October 29, 2024 – So far, 286,200 people in Orange County have voted early, either by vote by mail ballot or at an early voting location; that’s the unofficial number, according to the Orange County Supervisor of Elections Office. With seven days left before General Election Day, that’s good news. Keep it going: Early voting saves time from waiting (standing) in lines on election day and secures your vote in case you have an emergency on election day. (See OCN’s previous posts on early voting locations and hours.)

In addition to one of the most remarkable United States presidential races in modern history, voters nationwide will decide who they want in Congress, state Legislature and local public offices. (Yes, voters nationwide could elect the first woman to serve as President of the United States.) Florida voters will also decide on major issues like limiting government interference with abortion and permitting adult recreational use of marijuana.

For those who have not voted: As promised, I am publishing my recommendations for KEY public offices, state amendments and county charter amendments. I can’t do them all because as you know, there are quite a few items on the ballot, comprised of four pages – two pages with items printed on the front and back. Remember to complete both sides of the pages when you vote!

The length of the ballot is not a complaint: As U.S. citizens, we all should consider it a right and privilege to be able to freely vote. Sometimes, I do think we make it hard for people to vote. Still, we know people in many other countries don’t have the freedom as we do to select people we want to represent us and to voice our desire on certain issues. Our voting rights (esp. women and Black Americans) were hard fought for! We are blessed! Our votes count and our voices matter! If this was not the case, we wouldn’t see states tussling in court lately with political groups trying to stop people from voting. Research that!

Anyway, I hope and pray each one of you are REGISTERED to vote and do VOTE WISELY on or before election day, Tuesday, Nov. 5. The recommendations below were derived from personal research and endorsements from local news outlets as well as organizations such as the League of Women Voters of Orange County. Two key points from me: A few ballot items could be decided by the governing body and we need Servant Leaders who work for the will of the people they represent, not necessarily for their political party. (And yes, they need to be able to work with others well to get things done.)

President and Vice President: Kamala Harris/Tim Walz

United States Senator: Debbie Mucarsel-Powell

Representative in Congress, District 10: Maxwell Alejandro Frost

State Attorney, 9th Judicial District: Monique Worrell

Supervisor of Election: Karen Castor Dentel

Retain Florida Supreme Court justices? NO to all

Circuit Judge, 9th Judicial District: Alicia L. Peyton

Orange County Charter Amendments:

Amendment 1: YES

Amendment 2: YES

Amendment 4: YES

Amendment 6: YES

Amendment 8: YES

Amendment 9: YES

Amendment 10: YES

School Sales Surtax Referendum: YES (Keep it in place.)

Florida Constitutional Amendments:

Amendment 1 (Partisan election of school board members): NO

Amendment 2 (Right to fish and hunt): NO

Amendment 3 (Adult recreational use of marijuana): YES

Amendment 4 (Limiting government interference with abortion): YES (Please research Florida’s recently

adopted abortion law to get a full understanding of the amendment.)

Amendment 5 (Annual adjustments to the Value of Certain Homestead Exemptions): NO

Amendment 6 (Repeal of Public Campaign Financing Requirement): NO

-Trish Marshall, Founder and Editor
Orlando Community News
orlandocommunitynews@gmail.com