratic

LkldNow’s Voter Guide is made possible, in part, by support from Citrus Connection and readers like you. All editorial decisions are made independently by LkldNow.