Esther Byrd

07/13/2026

🇺🇸 CIVICS MONDAY: Why does voter registration close 29 days before an election?

The answer is simple: because Florida law requires it.

Under Section 97.055, Florida Statutes, voter registration books close on the 29th day before each election. For Florida’s August 18, 2026 Primary Election, that means the deadline to register to vote or change your political party affiliation is:

📅 Monday, July 20, 2026

But what does “book closing” actually mean?

It establishes the deadline for new voter registrations and party affiliation changes for that election. During the book-closing period, election officials finalize voter registration records and determine voter eligibility for the upcoming election.

💡 Important to know: Already registered voters may still make certain updates to their existing voter registration record, including an address change, after the book-closing deadline.

And remember: Florida is a closed-primary state. To vote in a political party’s primary, you generally must be registered with that party by the book-closing deadline.

29 days. Required by law. Part of Florida’s election process.

✨ Purposeful Citizenship
Learn. Compare. Participate.

United by Patriotism • Guided by Grace • Driven by Purpose

07/06/2026

📬 One Month Left to Request a Vote-by-Mail Ballot!

If you plan to vote by mail in Florida’s Primary Election, don’t wait until the last minute.

🗓️ August 6, 2026 is the deadline to request a vote-by-mail ballot for the August 18 Primary Election.

Even if you’re planning to vote in person, a vote-by-mail ballot can be a great Plan B if work, travel, family obligations, weather, or an unexpected situation prevents you from getting to the polls.

Voting by mail doesn’t mean you have to use it—but having the option can provide peace of mind.

✔️ Request your ballot
✔️ Review your voting options
✔️ Make a plan—and a backup plan

Being an informed and prepared voter is an important part of active citizenship.

✨ Purposeful Citizenship
United by Patriotism • Guided by Grace • Driven by Purpose

06/29/2026

🏛️ Civics Monday: State Representative vs. U.S. Representative

Have you ever wondered who represents you in Tallahassee and who represents you in Washington?

While both are elected to represent the people, they serve at different levels of government and focus on different issues.

🔹 State Representatives serve in the Florida House of Representatives and work on issues that impact Floridians at the state level, including education, public safety, transportation, insurance, and state taxes.

🔹 U.S. Representatives serve in the U.S. House of Representatives in Washington, D.C. and work on national issues such as federal taxes, defense, immigration, foreign policy, and Social Security. They are often referred to as Congressmen or Congresswomen.

💡 Did you know?

You have both a State Representative and a U.S. Representative. Each has different responsibilities, but both represent you and your interests.

Understanding who does what is an important part of being an informed citizen and knowing where to turn when issues arise.

✨ Purposeful Citizenship
United by Patriotism • Guided by Grace • Driven by Purpose

06/27/2026

America has always needed leaders willing to answer a higher call. Public service is not diminished because it leads to higher office. In fact, some of our greatest statesmen and stateswomen began by faithfully serving their communities before taking on greater responsibility. Experience builds wisdom. Responsibility shapes judgment. Proven service earns trust.

The problem isn’t seeking higher office.

The problem is seeking office solely to get to the next one.

There is a profound difference between a public servant whose record naturally leads to greater responsibility and a political opportunist who views each office as nothing more than the next rung on a ladder. One is focused on serving people. The other is focused on serving ambition.

Statesmen and stateswomen ask, “What can I accomplish for those I represent?” Stone-steppers ask, “What office comes next?”

The difference shows. Statesmen build relationships, solve problems, make difficult decisions, and leave institutions stronger than they found them. They understand that leadership is measured by results, not headlines. They don’t campaign through every term they hold; they govern through it.

Political opportunists often chase visibility over substance, speeches over solutions, and titles over service. Their attention is fixed on the next campaign instead of the current responsibility. They collect offices but leave little lasting impact in the one they already hold.

As voters, we should look beyond polished advertisements and campaign slogans. Ask simple questions: Has this candidate demonstrated a heart for service? Have they stayed committed to the job they were elected to do? Have they built a record of accomplishment before asking for something more? Do they leave every office better than they found it?

Our Founders entrusted this representative republic to citizens capable of discerning character as much as policy. They understood that institutions endure only when led by people whose ambition is tempered by duty.

As America approaches its next 250 years, the survival of our republic will depend not only on who wins elections, but on why they sought office in the first place.

Choose statesmen. Choose stateswomen. Choose servants over climbers. Our representative republic deserves nothing less.

06/24/2026

🇺🇸 : Florida teens can pre-register to vote at age 16 or 17?

Here’s an important deadline many families don’t know about:

If your child turns 18 between July 21 and August 18, they will not be eligible to vote in the August 18 Primary Election unless they are pre-registered by July 20.

Pre-registration allows eligible teens to get into the system before their 18th birthday, ensuring they’re ready to participate when Election Day arrives.

✔️ Florida residents
✔️ U.S. citizens
✔️ Ages 16 or 17

Parents, grandparents, and mentors: now is a great time to help the next generation take their first step toward civic engagement.

Today’s teen. Tomorrow’s voter.

✨ Purposeful Citizenship
United by Patriotism • Guided by Grace • Driven by Purpose

06/22/2026

🇺🇸 : Florida has a closed primary system?

In Florida, voters must be registered with a political party to vote in that party’s primary election, unless an exception applies.

Understanding how our elections work is an important part of being an informed and engaged citizen. Before every election, take a few minutes to verify your registration status, review the candidates, and make a plan to vote.

An informed electorate strengthens our republic.

✨ Purposeful Citizenship
United by Patriotism • Guided by Grace • Driven by Purpose

06/20/2026

🇺🇸 Florida Republican Primary Election: Important Dates to Know 🇺🇸

An informed voter is a prepared voter.

As part of our Purposeful Citizenship initiative, we’re sharing key dates for Florida’s 2026 Republican Primary Election so you can make a plan and participate.

📬 July 4 – Deadline to send vote-by-mail ballots to UOCAVA voters

📬 July 9–16 – Deadline to send vote-by-mail ballots to domestic voters

🗳️ July 20 – Deadline to register to vote or change party affiliation

📮 August 6 – Deadline to request a vote-by-mail ballot

✅ August 8–15 – Statewide Early Voting Period

🇺🇸 August 18 – Primary Election Day

Now is the time to:
✔️ Verify your registration
✔️ Learn about the candidates and issues
✔️ Make a voting plan

Self-government depends on informed and engaged citizens.

✨ Purposeful Citizenship
United by Patriotism • Guided by Grace • Driven by Purpose

05/30/2026

🚐📍 Next stop: Suwannee County.

Team Moody Mobile Office Hours is headed to Live Oak, bringing constituent service closer to home.

Need help with a federal agency? Stuck in a paperwork maze? Getting more letters than answers? Our team is here to help.

Join us at the Suwannee County Chamber of Commerce and sit down with Senator Moody’s staff to discuss issues involving federal agencies, benefits, passports, immigration casework, and more.

And because this is Suwannee County, don’t be surprised if the conversation starts with government and ends with football, farming, or fishing. 😄

📍 Suwannee County Chamber of Commerce
🗓️ June 4
⏰ 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM

Come see us.

Same service. Different zip code. 🚐

05/30/2026

100 looks good on you City of Atlantic Beach! 🥰

🎉🌺 Save the Date – Centennial Celebration! 🌺🎉

Join us as we celebrate 100 years of the City of Atlantic Beach and America’s 250th birthday! ✨

📅 Saturday, July 11
📍 Beaches Veterans Memorial Park
🕛 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.

Get ready for a day of celebration featuring:
🎶 Live music
🍔 Food
🎉 Family-friendly activities
🌺 A fun luau show you won’t want to miss!

More details coming soon—mark your calendars and celebrate with us! 🌴☀️

04/03/2026

Vote for K9 R***r! 🐾 💙

K9 R***r says ‘Happy Friday’!

Thanks to your votes, K9 R***r has advanced to the Elite 8 Round of the Florida Sheriff’s Association’s Top Dog Contest.

To move on to the Final 4, K9 R***r needs your votes to beat K9 Goose from Highlands County. Head to tinyurl.com/VoteR***r and cast your votes in each matchup. You have until tomorrow (Saturday) at 7 p.m. to get your votes in!