PANAMA CITY — Voters will fill seven local government seats Tuesday as they take to the polls for this year’s Municipal Super Tuesday elections.
Elections will be held in Callaway, Mexico Beach and Panama City Beach, with polls open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
“It comes down to the voters at this point,” Bay County Supervisor of Elections Mark Andersen said Monday. “Those who vote will be the ones making the decisions.”
Early voting was held for each municipality last week, with turnout varied across the board.
The highest early participation rate was seen in Mexico Beach, with 26 early ballots and 114 absentee ballots cast, for a 12.6 percent participation rate. In Callaway, 83 early ballots and 306 absentee ballots were cast, a 4.6 percent participation rate. Panama City Beach saw the lowest early participation rate at 3.3 percent, comprised from 69 early votes and 281 absentee votes.
While the ballots in both Mexico Beach and Callaway contain three candidates each this year, Panama City Beach voters likely will need extra time to consider 12 proposed amendments to the city charter, along with their choice for the Ward 3 Council seat.
Although Andersen does not estimate voter turnout, he encouraged voters to weigh in if they haven’t already.
“Turnout is up to the voters,” Andersen said. “Tomorrow is the last opportunity for them to cast a ballot for one of those three cities.”
Voter turnout for municipal elections is traditionally lower than that of larger elections. Turnout in last year’s Mexico Beach election was 42 percent, while Panama City Beach and Callaway had 24 percent and 17 percent turnouts, respectively, during the last elections in 2012.
Votes can be cast only by residents of Callaway, Panama City Beach or Mexico Beach. Andersen said anyone unsure of whether they live within those city limits should contact the Supervisor of Elections Office or visit www.bayvotes.org to look up a sample ballot. He also advised voters to bring a valid form of identification to the polling place.
Polling locations
- Panama City Beach: Frank Brown Park, 16200 Panama City Beach Parkway
- Callaway: Callaway Arts & Conference Center, 500 Callaway Parkway
- Mexico Beach: Mexico Beach Civic Center, 105 N. 31st St.
Who’s running?
Callaway
- Mayor: Thomas Abbott, Janene Melvin
- Commission Ward 1: Melba Covey, Dennis DeLapp
- Commission Ward 3: John J. Malone, Bob Pelletier
Mexico Beach
- Council Group 2: Mary Blackburn, Greg Woodham
- Council Group 4: Tom Bailey, Tanya Castro
- Council Group 5: Bill McGlothlin, Jeff Tendler
Panama City Beach*
- Council Ward 3: Skip Alford, Josie Strange
* Panama City Beach voters also will consider 12 city charter amendments.