Municipal Elections in Ft. Myers and Cape Coral Postponed Due to Impact of Hurricane Irma on Lee County Voters

Governor Rick Scott issued an Executive Order on September 15, 2017, postponing municipal elections in Ft. Myers and Cape Coral to October 3, 2017, following an appeal by Common Cause Florida, State Voices Florida, the League of Women Voters Florida and the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law to delay these elections because of the devastating impact of Hurricane Irma on Lee County voters.

“Common Cause Florida is pleased that the Lee County Supervisor of Elections Office is assisting the municipalities in executing their elections have chosen to provide greater access to the ballot for its citizens making it easier for the electorate to fully participate,” said Liza McClenaghan, state chair for Common Cause Florida. “The postponement helps ensure that a natural disaster was not compounded by denying residents of hard hit areas the ability to choose their elected officials.” 

“We thank Governor Scott and Lee County Supervisor of Elections, Tommy Doyle, for postponing these elections to ensure that eligible voters in Ft. Myers and Cape Coral, particularly minority voters who are struggling to recover from the impact of this deadly storm, will be able to exercise their right to participate in these important municipal elections,” said Kristen Clark, executive director and president of the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law. “We encourage eligible voters seeking to exercise their right to vote to call the 1-866-OUR-VOTE (1-866-687-8683) Election Protection hotline with any voting-related questions during early voting or on Election Day.”

“It’s vital to our democracy that every citizen gets the opportunity to exercise their right to vote in the most accessible and fair manner,” said Pamela Goodman, president of the League of Women Voters of Florida. “This postponement assures that right for the citizens of Lee County.”

Early Voting for the Ft. Myers and Cape Coral elections will take place on Thursday, September 28 through Saturday, September 30, between the hours of 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.  For more information about elections, candidates, voter registration, early voting, vote-by-mail requests, precinct locations, poll workers, and Community Education Services events, Lee County voters may also visit the Lee County elections website at www.lee.vote or call LEE VOTE (533-8683).