May 20, 2024 (Orlando) – The city will have an interim commissioner for District 5 this week or voters will go back to the polls for a run-off election if none of the seven candidates receive the majority of the votes during Tuesday’s Special Election. The Orlando Commission District 5 seat was left vacant in April when Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis suspended Commissioner Regina Hill after her arrest on charges of exploiting the elderly and fraud.

Now it’s up to the reported 21,267 eligible voters to decide who will represent them in the district, which includes many neighborhoods in the Lake Eola, Holden/Parramore, Callahan, MetroWest and Mercy Drive areas.

The seven candidates are: Ericka Dunlap (a former Miss America), TiaKeysha Ellison (business and financial coach), Lawanna Gelzer (community activist), Cameron Hope (businessman), Travaris McCurdy (a former Florida representative), Miles Mulrain Jr. (community actist) and Shaniqua “Shan” Rose (executive director of the redevelopment association in Eatonville).

The clear winner of the election on Tuesday will begin serving when elected until the criminal case again Hill is resolved or when the current term ends (in 2025), according to election officials.

Hopefully, voters have had a chance to meet with or speak with the candidates, either out in the community in the past or recently at some of the candidate forums and debates.

Voting hours for the District 5 Special Election on Tuesday, Nov. 21 are: 7 a.m. – 7 p.m.

There are five city precincts so voters should check their Sample Ballots to make sure they go to the right precinct to cast their vote. (City precincts are different from county precincts, according to the Orange County Supervisor of Elections Office.)

Here are the five city precinct locations: Rock Lake Community Center, John H. Jackson Community Center, Fire Station 12; Northwest Community Center and Majestic Life Ministries.

For more information, contact the City Clerk’s office: (407) 246-2251 or click on this elections office webpage: https://www.ocfelections.gov/2024orlandoelection