October 29, 2021 (Orlando) – If you live in the city limits of Orlando and you are registered to vote, this should be a reminder: There are two days left of Early Voting at the Orange County Supervisor of Elections Office – Saturday and Sunday. Hours on Saturday: 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. and Sunday: 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. If you miss early voting, don’t miss the opportunity to vote at your polling place on Election Day – Tuesday, Nov. 2. Voters will elect city commissioners for districts 1,3 and 5.

If you have a completed mail in ballot, it’s too late to actually mail it so election officials advise voters to drop off their completed and properly signed ballots to the elections office, located at 119 West Kaley Street, Orlando, FL 32806.

One great aspect of our country’s democratic process is people are able to vote and another one is people are able to qualify and run for public office.

In the city, all three incumbents of the open commission seats have at least one challenger.

In District 1, including communities such as Lake Nona and Vista Lakes, two people are on the ballot with Commissioner Jim Gray, who was first elected to the commission June 1, 2012. In District 3, including communities such as Rosemont and College Park, two people are on the ballot with Commissioner Robert F. Stuart, an Orlando native who previously served as co-chair of the Mayor’s Working Committee on Homelessness and on the taskforce for Orange County’s Council on Aging. In District 5, including communities such as Parramore, MetroWest and Mercy Drive, one person is on the ballot with Commissioner Regina I. Hill, who was first elected to the commission in 2013.

The contenders are:

Sunshine L. Grund, who has lived in the Northlake Park community since 2013 and who says she is running a campaign without donations and Bill Moore, a lifelong resident and former Orlando Police Officer, for District 1.

Samuel Chambers, Orlando native and Florida State University graduate who has worked in a legislative office, and Nicolette Fariello Springer, who has worked as assistant director of a research center, for District 3.

Shaniqua “Shan” Rose, a former City of Orlando employee and current President of Change For The Community, Inc., for District 5.

Voters will choose who will represent them on the city commission. Local races for these public offices are just as important, if not more important as state and national races because the people who serve locally make key decisions about the everyday needs and wants of residents and business owners.

With changes to elections laws being voted on and enacted throughout the country (including in Florida), voters here will have to navigate carefully to make sure their vote is counted.

In Orange County, the election officials will do a vote by mail voter certificate signature comparison on ballots received for this election. That process started Oct. 5 and will continue each business day up until election day and run continuously until the first unofficial results are obtained, according to the election office’s website.

Polls are open on election day from 7 a.m. – 7 p.m.

If you have any questions or concerns about voting in the upcoming City of Orlando Election, contact the elections office. Phone: (407) 836-2070 or Visit online: http://www.ocfelections.com

Orlando Community News, 2021