Know your vote: Business guide to 2024 General Election
The Nov. 5 General Election is quickly approaching, and the St. Johns County Chamber of Commerce is committed to ensuring you're informed about the races and measures that can impact the business community.
Many local races were decided in the Aug. 20 Primary Election, but voters still have many important decisions in the upcoming election. Be sure to confirm your voter status and request a sample ballot from the SJC Supervisor of Elections. Voters can request a vote-by-mail ballot until Oct. 24 at 5 p.m. Early voting begins Oct. 21.
Following is a summary of key races and issues that will be decided in the General Election:
National
President of the United States
Donald Trump, Republican
Kamala Harris, Democrat
State
U.S. Senator
Surprisingly close race between incumbent Republican Rick Scott and Democratic challenger Debbie Mucarsel-Powell, a former U.S. Representative from South Florida.
Representative in Congress District 5 (North St. Johns County)
Incumbent Republican John Rutherford against Democratic challenger Jay McGovern, a retired Naval aviator.
Representative in Congress District 6 (South St. Johns County)
Incumbent Republican Michael Waltz faces Democratic challenger James David Stockton, senior pastor of Greater New Hope Church in Ocala and a former president of the NAACP.
State Senator District 7
Republican state Rep. Tom Leek faces Democratic challenger George Anthony “T” Hill for a seat replacing term limited state Sen. Travis Hutson.
State Representative District 18
Former FAA air traffic controller and small business owner Republican Kim Kendall faces Democrat Keith Matthews, a hospice nurse, for the seat of retiring state Rep. Cyndi Stevenson.
State Representative District 19
Republican Sam Greco, a retired Navy JAG officer and attorney, and Democrat Adam Morley, a commercial fisherman, are vying for the seat of retiring Speaker of the House Paul Renner.
State Representative District 20
A race between Republican Judson Sapp, owner of W.J. Sapp Railroad Contractor, and Democrat Anthony Connolly, a mobile detail business owner and chair of the Putnam County Democratic Executive Committee, to representthe western county district held by retiring state Rep. Bobby Payne.
County
Sheriff
Incumbent Sheriff Rob Hardwick, a Republican, faces no challenger; voters can write in a candidate.
County Commissioner District 1
Incumbent Republican Christian Whitehurst faces no challenger; voters can write in a candidate.
County Commissioner District 3
Primary winner Republican Clay Murphy, who owns Sonny’s BBQ franchises in St. Johns County, faces no challenger; voters can write in a candidate.
County Commissioner District 5
Republican primary winner Ann Taylor, a retired sales and marketing executive, is running against NPA candidate Merrill Paul Roland of St. Augustine. (Roland does not have a campaign website.)
City
City of St. Augustine Commission Seat 1
Jon DePreter, a former 9-year member of the city’s Planning and Zoning Board, faces Billy Triay, a seventh-generation St. Augustine resident who manages the University of Florida’s Historic Buildings in St. Augustine. The nonpartisan seat is current held by Vice Mayor Roxanne Horvath, who is not running for re-election.
Ballot measures
School Board Referendums
One-half cent sales surtax for construction, reconstruction and improvement of school facilities: The half-cent sales tax continuation, valued at $37 million annually, supports capital improvements in the school district, including construction of new schools, maintaining and upgrading technology, and implementing security systems.
One mill operating millage to increase teacher pay and for other purposes: The 1-mill increase in property taxes is expected to bring an annual $58 million in revenue and will enhance salaries and benefits for educators and other staff, allow more investment in student safety, and preserve important educational programs, like STEM, art and the successful career academies.
State Constitutional Amendments
Six proposed amendments to the Constitution of Florida will appear on the ballot. To pass and become effective, an amendment must be approved by 60% or more voters.
Amendment 1: Proposing amendments to the State Constitution to require members of a district school board to be elected in a partisan election rather than a nonpartisan election and to specify that the amendment only applies to elections held on or after the November 2026 general election. However, partisan primary elections may occur before the 2026 general election for purposes of nominating political party candidates to that office for placement on the 2026 general election ballot.
Amendment 2: Proposing an amendment to the State Constitution to preserve forever fishing and hunting, including by the use of traditional methods, as a public right and preferred means of responsibly managing and controlling fish and wildlife. Specifies that the amendment does not limit the authority granted to the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission under Section of Article IV of the State Constitution.
Amendment 3: Allows adults 21 years or older to possess, purchase, or use marijuana products and marijuana accessories for non-medical personal consumption by smoking, ingestion, or otherwise; allows Medical Marijuana Treatment Centers, and other state licensed entities, to acquire, cultivate, process, manufacture, sell, and distribute such products and accessories.
Amendment 4: No law shall prohibit, penalize, delay, or restrict abortion before viability or when necessary to protect the patient’s health, as determined by the patient’s healthcare provider. This amendment does not change the Legislature’s constitutional authority to require notification to a parent or guardian before a minor has an abortion.
Amendment 5: Proposing an amendment to the State Constitution to require an annual adjustment for inflation to the value of current or future homestead exemptions that apply solely to levies other than school district levies and for which every person who has legal or equitable title to real estate and maintains thereon the permanent residence of the owner, or another person legally or naturally dependent upon the owner is eligible.
Amendment 6: Proposing the repeal of the provision in the State Constitution which requires public financing for campaigns of candidates for elective statewide office who agree to campaign spending limits.