ORLANDO, Fla. — Florida voters will choose their next governor, decide a U.S. Senate special election and cast ballots in congressional, state and local races Tuesday, Nov. 3.
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Channel 9 will follow the major contests across Florida and Central Florida, including election results, reporting from the campaigns and links to coverage of individual races.
Among the closely watched local contests is the Orange County mayoral runoff between Tiffany Moore Russell and Chris Messina, who advanced from the August election.
Florida and Central Florida election results
Results will appear as they are reported. Early totals are preliminary and can change as additional ballots are counted.
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A candidate leading in the results has not necessarily won. Channel 9 will identify the source when reporting a race call, and election results remain unofficial until certified.
Florida governor: Byron Donalds and David Jolly
Republican Byron Donalds and Democrat David Jolly are seeking to succeed Gov. Ron DeSantis, who cannot seek a third consecutive term.
Donalds is a congressman from Southwest Florida. Jolly is a former Republican congressman running as a Democrat.
Donalds won the Republican nomination in August. His running mate is Bryan Avila, while Jolly’s running mate is Gwen Graham.
The general-election field also includes third-party and no-party-affiliation candidates.
Channel 9’s Shannon Butler will cover Donalds’ campaign, while Sabrina Maggiore will cover Jolly’s campaign.
U.S. Senate: Ashley Moody and Angie Nixon
Republican U.S. Sen. Ashley Moody and Democratic state Rep. Angie Nixon are competing in Florida’s Senate special election. No-party-affiliation candidate Neil Gillespie is also running.
Moody was appointed to the seat after Marco Rubio left the Senate. The election will determine who serves the remainder of the term, which expires in January 2029.
Channel 9’s Demie Johnson will cover Nixon’s campaign, while Ethan Stein will cover Moody’s campaign.
Orange County mayor: Tiffany Moore Russell and Chris Messina
Orange County Clerk of Courts Tiffany Moore Russell and businessman Chris Messina are competing in the runoff to succeed term-limited Mayor Jerry Demings.
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The two advanced from an August field that also included former U.S. Rep. Stephanie Murphy and Orange County Commissioner Mayra Uribe.
Channel 9’s Daralene Jones will cover Moore Russell’s campaign, while Dave Jordan will cover Messina’s campaign.
Florida attorney general
Republican Attorney General James Uthmeier faces Democrat Jose Javier Rodriguez in the race for Florida’s chief legal office.
Congressional, state and local races
Voters will also decide U.S. House races, Florida legislative contests and county and municipal elections across Central Florida.
How to watch Channel 9’s election coverage
WFTV will provide live, ongoing coverage of Election Day in Central Florida on Eyewitness News.
Return to this page throughout the election for results and reporting, then check back Wednesday for reaction and what comes next.
When do polls open and close?
Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 3. Voters in line by 7 p.m. will be allowed to vote.
On Election Day, voters must use their assigned polling place. Find Election Day voting information through the Florida Division of Elections.
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Because part of the Florida Panhandle is in the Central time zone, polls there close at 8 p.m. Eastern time.
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