Here are the important dates and deadlines for the 2024 Palm Beach County Municipal Elections:
Presidential Preference Primary (PPP) & Uniform Municipal Elections:
Deadline to register to vote and, in the PPP, to register with the Republican Party: Tuesday, February 20, 2024.
Early Voting: From March 9, 2024, to March 17, 2024, between 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m.
Deadline to request a Vote-by-Mail ballot (to be mailed to you): 5:00 p.m. on Thursday, March 7, 2024.
Deadline to return your Vote-by-Mail ballot to the Main Office: 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, March 19, 2024.
Election Day: Tuesday, March 19, 2024, from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Note: Only the Republican Party is holding a Presidential Preference Primary in Florida this year. Democratic Voters: Democrats will not vote in the PPP because the Florida Democratic Party nominated Joseph R. Biden Jr. as its only candidate and chose him for the November ballot last year. REPUBLICAN TURNOUT IS EXPECTED TO BE HIGH AND DEMOCRATS SHOULD NOT ALLOW LOW TURNOUT
Uniform Municipal Elections In North County:
Juno Beach:
The five-member council headed into election season with four seats on the council up for grabs.
Seat 2, vacated by Elaine Cotronakis in December, has been changed to the Mayor seat for the election cycle. Incumbent Mayor Alexander Cooke (R) and Vice Mayor Peggy Wheeler (R) are running for the two-year role.
Jacob Rosengarten (R) is running unopposed for Seat 3 with a two-year term and Council Member DD Halpern (D) is running unopposed for Seat 4 with a three-year term.
Candidates Dean Anthon (R) and Diana Davis (D) are running against each other for Seat 5 with a one-year term.
Jupiter Inlet Colony:
Seats 2 and 4 are up for election in this town of about 400 people.
Incumbent Marie Rosner (R) and Sharon Seagren (R) are running unopposed for the two-year posts.
North Palm Beach:
The five-member council currently has four of its seats filled after three members resigned in November and December to avoid having to fill out Form 6, which requires local officials to disclose exact numbers of their net worth under a new state law. Only two people — Karen Marcus and Judy Pierman — stepped up temporarily.
Four seats are up for election in March, each with two-year terms.
Incumbent Deborah Searcy (NP) is running unopposed for Seat 1. Orlando Puyol (R) and William Luzuriagga (R) are competing for Seat 3. Kristin Garrison is running unopposed for Seat 4. Lisa Interlandi (D) and Ronald K. Lantz (R) (withdrew candidacy on 1/31/24) Seat 5.
Puyol previously ran for council but lost to Darryl Aubrey in 2022.
The village will ask property owners in three areas whether they want to annex their lands into North Palm Beach.
Palm Beach Gardens:
There are no council seats up for election this cycle in the city.
The city will ask property owners in five areas whether they want to annex their lands into Palm Beach Gardens.
Riviera Beach:
A pair of City Council elections are on the docket in Riviera Beach, Palm Beach County's largest majority-Black city of nearly 40,000 people.
KaShamba Miller-Anderson (D), an assistant principal in the Palm Beach County School District, is seeking her fourth three-year term as the councilwoman for District 2. A fellow educator, Leroy Kelson IV (NP), is challenging Miller-Anderson.
In District 4, incumbent Julia Botel (D), a retired educator, is in a rematch with Glen Spiritis (NP), a former Long Island, New York, city manager whom Botel defeated in 2021. Eligibility has been an issue in both races, as it took a judicial ruling to determine that Kelson and Botel made good-faith efforts to follow state law in submitting their filing fees and qualification documents.
Riviera Beach voters also will decide whether to approve a referendum that would authorize the city to raise $115 million in bond money for infrastructure projects.
Tequesta:
Two seats are up for election this year, each with two-year terms.
Jayson French (R), who has worked as a firefighter for the past 17 years, is running unopposed for Seat 1.
Incumbent Rick Sartory (R) and Jessica Namath (NP) are competing for Seat 5.
Why staying involved in municipal elections in Florida is crucial:
Local Impact: Municipal elections directly affect our daily lives. Local elected officials make decisions about services like parks and recreation, police and fire departments, housing, emergency medical services, municipal courts, and transportation. By participating in these elections, we can shape policies that impact our neighborhoods and communities.
Community Well-Being: Voting for local officials who prioritize justice and equity is essential. Initiatives and investments made by local leaders significantly impact our quality of life. Whether it’s improving public spaces, addressing housing affordability, or enhancing public safety, our involvement matters.
Accountability: Voting is just the first step. We must also hold our local elected officials accountable. Attend community meetings, share information, and bring attention to unethical decisions or practices. Staying informed about political happenings is key.
Advocacy: As citizens, we have a responsibility to advocate for justice in housing, education, employment, and criminal justice. Our voices matter, and we can use them to create a more just society. Learn about important issues, take action, and engage with friends and family to make a difference.
Guard Against Special Interests: We need local leaders who prioritize the needs of the community over personal gain. Some candidates may have ties to real estate or development industries, which could lead to decisions benefiting those sectors rather than the broader public. Be vigilant and support candidates who genuinely represent the interests of residents, not just specific groups or industries.
Remember, an informed and engaged electorate can help maintain the integrity of local government and promote transparency and accountability. Let’s participate and shape the future of NORTH PALM BEACH COUNTY!