ORLANDO, Fla. — Florida voters will choose a governor, decide a U.S. Senate race and weigh constitutional amendments in the Nov. 3 election, while Central Florida communities settle contests for Congress, county leadership and school boards.
Channel 9 will follow the major races on Eyewitness News, WFTV.com and the WFTV news app, with updates before Election Day and results as they become available.
This guide highlights selected races and ballot questions. Your ballot depends on where you live, so review your county’s sample ballot before voting.
Read Channel 9’s coverage of how the mayoral runoff took shape.
Governor and lieutenant governor
Republican Byron Donalds and Democrat David Jolly lead their parties’ tickets for governor. Donalds’ running mate is Bryan Avila; Jolly’s running mate is Gwen Graham.
Other candidates for governor include Libertarian Scott Eckhard Jewett and candidates running without party affiliation: Charles Burkett, Frank J. Russo, Moliere “Moe” Dimanche, Dean Ocean Abrams and Jeffrey Peter “Dr. Jeff” Datto. The ballot also includes a write-in option.
See the state’s complete list of candidates and running mates.
U.S. Senate and Florida Cabinet
Republican incumbent Ashley Moody faces Democrat Angie Nixon and Neil J. Gillespie, who is running without party affiliation, in the U.S. Senate special election.
Other statewide contests include:
- Attorney general: Republican incumbent James Uthmeier and Democrat Jose Javier Rodriguez.
- Chief financial officer: Republican incumbent Blaise Ingoglia and Democrat Annette Taddeo.
- Agriculture commissioner: Republican incumbent Wilton Simpson and Democrat Joey Mendoza Atkins, with a write-in option.
Review Florida’s official candidate list.
Congressional races across Central Florida
Several U.S. House contests will determine who represents Central Florida in Washington.
| District 6 | Republican Randy Fine, Democrat Eric Yonce and Libertarian Andrew Parrott, plus a write-in option |
| District 7 | Republican Ryan Elijah, Democrat Bale Dalton and Libertarian Christopher Dennison |
| District 8 | Republican Mike Haridopolos and Democrat Jennifer Jenkins |
| District 9 | Republican Dan Green and Democrat Darren Soto |
| District 11 | Republican Joe Strada, Democrat James Pericola and Libertarian Ralph Groves |
| District 15 | Republican Laurel Lee and Democrat Robert People, plus a write-in option |
Voters should check their sample ballot to confirm their congressional district and the contests they can vote in. Find federal and state candidates through the Florida Division of Elections.
Orange County mayoral runoff
Tiffany Moore Russell and Chris Messina face each other in the Orange County mayoral runoff after advancing from the August election.
Orange County voters will also decide commission races in districts 2, 4, 6, 7 and 8. Other contests include Roberta Walton Johnson and Terrell Thomas for clerk of courts, and Diana Moore and Susanne Peña for School Board District 3.
Review Orange County’s sample ballots. The county’s composite ballot lists all contests; individual voters will see only those applicable to their precinct.
Other local races to watch
Seminole County: Winter Springs voters will choose between Kevin McCann and Jesse Phillips for mayor. In Altamonte Springs, Michael “Mike” Brunscheen and Dominique Douglas are competing for mayor. Alena Chaban and Wayne Culver face each other for county judge, Group 6.
See Seminole County’s candidate list.
Volusia County: Nancy Miller and Mike Poniatowski are competing for the County Council’s at-large seat. Municipal contests include Maritza A. Vazquez and Jason M. Voelz for Deltona mayor, Phyllis Butlien and Lita Handy-Peters for DeBary mayor, and Fred E. Cleveland and Lisa Martin for New Smyrna Beach mayor.
Review Volusia County’s election information and ballot contests.
Brevard County: School Board District 2 candidates are Kyle Savage and Gene Trent. Tammy Dennis and Michele McCormack are competing in District 5.
Voters will also consider three countywide tax renewals: the half-cent sales tax for Indian River Lagoon restoration, a one-mill property tax supporting teacher and staff pay and other school purposes, and a half-cent sales surtax for school facilities, security and technology.
See Brevard’s candidates and read the referendum language.
For additional local contests, consult Osceola County’s elections office, Lake County’s election information or Florida’s county elections directory.
Three constitutional amendments
Florida voters will consider three proposed constitutional amendments. Each needs at least 60% approval to pass.
- Amendment 1 — Budget Stabilization Fund: Would increase the fund’s maximum size from 10% to 25% of general revenue collections, require annual transfers subject to exceptions and allow withdrawals for critical state needs.
- Amendment 2 — Agricultural property: Would exempt qualifying tangible personal property used for agriculture or agritourism on agricultural land from property taxes, beginning with the 2027 tax year.
- Amendment 3 — Property taxes: Would increase the homestead exemption for nonschool taxes to $150,000 in 2027 and $250,000 in 2028, with inflation adjustments afterward. It also would lower the annual assessment-increase cap for nonhomestead property from 10% to 5%, establish different eligibility timing for new Florida residents and change rules governing local property-tax spending.
Read the full amendment summaries and proposed language.
When and how to vote
Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 3. Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. local time. Anyone in line at 7 p.m. can vote. Election Day voters must use their assigned polling place.
Early voting schedules vary by county. Florida’s required early voting period is Oct. 24-31, and counties may offer additional days. Check your county’s locations and hours.
The deadline to request a ballot be mailed was 5 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 22. Domestic mail ballots must reach the elections office by 7 p.m. Election Day; a postmark does not satisfy that deadline.
Bring a current, valid photo ID with a signature. If the photo ID lacks a signature, bring another ID that includes one. Voters without proper identification can request a provisional ballot.
The registration deadline for this election was Oct. 5.
Find your county elections office for your sample ballot, polling location, early voting schedule and ballot tracking.
How to follow Channel 9’s election coverage
Channel 9 will cover the major statewide and Central Florida races on Eyewitness News, WFTV.com and the WFTV news app.
On election night, an Associated Press results widget on WFTV.com will display live vote totals as returns become available. Readers can follow races alongside Channel 9’s reporting and analysis.
Channel 9 will also host a debate between the Orange County mayoral candidates at the station. Check back for details on the debate and how to watch.
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