Judicial Candidates Qualify For 2020 Primary Election Ballot

HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, FL — Hillsborough County Supervisor of Elections Craig Latimer announced that the judicial qualifying period in Hillsborough County has ended.

The following candidates will appear on the 2020 primary election ballot on Aug. 18:

Hillsborough County Court Judge, Group 7:

• Nancy L. Jacobs
• Monique Scott
• Rickey "Rick" Silverman
• Bill Yanger

County court judicial candidates in Groups 6, 9, 16 and 17 will be elected without opposition.

Latimer is calling on the community to spend a few minutes online now to prepare for the 2020 primary and general elections, including registering to vote, or, if already registered, confirming that their voter information is up to date and to submit a request for vote-by-mail ballots.

Voters must be registered to vote by July 20 to vote in the primary election. Online voter registration is available on the supervisor of elections website.

"It was heartbreaking to get calls on election day from voters who couldn't leave their house and had planned to vote on election day. If you request vote by mail, that won't happen. You'll get your ballot at home, and you can mail it back or drop it off in person once you've voted," he said.

Unlike some states, Florida has no-excuse vote by mail, the preferred voting method for about a third of Hillsborough County's voters.

"But we need more," Latimer said. "In 2020, a significant increase in vote by mail will be the key to managing crowds and wait time during in-person voting."

For those who can't visit the supervisor of elections website, Latimer has staff working remotely who are processing paper applications, taking phone calls, answering emails and scheduling appointments when necessary.

Address updates, vote by mail requests and general questions can be handled by phone at 813-612-4180 or 813-744-5900 or email at voter@hcsoe.org.

Those who have questions about filing or qualifying to run for office should call 813-384-3944

The 2020 primary election will include nonpartisan judicial and school board races that all voters may vote for, regardless of party affiliation.

The candidate qualifying period that determines all other candidates who will be on the ballot takes place June 8 to 12.

Candidates for federal office, circuit judge, state attorney and public defender qualify with the Florida Division of Elections.

Early voting takes place Aug. 3 to 16 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. The supervisor of elections will begin mailing out vote-by-mail ballots on July 9, and voted ballots must be returned by 7 p.m. on Aug. 18.