ORLANDO — Orange County voters are casting ballots Tuesday in an election that could determine who leads county government, oversees public education and sits on local court benches.
Polling places are open from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m. today. Voters who did not cast ballots early must use their assigned Election Day precinct. Orange County’s Supervisor of Elections provides polling-place lookup, personalized voter information, turnout reports and election-night results through its Election Center. Orange County Supervisor of Elections
The ballot arrives under the heading “primary,” which alone can make the election sound preliminary. Many of the choices, though, are anything but.
Local offices wield authority over zoning, development, transportation, parks, public safety, schools and billions of dollars in taxpayer spending. County commissioners decide whether major developments advance.
The county mayor helps establish priorities for one of Florida’s largest local governments. School Board members oversee education policy and a multibillion-dollar school system.
Judges make decisions involving families, businesses, criminal defendants, property and individual liberty.
Those powers do not shrink simply because voter turnout is typically much lower than in presidential elections.
The countywide mayor contest is among the races to watch closely tonight. Depending on the final vote distribution, the race could either produce a winner or advance to a November runoff. Orange County voters will also help shape School Board leadership and judicial offices, while district-specific ballots contain additional local contests.
Statewide, Florida voters are simultaneously selecting party nominees for governor, U.S. Senate and congressional seats. Results will begin appearing after polls close.
The Advocate Angle
Tonight, we will report more than winners. We will report power.
What authority does the winner receive? Which neighborhoods provided the decisive votes? How many eligible residents participated? And what did the winning candidate promise to do with the office?
Election coverage should not end with: Candidate A defeats Candidate B.
The more useful story begins Wednesday: Now that Candidate A has power, what happens next?
- Kevin Seraaj
- Kevin Seraaj
- Kevin Seraaj
- Kevin Seraaj
