Here’s what you’ll see on the ballot in Lake County for the Nov. 5 election

LAKE COUNTY, Fla. – Uncertain about what you’re walking into when hitting the polls? Here is everything you need to know to vote in the upcoming Nov. 5 election in Lake County.

[RESULTS 2024: Complete Coverage | How to vote in the Nov. 5 presidential election]

When, where and how to vote

Early voting: Monday, Oct. 21 through Saturday, Nov. 2. from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Find your early voting place HERE.

Voting by mail: Vote-by-mail ballots must be requested by 5 p.m. on Oct. 24. Ballots can be dropped off at early voting sites before Nov. 5. or at the county elections office if you do not want to mail it in. Ballots must be received by the Lake County Supervisor of Elections office by 7 p.m. on Nov. 5. Request a vote-by-mail ballot HERE.

On Election Day: Polling will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Nov. 5. You must vote at your assigned precinct on Election Day. Find your election day polling place HERE.

What’s on the ballot

Here are the races and amendments you will see on the ballot if you are voting in Lake County. View a list of Lake County candidates HERE.

NOTE: Everything listed here will be on ballots in Lake County, but U.S. House, Florida House and Senate and local races may be different depending on where you live.

U.S. President

• Shiva Ayyadurai (Write-in): Website

U.S. Senate

• Rick Scott (incumbent) (REP): Website

• Debbie Mucarsel-Powell (DEM): Website

U.S. House

CONGRESS DISTRICT 7

• Cory Lee Mills (incumbent) (REP): Website

Judge Retention Y/N?

SUPREME COURT

FIFTH DISTRICT COURT OF APPEAL

Florida Constitutional Amendments

Vote yes for approval. Vote no for rejection.

• AMENDMENT 1: Partisan Election of Members of District School Boards (Article IX, Section 4 and Article XII)

  • Proposing amendments to the State Constitution to require members of a district school board to be elected in a partisan election rather than a nonpartisan election and to specify that the amendment only applies to elections held on or after the November 2026 general election. However, partisan primary elections may occur before the 2026 general election for purposes of nominating political party candidates to that office for placement on the 2026 general election ballot.

• AMENDMENT 2: Right to Fish and Hunt (Article I, Section 28)

  • Proposing an amendment to the State Constitution to preserve forever fishing and hunting, including by the use of traditional methods, as a public right and preferred means of responsibly managing and controlling fish and wildlife. Specifies that the amendment does not limit the authority granted to the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission under Section 9 of Article IV of the State Constitution.

• AMENDMENT 3: Adult Personal Use of Marijuana (Article X, Section 29)

  • Allows adults 21 years or older to possess, purchase, or use marijuana products and marijuana accessories for non-medical personal consumption by smoking, ingestion, or otherwise; allows Medical Marijuana Treatment Centers, and other state licensed entities, to acquire, cultivate, process, manufacture, sell, and distribute such products and accessories. Applies to Florida law; does not change, or immunize violations of, federal law. Establishes possession limits for personal use. Allows consistent legislation. Defines terms. Provides effective date.

  • The amendment’s financial impact primarily comes from expected sales tax collections. If legal today, sales of nonmedical marijuana would be subject to sales tax and would remain so if voters approve this amendment. Based on other states’ experiences, expected retail sales of non-medical marijuana would generate at least $195.6 million annually in state and local sales tax revenues once the retail market is fully operational, although the timing of this occurring is unclear. Under current law, the existing statutory framework for medical marijuana is repealed six months after the effective date of this amendment which affects how this amendment will be implemented. A new regulatory structure for both medical and nonmedical use of marijuana will be needed. Its design cannot be fully known until the legislature acts; however, regulatory costs will probably be offset by regulatory fees. Other potential costs and savings cannot be predicted.

• AMENDMENT 4: Amendment to Limit Government Interference with Abortion (Article 1, New Section)

  • No law shall prohibit, penalize, delay, or restrict abortion before viability or when necessary to protect the patient’s health, as determined by the patient’s healthcare provider. This amendment does not change the Legislature’s constitutional authority to require notification to a parent or guardian before a minor has an abortion.

  • The proposed amendment would result in significantly more abortions and fewer live births per year in Florida. The increase in abortions could be even greater if the amendment invalidates laws requiring parental consent before minors undergo abortions and those ensuring only licensed physicians perform abortions. There is also uncertainty about whether the amendment will require the state to subsidize abortions with public funds. Litigation to resolve those and other uncertainties will result in additional costs to the state government and state courts that will negatively impact the state budget. An increase in abortions may negatively affect the growth of state and local revenues over time. Because the fiscal impact of increased abortions on state and local revenues and costs cannot be estimated with precision, the total impact of the proposed amendment is indeterminate.

• AMENDMENT 5: Annual Adjustments to the Value of Certain Homestead Exemptions (Article VII, Section 6 and Article XII)

  • Proposing an amendment to the State Constitution to require an annual adjustment for inflation to the value of current or future homestead exemptions that apply solely to levies other than school district levies and for which every person who has legal or equitable title to real estate and maintains thereon the permanent residence of the owner, or another person legally or naturally dependent upon the owner is eligible. This amendment takes effect January 1, 2025.

• AMENDMENT 6: Repeal of Public Campaign Financing Requirement (Article VI, Section 7)

  • Proposing the repeal of the provision in the State Constitution which requires public financing for campaigns of candidates for elective statewide office who agree to campaign spending limits.

County Races

SUPERVISOR OF ELECTIONS

• Alan Hays (REP) (Incumbent): Website

PROPERTY APPRAISER

• Mark Jordan (REP): No website found

COUNTY REFERENDUM

• Clean water protection, over development prevention, natural area preservation, parks and trails general obligation bond referendum: To aquire and improve land to protect drinking water sources; preserve natural areas; protect open space from overdevelopment; provide parks and trails; improve the water quality of rivers and lakes; protect springs; and establish a citizen oversight committee with full public disclosure of spending, shall Lake County be authorized to issue unlimited general obligation bonds maturing within 20 years, not exceeding the legal maximum interest rate, not exceeding $50,000,000 payable from ad valorem taxes?

Arlington Ridge

CDD BOARD OF SUPERVISORS SEAT 1

• George Elder Jr.: No website found

• Jerry Gianoutsos: No website found

CCD BOARD OF SUPERVISORS SEAT 3

• Steve Avallone: No website found

• Walter Kolodziey: No website found

• Ronald Worrich: No website found

Astatula

MAYOR SEAT 5

• Mitchell Mack: No website found

COUNCIL MEMBER SEATS 3 AND 4

• Miriam Gomes: No website found

• Kay MacQueen: No website found

• Ryan Wilbur: No website found

Clermont

CITY COUNCIL SEAT 1

CITY COUNCIL SEAT 3

CITY COUNCIL SEAT 5

Eustis

COMMISSIONER SEAT 4

• Nicie Allen Parks: No website found

• John Potts: No website found

COMMISSIONER SEAT 5

• Blake Griswold Sr.: No website found

Groveland

CITY COUNCIL MEMBER DISTRICT 1 MAYOR

CITY COUNCIL MEMBER DISTRICT 5

Howey-in-the-Hills

TOWN COUNCILOR

Leesburg

SEAT 3 DISTRICT 3

Minneola

COUNCIL MEMBER SEAT 2

CITY REFERENDUMS

Vote yes for approval. Vote no for rejection.

• Qualifications for office: Currently, there is no minimum residency requirement to qualify as a candidate for city council. The proposed amendment provides that council members shall be residents of the City of Minneola for at least one ( 1) year immediately prior to qualifying to run for city council. Shall the above-described amendment be adopted?

• Voting Districts: Currently, the Council consists of four Council members and the Mayor, all elected at-large and without district residency requirements. The proposed amendments provide that the four Council members must reside within and represent a specific district but remain elected by all of the City’s voters at-large and provide procedures and guidelines for districts and redistricting. Shall the above-described amendment be adopted?

Montverde

TOWN COUNCIL

• Thomas Johnson: No website found

• Joe Morganelli: No website found

• Carol Womack: No website found

Mount Dora

MAYOR AT-LARGE

CITY REFERENDUMS

Vote yes for approval. Vote no for rejection.

• Creating a Preamble to the Charter of the City of Mount Dora: Amending the charter by creating a preamble, stating the values, goals and purposes of the charter and acknowledging that Mount Dora is “Someplace Special.” This charter amendment does not create any new rights, duties, obligations, or prohibitions.

• Removing the Prohibition on Voting in Absentia: Amending the charter by removing the prohibition on city council members voting in absentia. This amendment will cause the determination of whether a member of the city council can participate and vote while not physically present will be determined by the general law of the State of Florida.

• Amending the Month for Establishing the Charter Review Committee: Amending Section 9, to establish the charter review committee in February instead of April, and to amend the year from which the establishment of the committee begins.

• Amending the Month for Establishing the Charter Review Committee: Amending Section 9, to establish the charter review committee in February instead of April, and to amend the year from which the establishment of the committee begins.

• Correcting the Charter to Reflect General Elections are Held Biannually: Amending Section 11 to correctly reflect general elections are held biannually.

• Increasing the Term Limits to Twelve Consecutive Years and Adding Subheadings: Amending Section 12 to increase the term limits to twelve (12) consecutive years, adding subheadings, and bringing language up to date.

• Replacing and Reorganizing Charter Language Regarding Council Vacancies and Scheduling Special Elections: Amending Section 17 to clarify requirements filling council vacancies and holding special elections, reorganizing section with subheadings.

Tavares

CITY COUNCIL SEAT 1

• Nick Hendrick: No website found

Fruitland Park

CITY REFERENDUMS

Vote yes for approval. Vote no for rejection.

• Removal of city attorney and any assistant city attorney by majority vote of City Commission: Should the Charter of Fruitland Park be amended to make clear that the city attorney and any assistant city attorney serves at the pleasure of the City Commission, may be terminated by a majority vote of the Commission at any time and without a public hearing?

• Hiring of City Treasurer and City Clerk: Should the Charter of Fruitland Park be amended to provide for the city manager to hire a city treasurer and a city clerk to serve under the direction and authority of the city manager?

• Move language establishing the planning and zoning board from the charter to the city code: Should the Charter of Fruitland Park be amended to remove those provisions establishing the planning and zoning board and the number of board members, setting terms for board members, providing for duties and other provisions relating to the planning and zoning board and instead include provisions in the City Code?

• Adoption of standard code of technical regulations by resolution and providing for inspection and copying: Should the Charter of Fruitland Park be amended to provide that the city commission will adopt standard code of technical regulations by the public in accordance with The Florida Public Records Act and City regulations?

Lady Lake

CITY REFERENDUM

Vote yes for approval. Vote no for rejection.

• Election and terms: Elections shall be held only in even-numbered years. Commissioners from wards two and four elected in 2024 shall be elected to four-year terms. Commissioners from wards one, three and five elected in 2023 for two-year terms shall have their current terms extended by one year to end in 2026 for one election cycle. Thereafter, they shall be elected to four-year terms. Shall the above-described amendment be adopted?

• Mayor/commissioner; term of office: Proposal to amend the mayor/commissioner and vice-mayor/commissioner terms of office from one (1) year to two (2) years. The selection shall occur at the first meeting following even-year elections. Shall the above-described amendment be adopted?

• Transitional Provisions: Proposal to amend by removing the entire section related to initial Charter elections which occurred in 1987. Shall the above-described amendment be adopted:

Mascotte

CITY REFERENDUM

Vote yes for approval. Vote no for rejection.

• Term of office: Currently, the City Charter provides for annual City Council elections and staggered two-year terms of office. The proposed amendment increases the term from two years to four years and provides staggered four-year terms of office. If approved, Council seats 1, 3, and 5 shall be filled for a four-year term starting November 2025 and seat and 4 shall be filled for a four-year term starting November 2026. Shall the above-described amendment be adopted?

Umatilla

CITY REFERENDUM

Vote yes for approval. Vote no for rejection.

• Voting Districts: City Council is currently comprised of five (5) at-large repreasentatives. The proposed amendments provide that City Council shall be comprised of three (3) district representatives for seats one (1), two (2), and three (3) who reside within and will represent a district and two (2) at-large representatives for seats four (4) and five (5), all of whom will be elected by the City’s voters at-large. Shall the above-described amendments be adopted?

• Department of Records and Finance; Appointment of City Clerk: Under the current Charter, City Clerk is designated as Director of Records and Finance, appointed by City Council, and required to have knowledge of accounting, taxation, budgeting and financial controls. This responsibility was required before establishing the positions of City Manager and Director Finance and Administration. The proposed amendment to Article X Section 1 authorizes the City Manager to appoint the City Clerk and reallocate duties and qualifications accordingly. Shall the above-described amendment be adopted?

• Removal: The City Manager is the City’s chief administrator and operates under direction of the City Council. Per the Charter, the City Council must adopt preliminary and final resolutions, hold public hearings, and offer a public hearing on the matters regarding removal of the City Clerk. The proposed amendment to Article X Section 2 removes these requirements and places the administrative responsibility for the City Clerk to the City Manager. Shall the above-described amendment be adopted?

• Officers: Under the current Charter, the officers of the City shall be a Mayor, a City Manager, City Clerk, a Chief of Police, a Fire Chief, and five (5) Council Members. The proposed amendment would eliminate the Mayor, City Clerk, Chief of Police, and Fire Chief as officers of the City. If approved, the officers of the City will be the five (5) Council Members, and the City Manager. Should the above-described amendment be adopted?

• Meetings: Under the current Charter, if a regularly scheduled council meeting falls on an election day or a holiday, then the meeting shall be held on Tuesday following such election day or holiday. The proposed amendment would allow the City Council to reschedule at their discretion and require it to be duly noted and properly advertised. Should the above-described amendment be adopted?

• Declaring Candidacy: Under the current Charter, candidates for city election shall declare their candidacy to the City Clerk, in writing, upon a form provided by the City Clerk, not less than thirty (30) days prior to the day of the election. The proposed amendment to Article VI Section 5 would remove the requirement and make candidacy requirements consistent with the rules and dates of the Florida Statutes.

• Elections: Under the current Charter, there is conflicting language regarding when officers or council members shall be inducted into office. The proposed amendment to Article Ill Section 2 would eliminate language regarding past elections and amend when officers or council members, elected thereto, shall be inducted into office. The terms of office shall begin on the first Tuesday immediately following election certification in November. Should the above-described amendment be adopted?

• Membership: Under the current Charter, Council members are limited to a maximum number of twelve years of consecutive service or three terms, whichever occurs first. The proposed amendment to Article Ill Section 1 allows former Council members who have served twelve consecutive years, not including years appointed, to regain office four (4) years after the expiration of the last term served. Should the above-described amendment be adopted?

• Vacancies: Under the current Charter, Council shall appoint vacancies until the next regular Municipal election; provided that if such vacancy is not filled within thirty (30) days after it shall have occurred, it shall be filled by appointment of the Governor. The proposed amendment to Article Ill Section 8 would allow Council to appoint vacancies for the remaining portion of that term and allow candidates for appointment to be at-large. Should the above-described amendment be adopted?

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