Early voting is set to resume Friday in both Escambia and Santa Rosa counties following a winter storm that shut down polls for several days this week.
Tuesday, Jan. 28, is the Republican primary election for the District 1 seat in the U.S. House of Representatives vacated by former Rep. Matt Gaetz in November. The winner of the Republican primary will move on to face Democratic candidate Gay Valimont , non-party affiliated candidate Stephen Broden and several write-in candidates on April 1.
Early voting began as scheduled Saturday, Jan. 18, with extended hours, but was suspended Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday as a winter storm dumped an estimated 10 inches of snow in some parts of Escambia and Santa Rosa counties, creating unsafe road conditions for voters and poll workers.
Escambia County Supervisor of Elections Robert Bender and Santa Rosa County Supervisor of Elections Tappie Villane both said Thursday they plan to reopen polling locations with extended hours, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., both Friday and Saturday.
“I would say as of right now, we do plan on opening it at 7 a.m. tomorrow. We’ll make a final determination if we need to have a delayed opening (Friday) based on how road conditions progress today,” Bender said Thursday morning, but he noted, “All indications are we will be open at 7 tomorrow.”
Villane said Santa Rosa County in a similar posture, noting crews had assessed the area around the Main Supervisor of Elections Office in Milton, 6495 Caroline St., Suite F, and foresaw no major issues with travel. She said they would do a similar check at the county’s other early voting site, the South Santa Rosa Service Center (Annex) in Gulf Breeze; 5841 Gulf Breeze Parkway.
“If something else should happen today, we’ll put out an update,” Villane said. “But we’re planning to have staff and poll workers, everyone, ready at 7 a.m. (Friday).”
According to unofficial voter turnout data from the Santa Rosa County Supervisor of Elections website, about 2% (2,328) of the county’s 91,205 registered Republican voters had participated in early voting as of noon Thursday. Some 942 voted by mail and 1,386 turned out for early voting during the limited period it was open.
Turnout was slightly better in Escambia County, with about 6% turnout (6,099) among the county’s 102,284 registered Republican voters. Unofficial totals at noon Thursday showed 3,597 votes cast by mail and 2,502 votes cast during early voting.
“We did see a strong turnout the first, at least, two days,” Bender said. “They were much better than what we had seen in March, but I think that was people trying to get in and vote before the storm hit. So, we are glad that we have, hopefully, two full days of early voting after the weather event, and Election Day, Jan. 28, all locations will be open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.”
The seat opened up when Gaetz resigned the seat he had held since 2016 . Gaetz initially resigned after being nominated by President-elect Donald Trump to serve as attorney general. When the nomination fell through, Gaetz, who had the choice to return to his seat, chose not to do so.
Ten Republicans will face off Tuesday. The race includes Florida Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis , Retired Naval Aviator Aaron Dimmock , Navarre physician and former state Rep. Dr. Joel Rudman , businessman and former Escambia County Commissioner Gene Valentino, former military pilot and Pensacola resident Greg Merk , Navarre High School teacher Jeff Peacock , educator Kevin Gaffney, former Navy pilot John Mills, attorney Michael Dylan Thompson and Fort Walton Beach resident Jeff Macey.
Republican primary candidates: Meet the 10 candidates vying for Matt Gaetz’s seat in U.S. Congress
Early voting locations in Santa Rosa County:
Santa Rosa Supervisor of Elections Office, 6495 Caroline St., Milton
South Santa Rosa Service Center, 5841 Gulf Breeze Parkway, Gulf Breeze
Early Voting locations in Escambia County
Supervisor of Elections Office, 213 Palafox Place, Second Floor, Pensacola
Main Library, 239 N. Spring St., Pensacola
Molino Community Center, 6450 Highway 95A North, Molino
Asbury Place at Cokesbury, 750 College Blvd., Pensacola
Southwest Library, 12248 Gulf Beach Highway, Pensacola
Escambia County Extension Services, 3740 Stefani Road, Cantonment
Bellview Library, 6425 Mobile Highway, Pensacola
Escambia County polling location changes for Election Day, Tuesday:
New permanent changes for Jan. 28, 2025
Precinct 22 – Billy G. Ward Century Courthouse, 7500 N. Century Blvd., CenturyPrecinct 24 – St John’s Episcopal Church, 401 Live Oak Ave., Pensacola
New temporary changes for Jan. 28, 2025
Precinct 98 – St. John Divine Baptist Church, 620 E. Jordan St., Pensacola
Temporary Changes Still in Effect from 2024
Precinct 31 – Main Library, 239 N. Spring St., PensacolaPrecinct 49 – Career Source Escarosa, 6913 N. Ninth Ave., PensacolaPrecinct 106 – Career Source Escarosa, 6913 N. Ninth Ave., Pensacola
Important dates for upcoming elections
The 2025 Special Primary Election on Tuesday, Jan. 28, is for Republican voters only. The State of Florida holds closed primary elections, meaning only registered Republicans will be eligible for the 2025 Special Primary Election.
The special election on April 1 is open to all registered voters. Here are the key dates:
Deadline to register: March 3, 2025
Deadline to request vote-by-mail ballot be mailed: March 20, 2025
Mandatory early voting period: March 22 – 29, 2025 (Up to 6 additional days may be offered by county)
Election Day:April 1, 2025
One of the candidates for the District 1 U.S. Congressional seat is former State Rep. Joel Rudman, who resigned from his seat in the Florida House representing District 3 in order to run.
Florida House D3 race: Special elections dates set to replace Randy Fine, Joel Rudman
Gov. Ron DeSantis on Tuesday issued executive orders setting special primary elections on April 1 and special general elections, if necessary, on June 10 in House District 3, according to documents posted on the state Division of Elections website.
State House District 3 Special Primary Election – Key Dates:
Deadline to register: March 3, 2025
Deadline to request vote-by-mail ballot be mailed: March 20, 2025
Mandatory early voting period: March 22 – 29, 2025 (Up to 6 additional days may be offered by county)
Election Day: April 1, 2025
State House District 3 Special Election – Key Dates:
Deadline to register: May 12, 2025
Deadline to request vote-by-mail ballot be mailed: May 29, 2025
Mandatory early voting period: May 31 – June 7, 2025 (Up to 6 additional days may be offered by county)
Election Day:June 10, 2025
With early voting now open, voters have the opportunity to cast their ballots and have their voices heard in this important election. The candidates are working hard to earn the support of the voters and make their case for why they are the best choice to fill this critical seat in Congress.
As the election draws near, it is crucial for voters to educate themselves on the candidates and their positions on key issues. Early voting provides an opportunity for voters to avoid long lines on election day and make their voices heard in a convenient and timely manner.
Make sure to get out and vote early in the special election for US Congressional District 1 and help shape the future of our district and our country. Your vote matters!
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