Florida Governor DeSantis Schedules Special Election for Matt Gaetz’s Seat: Primary on January 28, General on April 1, Early Voting in March

Nov 22, 2024, 08:33 PM

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has announced the timeline for the special election to fill the congressional seat vacated by Matt Gaetz. The primary election is scheduled for January 28, 2025, with early voting commencing in March and the general election set for April 1, 2025. This timeline is the fastest permitted under state law, according to Florida Secretary of State Cord Byrd. The decision to hold the election on this expedited schedule has drawn mixed reactions, particularly regarding its potential impact on the Republican majority in the House. The district, known as FL-1, is considered a safe GOP seat located in the western part of the Florida Panhandle. Officials have indicated that any state official wishing to run must resign by November 25, 2024, to participate in the election.