Yes, the City of Orlando elections are over, just like other city elections throughout Central Florida. Now is not the time to forget about the other county-wide elections, for mayors, commissioners, school board members and judges (to name a few).

The next election is the Primary on Tuesday, August 26. It’s at the end of summer so if you plan to be on vacation or to be busy getting your child (or children) ready for school, you may want to get an absentee ballot, complete it and turn it in before the deadline. For the Primary Election (first round for candidates), the deadline for new registrations is July 28 and the deadline for absentee ballot requests is August 20 at 5 p.m.

Here in Orange County, there have been some major changes in who’s running and what the remaining candidates are saying.

The key is, you, the registered voter, get to check each candidate out by attending community events and researching their records online. You can meet them and ask questions.

If you have moved, save some time at the polls by changing your address with the Supervisor of Elections office before election day. Good idea because you can get a sample ballot mailed to your new place. That way, you can be prepared.

Stay connected here for more Election Connection updates. Also, you can find details on the candidates at the Supervisor of Elections office: http://www.ocfelections.com

In a May run-off election, Regina Hill was selected by voters as the new City of Orlando Commissioner, District 5, beating out Juan Lynum, son of retired incumbent Commissioner Daisy Lynum. Hill was sworn into office at City Hall on June 2.

Thought to be Orange County Mayor Teresa Jacobs’ most fierce competitor, Val Demings dropped out of the county mayoral race last month, saying it was not the right race for her, news reports said.

© Orlando Community News, 2014