Florida is a closed primary state, but several nonpartisan and universal primary contests are open to all eligible voters
Brevard County voters are preparing to cast their ballots in Florida’s 2026 Primary Election on Tuesday, August 18.
BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA – Brevard County voters are preparing to cast their ballots in Florida’s 2026 Primary Election on Tuesday, August 18.
Before heading to the polls, voters are encouraged to review their registration information, understand which races will appear on their ballots and become familiar with Florida’s primary election rules.
Florida is a closed primary state, meaning only voters registered with a political party may vote in that party’s primary contests. However, all eligible voters may participate in nonpartisan races, including judicial, school board and municipal contests, along with referenda and universal primary contests appearing on their ballots.
Governor and Lieutenant Governor Appear as One Choice
Voters reviewing their ballots may notice that the Governor and Lieutenant Governor race instructs them to “Vote for One,” even though two offices are listed.
The Executive Office of the Governor is considered one office for voting purposes. Candidates for governor and lieutenant governor run as a team, meaning voters cast one vote for the joint ticket.
Some Democratic voters may also notice that only one gubernatorial candidate has a running mate listed. Florida law does not require a candidate for governor to select a lieutenant governor running mate until after the primary. However, one candidate chose to designate a running mate before this year’s election.
Why Some Local Contests Are Not on the Ballot
The Titusville City Council Seat 3 race will not appear on the August 18 ballot because only two candidates qualified. The race will advance directly to the General Election.
Had three or more candidates qualified, the contest would have appeared on the primary ballot, with the top two advancing to the General Election if no candidate received a majority.
The Canaveral Port Authority District 1 race will not appear because only one candidate qualified. That candidate is considered elected without opposition.
The Canaveral Port Authority District 3 contest includes two Republican candidates and a write-in candidate. As a result, the race will appear on Republican primary ballots and will return for all eligible Canaveral Port Authority voters in the General Election.
District 5 Is Open to Voters Regardless of Party
The Canaveral Port Authority District 5 race is a Universal Primary Contest. Therefore, all eligible Canaveral Port Authority voters may participate in the race regardless of their political party affiliation.
A Universal Primary Contest occurs when every candidate seeking an office belongs to the same political party and the primary winner will face no opposition in the General Election. Under those circumstances, all eligible voters may participate in the primary contest.
Although Canaveral Port Authority candidates must live within their respective residential districts, board members are elected at-large by voters throughout the Port Authority district.
Voters who expected to receive a mail ballot but did not should be aware that Florida changed the length of time a vote-by-mail request remains valid.
Mail ballot requests are now valid for one two-year General Election cycle. All requests submitted before January 1, 2025, expired, requiring voters to submit a new request for the 2026 election cycle.
The deadline to request that a mail ballot be sent for the August 18 Primary Election was August 6 at 5 p.m. That deadline has passed.
Voters should carefully review their sample ballots and confirm their polling information before Election Day. Additional election information is available through the Brevard County Supervisor of Elections.
