(ESCAMBIA COUNTY, F.L.) --- Escambia County Board of Elections Supervisor said the August 18 Primary Election is a good day overall.
“Just our normal hiccups that we usually see with the opening of 80 precincts, uh, at 7 a.m.,” Bender told OpGov.News a few hours before the polls close. “But the great thing is that we have policies and procedures in place to handle it.”
The county election will not include hundreds of ballots because of the high number of uncontested races here. The pattern is not unique. Two-thirds of political candidates face no challengers.
It is evident in the August Century Primary Election. Incumbents Shelisa Abraham, John Bass, and Sparkie Harrison will all be sworn in January 2027, not sweating an August or November election.
(Photo: Facebook post of Century Councilwoman Shelisa Abraham casting her vote on August 18)
The three Century officials are not alone, with hundreds of elections nationwide going unopposed.
That is the same for Pensacola City Council member Allison Patton, who also takes the automatic win Tuesday, August 18.
(Photo: Escambia County Supervisor of Elections Candidate List showing four unopposed candidates in a row for the August 2026 Primary Election)
California is another example of elected officials not being held accountable by a challenger, instead remaining on the dais by default, as is the case for Escambia County Soil & Water District's three candidates, Carolyn Taylor, Norman Jeffrey DeWeese, and Misha Moyer Phillips.
Lastly, Escambia County Court Judge Charles Philip Young will remain “Your Honor,” and the Santa Rosa Island Authority post will remain with Steve Luppert.
Bender said after 7 p.m. the Escambia County Elections website will begin to show results from all 80 precincts, including early voter tabulations.
OpGov.News will be reporting throughout the night on all Escambia County campaign races, including the two referendum questions.
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