News/Updates

ADVANCES: WEEK OF OCTOBER 18, 2020
October 16, 2020     NSF Staff

TALLAHASSEE --- More than 2.2 million ballots have been cast in the Nov. 3 election before Floridians even walk into polling places.

But that is about to change Monday, when counties in many parts of the state open early voting sites.

Florida has seen an unprecedented number of people voting by mail in recent weeks, fueled by factors such as the coronavirus pandemic and the intense interest in the race between President Donald Trump and Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden.

Most of the state’s 14.4 million registered voters, however, have not cast ballots. And that means the number of people going to early voting sites will be closely watched during the next two weeks.

Democrats have far outdistanced Republicans in mail-in voting. But will the GOP make up ground at early voting sites before Election Day? And how will the parties try to turn out their loyalists?

All counties are required to offer early voting from Oct. 24 to Oct. 31. But they have the option to start as soon as Monday. Also, they can choose to extend early voting to Nov. 1.

And for Floridians who don’t vote by mail or vote early, there’s always the old-fashioned way: Show up on Election Day.


MONDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2020

EARLY VOTING BEGINS: Early voting in the Nov. 3 general election will begin Monday in Alachua, Bradford, Brevard, Broward, Calhoun, Charlotte, Citrus, Clay, Collier, DeSoto, Duval, Escambia, Flagler, Franklin, Gadsden, Hendry, Hernando, Hillsborough, Holmes, Indian River, Jackson, Jefferson, Lafayette, Lake, Lee, Leon, Levy, Madison, Manatee, Marion, Martin, Miami-Dade, Monroe, Nassau, Okaloosa, Okeechobee, Orange, Osceola, Palm Beach, Pasco, Pinellas, Polk, Putnam, Santa Rosa, Sarasota, Seminole, St. Johns, St. Lucie, Taylor, Volusia, Wakulla and Washington counties. All counties are required to offer early voting from Oct. 24 to Oct. 31, but they have the option of beginning as soon as Monday. They also have the option to extend early voting to Nov. 1.

NEW TOLL ROAD AT ISSUE: The Florida Department of Transportation will hold a meeting of a task force working on a proposal that would build a multi-use corridor, including a toll road, from Collier to Polk counties. The proposal is one of three potential toll-road projects backed last year by state lawmakers. The public can watch the task-force meeting online or at two viewing locations. (Monday, 9 a.m. Online registration at www.FloridaMCORES.com/events-calendar. Also, AdventHealth Conference Center, 210 Cypress Gardens Blvd., Winter Haven, or Bonita Springs/Estero Elks Lodge 2753, 3231 Coconut Road, Bonita Springs.)

SOUTH FLORIDA PLANNING COUNCIL MEETS: The South Florida Regional Planning Council will hold an online meeting. (Monday, 10:30 a.m. Go to https://sfregionalcouncil.org/ocotber-19th-sfrpc-meeting-notice/ for information.)

MACMANUS DISCUSSES WOMEN VOTERS: Susan MacManus, a longtime political-science professor at the University of South Florida, will discuss the impact of women voting during an online “Florida Suffrage Tea Time” hosted by the Florida Commission on the Status of Women. (Monday, noon. Register at https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/2835082346043162893)

MUSLIM VOTE AT ISSUE: Florida International University will hold an online event to discuss the impact of Muslim voters on the 2020 elections. (Monday, noon. Register at https://fiu.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_FSoZYEhPTqi4sdsil3NZPg)

FSU PRESIDENTIAL SEARCH ON AGENDA: The Florida State University Presidential Search Advisory Committee will hold its first meeting, as it begins working to find a replacement for retiring President John Thrasher. (Monday, 1 p.m., Augustus B. Turnbull III Florida State Conference Center, 555 West Pensacola St., Tallahassee.)

‘IBUDGET’ CHANGES EYED: The state Agency for Persons with Disabilities will hold an online workshop about rules to carry out a state law that makes changes in the “iBudget” program, which helps provide services to people with developmental and intellectual disabilities. (Monday, 1 p.m. Register at https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/8131087908325507339)

MARINE LITTER TARGETED: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Andrew Wheeler will hold a news conference in Boca Raton to discuss efforts to reduce global marine litter. Other participants in the news conference are expected to include U.S. Rep. Brian Mast, R-Fla. (Monday, 2 p.m., Boca Raton. Reporters may contact press@epa.gov for information about attending.)

SEMINOLE STATE TRUSTEES MEET: The Seminole State College of Florida Board of Trustees will meet. (Monday, 2 p.m. www.seminolestate.edu/live-video. Call-in number: 1-312-626-6799. Meeting ID: 92194465892)

HISTORIC PRESERVATION PLAN AT ISSUE: The Florida Division of Historical Resources will hold an online event to begin planning for the state’s 2022 to 2026 Comprehensive Historic Preservation Plan. (Monday, 5:30 p.m. Register at https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/7873105097140271376. Webinar ID: 422442067. Call-in number: 1-562- 247-8422. Code: 509095363)

BIDEN CAMPAIGN SEEKS TO RALLY BLACK MEN: Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden’s campaign and state Rep. Shevrin Jones, D-West Park, will hold an event as part of a “Black Men, VOTE!” initiative. Participants in the event are expected to include state Sen. Oscar Braynon, D-Miami Gardens, and Democratic National Committee Vice Chairman Michael Blake. (Monday, 6 p.m., The Palace Barbershop, 5600 Pembroke Road, West Park. Livestreamed at facebook.com/BidenForFL and facebook.com/RepShevrinJones)


TUESDAY, OCTOBER 20, 2020

EARLY VOTING CONTINUES: Early voting in the Nov. 3 general election will expand Tuesday to Liberty and Sumter counties. All counties are required to offer early voting from Oct. 24 to Oct. 31, but they have the option of beginning as soon as Monday. They also have the option to extend early voting to Nov. 1.

SOUTHWEST FLORIDA WATER BOARD MEETS: The Southwest Florida Water Management District Governing Board will meet. (Tuesday, 8 a.m., district headquarters, 2379 Broad St., Brooksville. Online at https://www.swfwmd.state.fl.us/about/newsroom/videos/live-video)

MIAMI-DADE COLLEGE TRUSTEES MEET: The Miami-Dade College Board of Trustees will meet. (Tuesday, 8 a.m., Miami-Dade College, Wolfson Campus, 300 N.E. Second Ave., Miami. Livestream at https://www.mdc.edu/livestream)

SUNCOAST PARKWAY EXTENSION EYED: The Florida Department of Transportation will hold a meeting of a task force working on a proposal that would extend the Suncoast Parkway from Citrus County to Jefferson County. The proposal is one of three potential toll-road projects backed last year by state lawmakers. The public can watch the task-force meeting online or at two viewing locations. (Tuesday, 9 a.m. Online registration at www.FloridaMCORES.com/events-calendar. Also, Morriston Baptist Church meeting room, 3141 U.S. 41, Morriston, or Dixie County Adult Education Center, 823 S.E. Highway 349, Old Town.)

ST. PETERSBURG COLLEGE TRUSTEES MEET: The St. Petersburg College Board of Trustees will meet. (Tuesday, 9 a.m., EpiCenter, 13805 58th St. North, Clearwater.)

CHAMBER HOSTS ‘FUTURE OF FLORIDA’ EVENT: The Florida Chamber of Commerce will start a three-day online “Future of Florida Forum.” Speakers during the first day are expected to include U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla.; Gov. Ron DeSantis; Attorney General Ashley Moody; and Larry Kudlow, assistant to the president and director of the National Economic Council. (Tuesday, 1 p.m. Registration for the event is closed.)

NORTHWEST FLORIDA COLLEGE BOARD MEETS: The Northwest Florida State College Board of Trustees is scheduled to meet. (Tuesday, 3 p.m., Northwest Florida State College, Student Services Center, 100 College Blvd., Niceville.)

SANTA FE COLLEGE TRUSTEES MEET: The Santa Fe College Board of Trustees will meet. (Tuesday, 4 p.m. For information about how to remotely attend the meeting or to arrange to provide public comment, contact 352-395-5170 or general.counsel@sfcollege.edu)

PENSACOLA COLLEGE TRUSTEES MEET: The Pensacola State College Board of Trustees will hold an online meeting. (Tuesday, 4:30 p.m. https://pensacolastate.zoom.us/j/96193879183. Call-in numbers: 1-877-369-0926 or 1-877-853-5247. Webinar ID: 96193879183)

SOUTHWEST TOLL ROAD DISCUSSED: The Florida Department of Transportation will hold an open house to discuss a proposal that would build a multi-use corridor, including a toll road, from Collier to Polk counties. (Tuesday, 5:30 p.m., Charlotte Harbor Event and Conference Center, 75 Taylor St., Punta Gorda.)

NORTH FLORIDA COLLEGE TRUSTEES MEET: The North Florida College Board of Trustees will meet. (Tuesday, 5:30 p.m., North Florida College, Student Center, Lakeside Room, Madison.)

CHIPOLA COLLEGE TRUSTEES MEET: The Chipola College Board of Trustees is scheduled to meet. (Tuesday, 6:30 p.m., Chipola College, Public Service Building, Marianna.)


WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2020

EARLY VOTING CONTINUES: Early voting in the Nov. 3 general election will expand Wednesday to Dixie and Gilchrist counties. All counties are required to offer early voting from Oct. 24 to Oct. 31, but they have the option of beginning as soon as Monday. They also have the option to extend early voting to Nov. 1.

CITRUS BUDGET DISCUSSED: The Florida Citrus Commission is expected to finalize its budget and consider an increase to a “box tax” growers pay to help market citrus products. The decisions come as the U.S. Department of Agriculture forecast for the recently started growing season indicated a 15 percent reduction in the orange crop and 7 percent fewer grapefruit than during the past season. . (Wednesday, 9 a.m., Florida Department of Citrus, 605 East Main St., Bartow. Call-in number: 1-888-585-9008. Code: 258577262)

TURNPIKE EXTENSION ON AGENDA: The Florida Department of Transportation will hold a meeting of a task force working on a proposal that would extend Florida’s Turnpike to connect with the Suncoast Parkway. The proposal is one of three potential toll-road projects backed last year by state lawmakers. The public can watch the task-force meeting online or at two viewing locations. (Wednesday, 9 a.m. Online registration at www.FloridaMCORES.com/events-calendar. Also, Sumter County Fairgrounds, 7620 Florida 471, Bushnell, or Citrus County Building Alliance, 1196 South Lecanto Highway, Lecanto.)

UNEMPLOYMENT CASES CONSIDERED: The state Reemployment Assistance Appeals Commission will meet. (Wednesday, 9:30 a.m. Call-in number: 1-888-585-9008. Code: 772093952)

VISIT FLORIDA EYES RURAL ISSUES: The Visit Florida Industry Services, Small Business and Rural Development Council will hold a conference call in advance of an Executive Committee meeting on Oct. 28. (Wednesday, 10 a.m. https://visitflorida.zoom.us/j/92275321186. Call-in numbers: 1-877-853-5257 or 1-888-475-4499. Code: 92275321186)

SCHALE SPEAKS TO TIGER BAY: Democratic strategist Steve Schale is expected to speak during an online meeting of the Flagler Tiger Bay Club. (Wednesday, 12:15 p.m. Register at https://flaglertigerbayclub.com/)

CHAMBER HOSTS ‘FUTURE OF FLORIDA’ EVENT: The Florida Chamber of Commerce will continue a three-day online “Future of Florida Forum.” Speakers during the second day are expected to include Education Commissioner Richard Corcoran; Rep. Vance Aloupis, R-Miami; Florida First Lady Casey DeSantis; and Dana Young, president and CEO of Visit Florida. (Wednesday, 1 p.m. Registration for the event is closed.)

ST. JOHNS COLLEGE BOARD MEETS: The St. Johns River State College Board of Trustees will meet. (Wednesday, 2 p.m. Meeting can be seen at youtube.com/sjrstate)

DEVELOPMENT FINANCE BOARD MEETS: The Florida Development Finance Corp. Board of Directors will meet. (Wednesday, 2 p.m., Florida Development Finance Corp., 156 Tuskawilla Road, Suite 2340, Winter Springs. Call-in number: 1-646-741-5292. Code: 1114579727)

CITIZENS COUNSEL AT ISSUE: A committee set up by the Citizens Property Insurance Board of Governors will discuss the state-backed insurer’s recruitment process to replace General Counsel Dan Sumner, who is retiring in January. (Wednesday, 3 p.m. Call-in number: 1-786-635-1003. Code: 98643729596)

HEMP ISSUES ON AGENDA: The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services’ Hemp Advisory Committee will meet in a conference call. (Wednesday, 4 p.m. Call-in number: 1-866-899-4679. Code: 570607149)

LAKE-SUMTER COLLEGE TRUSTEES MEET: The Lake-Sumter State College Board of Trustees will meet. (Wednesday, 5 p.m., Lake-Sumter State College, South Lake Campus, Building 2, 1250 North Hancock Road, Clermont.)


THURSDAY, OCTOBER 22, 2020

EARLY VOTING CONTINUES: Early voting in the Nov. 3 general election will expand Thursday into Baker, Columbia, Hardee and Highlands counties. All counties are required to offer early voting from Oct. 24 to Oct. 31, but they have the option of beginning as soon as Monday. They also have the option to extend early voting to Nov. 1.

UCF TRUSTEES MEET: The University of Central Florida Board of Trustees will meet. (Thursday, 8:30 a.m., University of Central Florida, Fairwinds Alumni Center, Orlando. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m7Vlmp2_uqk&feature=youtu.be)

SUPREME COURT RELEASES OPINIONS: The Florida Supreme Court is scheduled to release its weekly opinions. (Thursday, 11 a.m.)

CHAMBER HOSTS ‘FUTURE OF FLORIDA’ EVENT: The Florida Chamber of Commerce will conclude a three-day online “Future of Florida Forum.” Speakers during the third day are expected to include state Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis; Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried; Jamal Sowell, president and CEO of Enterprise Florida; incoming Senate President Wilton Simpson, R-Trilby; and incoming House Speaker Chris Sprowls, R-Palm Harbor. (Thursday, 1 p.m. Registration for the event is closed.)

NORTHWEST FLORIDA WATER BOARD MEETS: The Northwest Florida Water Management District Governing Board will meet. (Thursday, 1 p.m. Call-in number: 1-888-585-9008. Code: 778688267)

VISIT FLORIDA MARKETING AT ISSUE: The Visit Florida Marketing Council will hold a conference call to update the 2020-2021 marketing plan. (Thursday, 1 p.m. Call-in number: 1-646-876-9923. Code: 99937472653)

SPACE FLORIDA BOARD MEETS: The Space Florida Board of Directors will meet. (Thursday, 1:30 p.m., Hyatt Orlando Airport, 9300 Jeff Fuqua Blvd., Orlando. Call-in number: 1-866-528-2256. Code: 4875556)

MEDICAL MARIJUANA DISCUSSED: The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services’ Medical Cannabis Advisory Committee will meet in a conference call. (Thursday, 4 p.m. Call-in number: 1-866-899-4679. Code: 908306109)

TURNPIKE EXTENSION ON TABLE: The Florida Department of Transportation will hold an open house to discuss a proposal that would extend Florida’s Turnpike to connect with the Suncoast Parkway. (Thursday, 5:30 p.m., Plantation on Crystal River, 9301 West Fort Island Trail, Crystal River.)

SUNCOAST PARKWAY EXTENSION OUTLINED: The Florida Department of Transportation will hold an open house to discuss a proposal that would extend the Suncoast Parkway from Citrus County to Jefferson County. (Thursday, 5:30 p.m., Madison County Church of God, 771 N.E. Colin Kelly Highway, Madison.)

NORTH CENTRAL PLANNING COUNCIL MEETS: The North Central Florida Regional Planning Council will hold an online meeting. (Thursday, 7 p.m. https://global.gotomeeting.com/join/944106901. Call-in number: 1-866-899-4679. Code: 944106901)


FRIDAY, OCTOBER 23, 2020

SPEECH-LANGUAGE BOARD MEETS: The Florida Board of Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology will hold an online meeting. (Friday, 9 a.m. https://global.gotomeeting.com/join/381000533. Call-in number: 1-866-899-4679. Code: 381000533)

ETHICS COMMISSION MEETS: The Florida Commission on Ethics will meet. (Friday, 11 a.m., 110 Senate Office Building, the Capitol.)

CHILD ABUSE DEATHS AT ISSUE: The State Child Abuse Death Review Committee is slated to meet. (Friday, 12:30 p.m. Call-in number: 1-888-585-9008. Code: 574649225)

FINANCE REPORTS DUE: State candidates and political committees face a Friday deadline for filing reports detailing finance activity through Oct. 16.


SATURDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2020

EARLY VOTING CONTINUES: Early voting in the Nov. 3 general election will begin Saturday in Bay, Glades, Gulf, Hamilton, Suwannee, Union and Walton counties. All counties are required to offer early voting from Oct. 24 to Oct. 31, but they have the option of beginning as soon as Monday. They also have the option to extend early voting to Nov. 1.  

 

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Darrin "Scribe" Brooks

State Vice President

State Legislative Trustee,

ABATE of Florida, Inc.

www.abateflorida.com