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Ready or not, election season in the US starts soon. The first ballots will go out in just two weeks

It might feel like the presidential election is still a long way off. It’s not.

There are just over 70 days until Election Day on Nov. 5, but major dates, events and political developments will make it fly by. Think about it this way: The stretch between now and then is about as long as summer break from school in most parts of the country.

In just two weeks, Sept. 6, the first mail ballots get sent to voters. The first presidential debate is set for Sept. 10. Former President Donald Trump, the Republican nominee, is scheduled to be sentenced in his New York hush money case on Sept. 18. And early in-person voting will start as soon as Sept. 20 in some states.

Here’s a look at why the calendar will move quickly now that the Democratic and Republican conventions are wrapped.

Who’s ready to vote?

The first batch of ballots typically sent out are ones to military and overseas voters. Under federal law, that must happen at least 45 days before an election — which this year is Sept. 21.

Mike Waltz honored for service by National Guard Association of Florida

U.S. Rep. Michael Waltz was honored by the National Guard Association of Florida for his public service.

Waltz, a Republican representing Flagler and Volusia counties, was presented the MG Ronald O. Harrison Distinguished Service Award from the National Guard during a ceremony Friday. The award is named after Harrison, the Adjutant General of the Florida National Guard in 1992. He led the detail until 2001.

The award acknowledges individuals for exceptional outstanding service or contributions to the National Guard over an extended period. Waltz serves on the U.S. House Armed Services Committee and is Chair of the Subcommittee on Readiness.

Waltz said the award humbled him.

“I am deeply honored to receive the MG Ronald O. Harrison Distinguished Service Award and to be recognized by the National Guard Association of Florida. The work that the National Guard Association of Florida does to fight for its members is invaluable, and I am thankful to have played a part in supporting those who serve our great state and country,” Waltz said. “Having served 22 years in the National Guard and five years in the U.S. Army, I am immensely proud to continue advocating for those who wear the uniform and protect our freedoms.”

Marco Rubio, Rick Scott lead elected official slam of Dickinson Park golfing plan

Federal, state and local elected officials banded together to stop a controversial plan to develop multiple golf courses at Jonathan Dickinson State Park.

U.S. Sens. Marco Rubio and Rick Scott and U.S. Rep. Brian Mast, all Republicans, led a letter to Gov. Ron DeSantis and other state leaders with authority over the plan.

The document specifically takes issue with the proposal to redevelop large parts of Jonathan Dickinson Park in Stuart with multiple golf courses. It calls the proposal “ridiculous” and the process for approving it “deeply flawed.”

“The communities around Jonathan Dickinson State Park are owed a public comment meeting in good faith with members of the Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s Acquisition and Restoration Council (ARC). It is the ARC that will actually vote on whether golf courses and hotels will be built in our park, and the public deserves the ability to make their voice heard,” the letter reads.

Florida Rep. Spencer Roach discusses his support for partisan school board elections

In November, voters in Florida will decide whether school board races should be partisan. Republican State Rep. Spencer Roach sponsored the legislation that put Amendment 1 on the ballot.

Roach discussed the measure with Tom Hudson on The Florida Roundup.

He argued school board races should be partisan, which was the case in Florida before voters in 1998 said otherwise.

“So what I'm advocating for is really a return to Florida's historical method of electing these school board members,” Roach said, calling the move to nonpartisan races “an aberration and an anomaly.”

He said the goal of the ballot measure is to increase transparency when it comes to school board candidates. He also believes it will increase voter participation by giving more people a voice in the general election.