by Tracy McCormick-Dishman
With the voter registration deadline now passed for the upcoming August primary and qualifying officially closed, Nassau County voters are preparing to head to the polls. On Aug. 18, local residents will cast ballots that will determine several key leadership positions across the county, as well as municipal seats and local policy decisions.
Important election dates and deadlines
Voters gearing up for both the August primary and the November general election should keep the following dates on their radar:
- Primary Election Day: Tuesday, Aug. 18, 2026
- Early Voting Window: Aug. 6 – Aug. 15 (9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. daily)
- Vote-by-Mail Request Deadline: Thursday, Aug. 6 at 5:00 p.m.
- General Election Day: Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026
- Voter Registration Deadline (General Election): Oct. 5, 2026
- Early Voting Window: Oct. 22 – Oct. 31
County commission contests
Because no Democratic or minor-party candidates filed in District 2 or District 4, these Republican contests function as universal primaries. This means all registered voters living within those respective districts—regardless of party affiliation—are eligible to vote in the Aug. 18 primary to select their commissioner.
- District 2 (Nassauville, O’Neil, South Amelia Island): Incumbent Commissioner A.M. “Hupp” Huppmann (R) faces a bevy of primary challengers in Douglas Greene (R) and Laura Dotson (R) as he fights to retain his seat.
- District 4 (Northwest Nassau / Hilliard): Incumbent Board Chair Alyson McCullough (R) is being challenged by Cheryl Plaugher (R).
Nassau County School Board
School Board races in Florida are nonpartisan and appear on the Aug. 18 ballot for all voters within the designated district.
- District 5 (Callahan / West Yulee): Two-term incumbent Lissa Braddock faces challenger Angel Foster Cole. As school board contests in Florida are nonpartisan, the Primary Election results on Aug. 18 will be the final results.
- Districts 1 & 3: Incumbents Shannon Hogue (District 1) and Joe Zimmerman (District 3) ran unopposed and officially secured their seats at the close of qualifying.
Fernandina Beach municipal races and parking referendum
Voters residing within the city limits of Fernandina Beach will consider both candidate races and a citizen-led ballot measure this election cycle.
- City Commission Seat 4: A three-candidate nonpartisan race between Scott Inglis, Leonard “Len” Kreger, and Staci McMonagle will be decided on the Aug. 18 primary ballot.
- Fernandina Beach Mayor: Incumbent Commissioners Genece Minshew and Timothy Poynter will face off on the Nov. 3 General Election ballot.
- Paid Parking Referendum: City voters will decide on a citizen-driven ballot initiative regarding downtown parking. The referendum asks voters whether approval by the electorate should be required before the city can establish paid parking in designated areas.
By the numbers: Nassau County voter breakdown
Active registered voters as of the party registration deadline updated on the supervisor of elections website totaled 80,920, broken down by party affiliation:
- Republican: ~49,325 voters (61%)
- No Party Affiliation (NPA): ~14,744 voters (18%)
- Democratic: ~13,577 voters (17%)
- Other Minor Parties: ~3,274 voters (4%)
Voting is a fundamental right and one of the most powerful ways to shape the future of Nassau County. By casting your ballot, you have a direct say in local leadership, municipal policy, and public education. We commend each candidate for their efforts and wish them the best as they engage in this vital democratic process.
For additional election information, polling place lookups, or vote-by-mail requests, visit the Nassau County Supervisor of Elections website at votenassaufl.gov.
