Orange County – All over the nation, elections are being held Tuesday, Nov. 4. Some states are voting for governors, while others are voting in special elections because of redistricting or vacant seats in Congress.
Here in Orange County, registered voters who live within the City of Orlando, will select from a long list of candidates in Districts 1,3 and 5, to represent them in the city. Polls will be open from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m. Registered voters who are eligible to vote in the election can go to the Orange County Supervisor of Elections website to find their polling place. There is also a link on the City of Orlando’s website to find polling places.
The City of Orlando Council is made up of a mayor, elected at-large (among all registered voters in the entire city), and six commissioners who are elected from specific districts. They are elected for four-year terms.
This election comes at a time when local and state elected officials are having to address issues pushed by the Trump administration such as immigration and a federal government shutdown. Also, Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer has said publicly that he does not plan to run for re-election in 2027.
Good to see so many people wanting to get involved with local government. Once again, with everything going on in our nation, leadership and character matter. Voters: do your research on the candidates before making a decision about who you want to represent you on the city council.
For District 1, long-time incumbent Commissioner Jim Gray has three competitors: Manny Acosta, Sunshine Linda-Marie Grund and Tom Keen.
In District 3, five people have thrown their names in the hat, and their names are on the ballot, hoping to fill the seat being vacated by Robert Stuart who announced earlier this year that he plans to retire from the city council. The candidates are Samuel Chambers, Roger Chapin, Chris Durant, Kimberly Kiss and Mira Tanna.
While District 5’s contest has the fewest contenders, it seems to be the most contentious, based on negative videos and posts on social media among the candidates and local news reports. Commissioner Regina I. Hill is running to get her seat back, while being suspended and fighting charges in an elderly abuse case. She maintains that she is innocent, according to reports. Hill has two competitors: Shaniqua “Shan” Rose, who was elected as interim commissioner for the district last year in a special election and Lawanna Gelzer, long-time community advocate.
There will be a run-off election if need be on Dec. 9.
Voters can contact the city clerk’s office or county elections office if they have any questions or concerns:
https://www.orlando.gov/Our-Government/Records-and-Documents/Election-Information
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