CRESTVIEW — Crestview has no municipal elections March 15, but North Okaloosa County voters can register their preference for presidential candidates eight months before voting for the new chief executive.
In addition, south county residents in Cinco Bayou, Destin, Mary Esther and Valparaiso can choose city council members and Destin's and Mary Esther’s mayors.
Throughout the county, voters can let their parties know whom they want on the November presidential ballot.
“It’s the presidential preference primary, so members of the parties will be voting on who they want to represent them for their party,” Okaloosa County Supervisor of Elections public information officer Bridget Richard said.
March has the first of three local elections in Okaloosa County. In August, voters will select county commissioners, school board members and a superintendent of schools.
Among state, federal and county elections, voters will also choose First Judicial circuit and county judges, a state senator in district 1 and a state representative in districts 3 and 4.
In August, voters go to the polls in the primary election; the general election is Nov. 8.
“The important thing there is, since it’s the primary, only Democrats can vote the Democrat ballot and only Republicans can vote the Republican ballot,” Richard said.
“If they want to vote for the other party, they’re going to have to change their party preference.”
Voters’ last day to change their party preference, or for new voters to register for the March presidential primary election, is Feb. 16.
These candidates have pre-filed for Okaloosa County offices. Candidate qualifying week is June 20-24. (* means candidate is incumbent)
Clerk of Circuit Court and Comptroller:
JD Peacock*
Sheriff:
Larry Ashley*
Property Appraiser:
John Holguin
Tax Collector:
Ben Anderson*
Superintendent of Schools:
Marline Sue Van Dyke
Mary Beth Jackson*
Supervisor of Elections:
Paul Lux*
Board of County Commissioners, District 1
Graham Fountain
Board of County Commissioners, District 5
Kelly Windes*
School Board, District 4
Charles Cawthon
Tim Bryant
Source: Okaloosa County Supervisor of Elections
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2016 ELECTION CALENDAR
Presidential preference primary and municipal election: March 15
Last day to register or change party: Feb. 16
Primary election: Aug. 30
Last day to register or change party: Aug. 1
General election: Nov. 8
Last day to register: Oct. 11
Source: Okaloosa County Supervisor of Elections
PREFILED CANDIDATES AND ELECTION DATES
This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Last call for North Okaloosa voters to change party preference