The polls at Bay Oaks Recreation Center have been bustling with activity as voters participate in the first recall election in Fort Myers Beach history. More than 1,500 people have already cast their ballots.
Polls at Bay Oaks Recreation Center, the only polling location on the island, remained open until 7 p.m.
The recall election began months ago when a group of citizens formed a recall committee and gathered enough verified signatures to trigger this vote. Supporters cited concerns about the Seagate Development vote, alleged Sunshine Law violations, and claims of unreported gifts.
Voters are now deciding whether to remove Council Members John King and Karen Woodson. Although Councilman King's name is on the ballot, a judge ruled that his recall votes won't count due to insufficient evidence.
On the same ballot, voters can choose from three candidates—Tom Brady, Rebecca Link, and Ed Rood—who could fill any vacant seats.
Cindy Johnson, a Fort Myers Beach resident who has been involved since the start, emphasized the importance of the movement.
"This is actually an effort to save our community and Fort Myers Beach," said Johnson. "Without their community, we wouldn't be that eclectic place that we are. We'd be a bunch of transients and with no community, who's going to volunteer for all the things that these residents have been doing all these years and made Fort Myers Beach what it was and is."