Mandarin residents who want to vote in the Nov. 3 general election have until Monday, Oct. 5, to register or update their address with the Duval County Supervisor of Elections.
The deadline covers new registrations and address changes. Supervisor of Elections Jerry Holland announced the cutoff Monday, noting that residents can register online at duvalelections.gov, at any Jacksonville Public Library branch or at the elections office downtown.
The county has about 653,000 active voters and roughly 100,000 inactive ones, Holland told Action News Jax on Monday. Inactive status applies to voters who have moved and not updated their addresses.
"Main thing is, make sure what is your status? You can go online to duvalelections.gov, check to make sure you're an active voter, ready to go," Holland said. "If it shows inactive, it mean we don't know where you live ... Call us up."
The deadline matters. The Nov. 3 ballot carries several locally significant items.
Three school board seats head to runoffs
Three Duval County School Board seats are headed to runoff elections after no candidate won a majority in the Aug. 18 primary, Florida Trib reported:
- District 2: Donovan Bradley vs. Donna Westrich
- District 4: Rhodesia Butler vs. James Jacobs
- District 6: Lindsey Denmark vs. Clarence James
School tax renewal and homestead exemption at stake
Voters will also decide whether to renew the district's 1-mill property tax, which generates about $121 million a year for teacher pay supplements, school police salaries, and arts and athletics programs. The levy costs the average homeowner about $300 a year, according to Jacksonville Today. District officials have said 87.5% of the revenue goes to staff pay supplements, with teachers receiving about $8,600 each. Duval County ranks last in average teacher pay among Florida's seven largest urban school districts, according to First Coast News.
Statewide, Amendment 3 would raise the homestead exemption for nonschool property taxes to $150,000 in 2027 and $250,000 in 2028, according to the Florida Phoenix. State economists estimate the measure would cut local government revenue by $5 billion in its first year and by up to $12 billion annually when fully implemented. The amendment needs 60% approval to pass.
Where to register and key voting dates
All registered voters, regardless of party affiliation, may vote in the general election. Residents can register or check their status at duvalelections.gov, visit the Supervisor of Elections Office at 105 E. Monroe St. or stop by any Jacksonville Public Library branch. Voters should bring a photo ID to the polls, Holland said.
Early voting begins no later than Oct. 24. The deadline to request a vote-by-mail ballot is Oct. 22.
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