LOCAL ISSUES
Community town hall on electric bills – May 27 6:30-8pm
VOTING/ELECTIONS
Florida has closed primaries. There are 13,361,000 registered voters in Florida as of May, 2026. Closed primaries means that 3,799,380 voters, registered as no party or minor party affiliation, can’t vote in most primaries. About 28% of voters are shut out of that important democratic decision.
Primary Election – August 18 General Election – November 3
Last day to register to qualify to vote in 8/18 primary – July 26
Last day to register to vote in General Election – October 26
Don’t forget to renew your mail in ballot. All mail in ballot requests now expire after the scheduled general election, so every 2 years.
Make sure your driver’s license and voter information aligns – a law that went into effect a few years ago means that information no longer automatically aligns – and if it doesn’t it may affect your mail in or early voting.
The Pinellas Supervisor of Elections site has published the ballots for the August 18th primary.
St. Pete elections
St Pete Mayoral Race candidates:
- Kevin Batdorf, former Shore Acres Neighborhood Association President[2]
- Paul Congemi, perennial candidate and candidate for this seat in 2009, 2013, and 2017[3]
- Charlie Crist, former U.S. representative (2017–2022), former Republican governor of Florida (2007–2011), Democratic nominee for governor in 2014 and 2022, and Independent candidate for U.S. Senate in 2010 (Democratic)[4]
- Brandi Gabbard, St. Petersburg city councilor (Democratic)[5]
- Jim Large, former St. Petersburg Fire Chief (Republican)[6][7]
- Maria Scruggs, former president of the St. Petersburg NAACP and perennial candidate[8]
- Ken Welch, incumbent mayor (Democratic)[9]
St Pete City Council candidates: – St. Pete Council District seats up for election:
Candidates:
District 2: Courtney Bermudez, Gabriel Hament,
District 4: Lisset Hanewicz, currently unopposed
District 6: Trevor Mallory, Terri Balliet, Linsey Grove, Jameka Williams
District 8: Richie Floyd – automatically reelected because there were no challengers.
Pinellas County Elections
County Commissioners
At Large, District 2: Brian Scott
Single Member District 4: Dave Eggers Single Member District 6: Kathleen Peters
County Court Judge(s)
School Board Member – At Large District 2, 3 & School Board Member – Single Member District 6, 7
from the PSoE site:
Essential Deadlines & Mail Ballot Logistics
- Mail Ballot Request Deadline: Requests must be received by August 6, 2026, at 5:00 PM.
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Return Deadlines: Ballots must be received by 7:00 PM on Election Day (August 18).
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Note: Postmarks do not count; the ballot must be in the physical possession of the Elections Office.
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Secure Ballot Intake Stations (Drop Boxes): Available during early voting hours at designated sites and 24/7 at the three main Supervisor of Elections offices.
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Signature Requirements: Ensure you sign the back of the return envelope. If you forget or your signature has changed, you must submit a “Cure Affidavit” by 5:00 PM on the second day after the election.
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Track Your Ballot: Confirm your ballot was received and counted.
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Voter Registration & Party Affiliation
Registration/Party Change Deadline: July 20, 2026.
EVENTS
7/25/2026 – Keep Pinellas Beautiful Beach Clean Up, Maximo Beach 9am- noon
Help from the City
The Private Lateral Rehabilitation Rebate Program
The Private Lateral Rehabilitation Rebate Program is essential in the reduction of sanitary sewer overflow events (SSOs), preventing the intrusion of stormwater into your private sewer lateral through cracks and other defects in the pipes. If your private sewer lateral collapses, it could cause damage to your home and require costly repairs.
