As of Oct. 7 when voter registration closed for the Nov. 5 general election, nearly 650,000 people in Duval, Clay and Nassau counties were eligible to cast a ballot.
When early voting begins later this month, registered voters will choose officials ranging from president of the United States to U.S. senators, U.S. representatives and myriad state and local elected officeholders.
Early voting in Duval County begins Oct. 21 and ends Nov. 3; it is Oct. 22 through Nov. 2 in Clay County; and Oct 23 through Nov. 2 in Nassau County. Election Day is Nov. 5.
Here is a look at the judicial and state attorney and public defender offices in the 4th Judicial Circuit. For sample ballots, visit your county’s supervisor of elections website.
Circuit court judges
In the 4th Judicial Circuit Court, Ashley Wells Cox defeated Nancy Cleaveland in the Aug. 20 primary election and is not on the general election ballot.
Unopposed and not appearing on the November ballot are 4th Circuit Judges Steven Whittington, Jonathan Sacks, Thomas Beverly, London Kite, Katie Dearing, Maureen Horkan, Kevin Blazs, Robert Dees, Gary Wilkinson, Eric Roberson, Mark Borello, John Guy, W. Collins Cooper and James Kallaher.
Circuit court judges serve six-year terms.
Duval County Court
One Duval County Court election is on the ballot, with Shayla Lee and Matthew Lufrano seeking election to the Group 9 seat.
Appellate court judges
After being screened by Judicial Nominating Commissions for each of the six districts in the state and then interviewed by the governor, appellate court judges are appointed to the bench.
Within two years after their appointment, appellate judges appear on the ballot for retention, with voters given the choice whether to keep each judge on the bench.
Judges retained serve a six-year term and are placed on the ballot again before the expiration of that term.
State Supreme Court Justice Renatha Francis and state Supreme Court Justice Meredith Sasso are on the Nov. 5 ballot.
Fifth District Court of Appeal Judges Joe Boatwright, Eric Eisnaugle, Harvey Jay, Paige Kilbane, John MacIver, Jordan Pratt and Adrian Soud are on the ballot in the general election.
Visit tinyurl.com/ccww2a4b to learn more about each state Supreme Court justice and 5th District judge on the ballot for retention.
State Attorney for the 4th Judicial Circuit Melissa Nelson and 4th Circuit Public Defender Charlie Cofer both were unopposed and will not appear on the ballot.
Visit tinyurl.com/yckb48pt to learn more about judicial elections and Florida’s court system.
Visit thevotesinyourcourt.com to view The Florida Bar’s 2024 voter’s guide.