Hunter Walterman
•7/10/2026
NAPLES, Fla. (WINK)—Vote-by-mail ballots for Florida's primary election are now being sent to voters across Collier County.
The Collier County Elections Office started mailing almost 35,000 ballots to voters. Voters who want a vote-by-mail ballot for the primary or general election must request one by Aug. 6.
Some voters are already looking ahead to November, while others say the August primary hasn't fully entered their minds yet. Gino Donofrio said the election is on his radar but hasn't become a priority.
"It's entering our mind, but we really haven't fully concentrated on it," Donofrio said.
Trish Robertson, communications director for the Collier County elections office, said election season feels like it started immediately after the 2024 election ended. The office faced challenges educating voters after Florida lawmakers approved new congressional maps that shuffled voters into different districts.
"We had to send over 170,000 voter information cards," Robertson said.
Hank Rome, who worked at an elections office in Long Island, already requested his absentee ballot. He said voting is crucial during this time in the country.
"It's an interesting time in our country, and I think it's important that everybody vote," Rome said.
Ernest Villatore agreed voting is important but expressed concern about the current political atmosphere.
"It's antagonistic, you know, the Democrats and Republicans hate each other," Villatore said.
Cape Coral police arrested a 58-year-old man for ripping up multiple campaign signs belonging to Cape Coral Mayor John Gunter. Despite partisan tensions, voters emphasized the importance of participating in elections.
"It's important that we have leaders in our country who you feel comfortable with, and the only way to get that is by voting," Rome said.
Collier County will start counting votes after testing the systems and receiving approval from the canvassing board.
