Orlando – If you live in the City of Orlando and you are registered to vote, you can vote early now through Sunday, Nov. 5. Hours: 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. Locations: Orange County Supervisor of Elections Office, 119 W. Kaley Street, Orlando, FL 32806. Alafaya Branch Library, 12000 E. Colonial Drive, Orlando, FL 32826 and Valencia College-Lake Nona Campus, 12350 Narcoossee Road, Orlando, FL 32832.

What’s at stake: Office of Mayor. Voters will decide who will represent them as mayor or chief executive, for the next four years. Three people are challenging long-time Mayor Buddy Dyer who said this (his sixth term) will be his last, according to reports. He has been Orlando’s mayor since 2003. His contenders are: Samuel B. Ings, former Orlando city commissioner and Orlando Police Department veteran, personal trainer and business owner Tony Vargas and past Florida Senate candidate Steve Dixon.

Commission District Four seat. Two people are challenging long-time City Commissioner Patty Sheehan for her district four seat, which includes neighborhoods in the heart of downtown Orlando and the Mall at Millenia. She was first elected to the city council in 2000. Her contenders are: business owner Katie Koch and conservative talk show host Randy Ross.

Commission District Six seat. One person is challenging City Commissioner Bakari F. Burns for his district six seat, which includes neighborhoods in the southwest portion of the city (International Drive, MetroWest, Washington Shores and Carver Shores, along with Richmond Heights, for example). Burns is seeking his second term. His contender is: businessman and community activist Rufus Hawkins.

The mayor’s seat is voted on “at large,” meaning, every registered voter who lives in the city limits can vote for mayor. There are six city commission seats which are elected to legislate issues from respective districts. If you don’t know what district you reside in, contact the City Clerk’s office at (407) 246-2251.

Election day is Tuesday, Nov. 7.

For more election information, contact the elections office. https://www.ocfelections.com/

Orlando Community News, 2023