Early voting for the Mayoral race will take place from October 28 to November 3, with election day scheduled for November 5.
If you need help finding your voter status or your local voting place, you can click HERE.
Voters can also vote by mail by sending in absentee ballots. If you’d like to take this option, you can pick up a ballot at the Orange County Supervisor of Elections Office at 119 W. Kaley Street [GMap] until Monday, November 4 at 5 p.m. The ballot must be returned by 7 p.m. on Election Day, Tuesday, November 5.
Early voting is being conducted at the Supervisor of Elections Office at the aforementioned address from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday, October 28 to Friday, November 1, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, November 2, and 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Sunday, November 3.
Polls will be open 7 a.m.-7 p.m. the day of the election on Tuesday, November 5.
MAYORAL CANDIDATES:
MAYOR BUDDY DYER
After 16 years of service, Mayor Dyer is Orlando’s longest-serving mayor and he’s hoping to stick around a bit longer.
Priorities:
- To extend SunRail to the airport.
- Addressing affordable housing issues.
- Addressing homelessness.
- Promoting sustainability.
- Attracting high-paying jobs.
ARETHA SIMONS
A retired Navy officer, Simons who launched her campaign in 2017 in order to get a headstart on her fundraising – which isn’t a surprise as Simons is a professional grant writer who has worked for groups like HUD, United Way, and the City of Orlando.
Priorities:
- Environmental issues and protecting sensitive areas from development.
- Affordable housing efforts.
- Improving transportation needs.
SAM INGS
A recent City Commissioner (he had to resign from his post in District 6 to run for mayor) and a retired Orlando Police Department commander
Priorities:
- Crime prevention and public safety.
- Affordable housing.
- Roads and infrastructure.
- A more inclusive/transparent city government.
CITY COUNCIL CANDIDATES:
DISTRICT 6 –
BAKARI BURNS
Burns grew up in Richmond Heights and lives in Catalina in District 6 and graduated from Jones High School with honors. He is the CEO of Health Care for the Homeless/Orange Blossom Family Health, which provides health care for those who are insured, underinsured, or uninsured.
Burns was part of founding the City’s Housing First program for the homeless.
Priorities:
- Safe neighborhoods.
- Public transportation.
- Neighborhood beautification.
- Affordable Housing.
- Services for youth and seniors.
DISTRICT 6 –
GARY SIPLIN
Siplin is a former state legislator who served in the Florida House and in the Senate most-known for his anti-pants-on-the-ground bill that forbade showing your underwear at school.
Siplin’s wife is Victoria Siplin, an Orange County Commissioner for County District 6 which has roughly the same boundaries as the City’s District 6.
Priorities:
- Affordable housing.
- Public safety.
- Business development.
- Transportation.
- Code enforcement.
- Infrastructure.
DISTRICT 6 –
LAWANNA GELZER
Gelzer is the president and CEO of a fiscal management consulting company that works with community-based agencies and is the co-owner of a childcare center in Parramore. Gelzer is also the president of National Action Network, a civil rights organization founded by Reverand Al Sharpton.
Gelzer is known for being a staunch supporter of accountability in city government as she attends as many City Council and public board meetings as humanly possible.
Priorities:
- Enhancing youth and senior programming.
- Expanding transportation and infrastructure.
- Fighting for livable wages.
- Improving public safety.
- Increasing affordable housing options.
ALREADY RE-ELECTED:
COMMISSIONER PATTY SHEEHAN
Commissioner Sheehan saw a last-minute challenger in Corey DeVogel for her District 4 seat on the last qualifying day for the election. DeVogel has since dropped out of the race, allowing Sheehan to retain her seat on City Council.
COMMISSIONER
TONY ORTIZ
Incumbent Tony Ortiz was unopposed in his bid so he was automatically elected as Commissioner of District 2.
