STARKE – Voters in Starke will see a new election day for the 2022 cycle, as well as changes to the city’s commission districts.
In March, Starke’s City Commission voted to move the city’s Election Day to Aug. 23, the same day as the August Primary. The move, which is expected to increase voter turnout, allows the Bradford County Supervisor of Elections office to oversee city, county, and state elections at the same time.
City commission district lines have also been redrawn for the first time since the 1980s due to shifts in population. District 1 (south Starke) in particular has seen significant growth in recent years.
In the newly released map, approved in May, District 1 sacrifices territory to Districts 3, 4, and 5. In addition, District 2 (northeast Starke) adds territory east of U.S. 301.
The map changes are expected to play an important role in future election cycles, with City Manager Andrew Mullins saying, “We had districts that had big population variations. These new maps help resolve those variations, and ensure each part of the city has equal representation once again on our city commission.”
Qualifying to run for office in the city election will take place at the Bradford County Supervisor of Elections office between June 13-17. The city commission seats on the ballot this August are for Districts 1, 3 (northwest Starke), and 5 (western Starke).
