Voting rules explained (yes, you can vote if you live in Charlotte County), three vacancies on board to be filled

The Gasparilla Island Bridge and Toll Authority currently has three elected voting board positions open in the November 6 general election.

Each elected GIBA board position is a four-year term with no compensation. All five publicly-elected GIBA “voting” members have the full power to vote and conduct the annual business of the GIBA Board via majority vote.

To qualify as a publically-elected voting board member, a candidate must live within the boundaries of the GIBA Special District (Cole Island and Gasprailla Island) and be a qualified Florida voter.  

Required State of Florida candidate election forms can be obtained on line at dos.state.fl.us or by calling GIBA Executive Director Jim Cooper, 697-2271, extension 2. You can also e-mail jimgiba@earthlink.net.

Interested candidates must submit all of the required official election forms to the Florida Dept. of State (FDOS) in Tallahassee from: Monday, June 4 12 p.m. to Friday, June 8.

To clarify, anyone who is a registered voter on Gasparilla or Cole Islands, whether in Lee or Charlotte Counties, can vote for or against the proposed ad valorem tax to fund the bridges that will be on the ballot in November.