OKEECHOBEE – Okeechobee County Supervisor of Elections Melissa Arnold has withdrawn her name from the Supervisor of Elections race.

Why withdraw now?

“I’m ready to retire,” she said. “My husband has retired and I’m ready to join him.”

When did she make the decision to retire?

“No comment,” said Arnold.

There are two ways to qualify for local office. Most candidates choose the petition method, which requires them to obtain signatures from 1% of the voter role from the last election. For Okeechobee County, the magic number is 228. Any registered voter may sign any petition. Party affiliation does not matter. The deadline for candidates to turn in petitions was May 13.

 As of May 13, when the deadline to qualify by petition closed, Arnold was the only candidate in the Supervisor of Elections race.

Why didn’t she announce her retirement sooner, when other potential candidates could qualify by petition?

“No comment,” said Arnold.

Did she get any signatures on the petitions to qualify for election?

“No comment,” said Arnold.

One candidate entered the race after the deadline to qualify by petition:  David May, currently employed as a Deputy Supervisor of Elections. May is registered Republican.

To enter the race at this point, candidates must pay a filing fee equaling 6% of the annual salary of the Supervisor of Elections ($7,371.72) if they are a Democrat or Republican or 4% of the salary if they are no party affiliation ($4,914.48).

The deadline to qualify as a candidate paying the filing fee is noon on June 14.

The state sets the salaries for elected officials based on county population size. The position of Okeechobee County Supervisor of Elections has an annual salary of $122,862. Annual salaries for Clerk of the Circuit Court, Property Appraiser and Tax Collector are also $122,882.

Salary for Okeechobee County Sheriff is $158,712.

Salary for Okeechobee County Judge is $180,616.

Salary for Okeechobee County Commissioner is $41,333. Salary for school board is $34,421.

Voter registration for the primary election closes July 22. Early voting will be Aug. 10-17, from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Supervisor of Elections Office in the Historic Okeechobee County Courthouse, 304 N.W. Second Street. Election Day is Aug. 20 from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Voter registration for the general election closes Oct. 7. Early voting will be Oct. 21-Nov. 2, from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Supervisor of Elections Office. Election Day is Nov. 5 from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Election Day voting is in the precinct in which you live.

Any registered voter may apply to vote by mail. Request an absentee ballot by mail, phone, email or in person at the Supervisor of Elections Office. Absentee ballots must be received by the Elections Office no later than 7 p.m. on Election Day.  

For more information, see the Supervisor of Elections website at www.voteokeechobee.gov; call the office at 863-763-4014; email: Elections@voteokeechobee.gov; or visit the Supervisor of Elections Office in Room 144 of the Historic Okeechobee County Courthouse.