Lake County gets ready for election season: A look at the local and statewide races
Editor's note: This story has been revised to note that mail ballots in the Nov. 8 election can be dropped off at any of the 12 early voting precincts between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. on the days when early voting is taking place, or at the main election office, at 1898 E. Burleigh Blvd., Tavares, between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m.
TAVARES — Lake County voters can begin casting their ballots on Oct. 24 for the Nov. 8 election.
There are 12 early voting sites, according to Supervisor of Elections Alan Hays. Voters can find the sites, as well as times, at lakevotes.gov/Voter-Information/Early-Voting. Early voting ends Nov. 5.
Voters actually can vote earlier than that – by mail – if they hurry. The deadline to request a mail ballot is 10 days before the election. For more information, voters can go to lakevotes.gov/Voter-Information/Vote-By-Mail.
Mail ballots in the Nov. 8 election can be dropped off at any of the 12 early voting precincts between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. on the days early voting is taking place, or at the main election office, at 1898 E. Burleigh Blvd., Tavares, between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Mail ballots must be received at the elections office by 7 p.m. Nov. 8.
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Statewide races of interest
The presidential election is not for two more years, but the mid-term ballot features a wide array of candidates, including the U.S. Senate race of incumbent Republican Marco Rubio versus Orlando Congresswoman Val Demmings. Dennis Misigoy, Steven B. Grant and Tuan TQ Nguyen are also on the ballot.
The biggest draw for voters, however, is the race for governor, featuring incumbent Republican Ron DeSantis versus former governor and congressman Charlie Crist, who is running as a Democrat.
“Generally, for a gubernatorial race, you can expect a 65 to 70 percent turnout,” Hays said.
In other state races, Democrat Aramis Ayala is challenging incumbent Republican Attorney General Ashley Moody. Ayala is the former state attorney in the Orlando area.
Democrat Adam Hattersley is challenging incumbent Republican Jimmy Patronis for chief financial officer.
Republican Wilton Simpson is running against Democrat Naomi Esther Blemur for Commissioner of Agriculture.
There are several local races on the local ballot
Local races include incumbent District 2 Republican County Commissioner Sean Parks against write-in candidates Richard Ault and Tommie R. Powers.
The District 2 School Board race has come down to two candidates that at one time featured seven candidates. Tyler Brandeburg faces off against Jim Miller in the nonpartisan race.
In the Lake Soil and Water Conservation District 1 race, Matthew Griffin is running against Carlos Lugo in the nonpartisan contest.
The State House 25 election features Republican Taylor Yarkosky versus nonparty candidate Banks Helfrich. In District 26, it’s Republican Keith Truenow versus Democrat Linda Kero.
The state Senate District 13 race features Republican Dennis Baxley against Democrat Stephanie L. Dukes.
Many Lake County cities have contested races
Cities have their own contested races.
In Leesburg, Constance Christian and Allyson Berry are competing for Seat 1, District 1, and Alan Reisman and Darel Craine are running for Seat 2, District 2.
In Clermont, Tim Murry and Danielle “Dani” Page are competing in the Seat 3 mayor’s race. Michael Gonzalez and Tod Howard are running for Seat 1 on the city council. The Seat 5 race features Chandra Myers and Michele Bernard Pines.
In Eustis, Bruce Johnson and Gary Ashcraft are competing for Seat 1 on the city commission.
The Tavares City Council election features two seats up for election. Bob Grenier and Lou Buigas are competing for Seat 1. Walter Price and James Sweezea face each other for Seat 3.
Groveland has three races. The District 1 mayor’s race features incumbent Evelyn Wilson, and Dwayne “Mike” Smith; District 3 has Barbara Gaines being opposed by Tim Loucks; and District 5 features Randolph Waite versus Dina Sweatt.
Mascotte also has elections for city council. Meghan A. DeSoto, Mandy Freeman and Christopher Meeks are running for Seat 2. Brenda Brasher and Jessica M. Bruno face each other for Seat 4.
Mount Dora has two candidates competing for City Council District 3: Dennis Patrick Dawson and Mark Slaby.
The city also has a referendum that would limit building heights to 35 feet in the Building Height Impact District and 25 feet within 100 feet of the high-water control level of Lake Dora.
There are several races on the general ballot
On the general ballot, voters are asked whether to retain the following judges on the 5th District Court of Appeal: Jay Cohen, James A. Edwards, Brian D. Lambert, Mary Nardella, Dan Traver, and Ann Wozniak.
Voters are also asked about the retention of Florida Supreme Court Justices Charles T. Canady, John D. Couriel, Jamie Grosshans, Jorge Labarga, and Ricky Polston.
State constitutional amendments include a proposal to abolish the Constitutional Revision Commission; adding a $50,000 homestead exemption to classroom teachers, first-responders and others; and continuing a three-quarter mill school safety tax.
This article originally appeared on Daily Commercial: Election 2022: Check the local, regional, state races for Lake County
