GREEN COVE SPRINGS – Florida’s Primary Election is approaching on Aug. 20, so the deadline to register or change political parties is coming up in a few days on July 22.

So what does that mean?

Registering to vote in the primary and the General Election on Nov. 5 has never been easier.

You can register online at VoteFlorida.gov. All you need is your Florida driver’s license or Florida Identification card issued by the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, along with the date your card was issued. You’ll also need the last four digits of your Social Security number.

To be eligible, you must be a U.S. citizen, a legal resident of Florida, a legal resident of the county where you register, at least 16 if you are preregistering or 18 if you are registering to vote if you haven’t been adjudicated mentally incapacitated to vote in Florida or any other state without having the right being restored or being convicted of a felony without having the right restored.

You can also register by downloading the registration form at clayelections.gov/Voter-Information/Register-to-Vote-Update-Info and return it in person to 500 N. Orange Ave., Green Cove Springs, Fla., 32043, or mail it to P.O. Box 337, Green Cove Springs, Fla, 32043.

You can also register at the Driver’s License Offices, Public Assistance Offices, Public Libraries, Offices that serve those with disabilities and Armed Forces recruitment offices.

Forms can’t be emailed or faxed but will be accepted if postmarked by Aug. 22.

Early voting for the Primary Election is Aug. 8 through Aug. 17.

“What the book closing also means is that changes to party registration in the State of Florida also needs to happen on the 22^nd or prior,” said Supervisor of Elections Chris Chambless.

That played a significant role in the past because Florida is a Closed Primary State. That means only Democrats can vote for Democrat candidates, and Republicans can only vote for Republicans.

The only Clay County race affected by the Closed Primary State restriction is for a seat as a Republican Executive Committeewoman. Democrats cannot vote between Helena Joanne Cormier, Tanya Kacsan or Erin Skipper.

They will be able to join all other voters in voting for four school board candidates for District 2 – Robert Alverto, Sharon E. Flowers, Jim Hughes and Matthew Mitchell – and Circuit Judge, Fourth Judicial Circuit Group 34, between Nancy Cleveland and Ashley Wells Cox.

The winners of all three elections will be unopposed for the General Election.

One of the biggest elections in November will be for Clay County Sheriff. Incumbent Michelle Cook, a Republican, is running against former Sheriff Darryl Daniels, who has no party affiliation. Since they aren’t in the same party, both advanced to the General Election.

The deadline to register or change party affiliation for the General Election is Oct. 7, with early voting running from Oct. 22 through Nov. 2.

For more information, visit clayelections.gov.