Election Information / Información Electoral

ELECTION INFORMATION

Welcome to the City of Winter Haven Election Information Center. The information contained on this page is intended to familiarize City Commission candidates, campaign treasurers, and residents with upcoming election information.

Per the City of Winter Haven Charter, elections for City Commission occur in odd-numbered years on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November. (If a Run-Off election is needed, it would occur the first Tuesday in December.)

The City Clerk serves as the supervisor of elections for all City elections and is the official qualifying officer for candidates seeking elected office within the City of Winter Haven.

Qualifications to become a candidate:

• U.S. citizen & resident of Florida
• Registered voter in Florida (you must be at least 18) & a registered voter in Polk County
• Reside in the City limits of Winter Haven at the time of qualifying

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IMPORTANT 2023 ELECTION DATES:

Regular Election AND Special Election – Tuesday, November 7, 2023 (Polls open 7am-7pm)

COMING SOON! 2023 Regular Election – Public Notice – Notice of Election (ENGLISH)

COMING SOON! 2023 Regular Election – Public Notice – Notice of Election (SPANISH)

Run-Off Election (If needed) – Tuesday, December 5, 2023 (Polls open 7am-7pm)

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COMMISSION SEATS UP FOR ELECTION:

Seat No. 1  – Currently held by Commissioner Tracy Mercer

Seat No. 2 – Currently held by Mayor Pro Tem Nathaniel J. Birdsong, Jr.

Seat No. 3 – Currently held by Commissioner Brian Yates

Seat No. 5** – Was held by the late Commissioner James H. “J.P.” Powell (**Special Election for Seat No. 5 to fill the remaining unexpired term to 2025)

Seats are:

• At-large
• Non-partisan
• Terms are 4 years

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QUALIFYING:

Began Monday, September 18, 2023 at NOON

Ended Friday, September 22, 2023 at NOON

QUALIFYING FEES TO BE UPDATED FOR 2023 ELECTION: Coming Soon

Qualifying Fees for Last Election (2021 example): As of July 6, 2021, the qualifying fee for the November 2, 2021 Election is $50.00 + $127.93 (Qualifying fee and 1% of the position’s annual salary.)

COMING SOON! 2023 Election – Public Notice – Candidate Qualifying Reminder

QUALIFIED CANDIDATES TO BE PLACED ON THE BALLOT:

⇒ To be determined

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CANDIDATE PACKET:

2023 Municipal Candidate Packets will be available for this race soon. An electronic version will also available. For information, please contact the City Clerk’s Office.

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SAMPLE BALLOT WITH QUALIFIED CANDIDATES:

To be determined at a later date: 2023 Regular Election – Sample Ballot (ENGLISH & SPANISH)

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POLLING & PRECINCT INFORMATION:

Coming Soon! 2023 Election – Precinct & Polling Locations (ENGLISH)

Coming Soon! 2023 Election – Precinct & Polling Locations (SPANISH)

Last Election (2021) Information:

2021 Election – Precinct & Polling Locations (ENGLISH)

2021 Election – Precinct & Polling Locations (SPANISH)

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LOGIC AND ACCURACY TEST:

The L & A Test will be held on (Date and time to be determined) at the Polk County Supervisor of Elections Operations Center.  The Public is welcome to attend.

70 Florida Citrus Blvd.
Winter Haven, Florida 33880
Tel  (863)534-5888

(NOTE: This L & A public notice is published by the Supervisor of Elections under their “Public Notices” section here: https://www.polkelections.com/)

Canvassing Board Members (consists of Commissioners not running for candidacy):

1. Mayor Bradley T. Dantzler
2. Mayor Pro Tem Nathaniel J. Birdsong, Jr. (TBD)
3. Commissioner Brian Yates (TBD)
4. Commissioner Tracy Mercer (TBD)
5. Commissioner J.P. Powell

Canvassing Board Member present at L&A Test: To be determined

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CANVASSING BOARD MEETINGS:

• Date and time to be determined: 2023 Regular Election – Public Notice – Canvassing Board Meeting – Clerk to Give Report  (ENGLISH & SPANISH)
  • Canvassing Board Meeting for City Clerk to give a report on vote by mail ballots requested, issued, and returned and request permission of the Canvassing Board to start processing the ballots determined valid – (Date and time TBD) at Winter Haven City Hall – John Fuller Auditorium.
• Date and time to be determined: 2023 Regular Election – Public Notice – Canvass Vote By Mail & Provisional Ballots (ENGLISH & SPANISH)
  • Canvassing of Vote by Mail & Provisional Ballots – (Date and time to be determined) at the Polk County Supervisor of Elections Operations Center.
• Date and time to be determined: 2023 Election – Public Notice – Certify Election Results and Random Precinct Selection (ENGLISH & SPANISH)
  • Certify Election Results and Random Precinct Selection – (Date and time to be determined) at Winter Haven City Hall – John Fuller Auditorium.
• Date and time to be determined: 2023 Election – Public Notice – Post-Election Audit (ENGLISH & SPANISH)
  • Post-Election Audit – (Date and time to be determined) at the Polk County Supervisor of Elections Operations Center.

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LINKS TO HELPFUL INFORMATION:

• Specific City of Winter Haven Election Information (Not available at this time)
• Polk County Supervisor of Elections
• Florida Commission on Ethics
• Florida Division of Elections
• City of Winter Haven Code of Ordinances

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VOTER REGISTRATION:

To register to vote, make changes to your voter registration, obtain due dates, and other information, please contact the Polk County Supervisor of Elections at 863-534-5888 or www.polkelections.com. Printed applications are available at both Polk County Supervisor of Elections offices, City of Winter Haven City Hall, and at local post offices and libraries.

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PLEASE BE AWARE THAT IT IS NOT THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE THE CITY CLERK’S OFFICE TO INTERPRET FLORIDA STATUTES CONTAINED WITHIN FLORIDA LAW. FOR ANY INTERPRETATION OF THE LAW OR FOR A LEGAL OPINION, CONTACT THE FLORIDA DIVISION OF ELECTIONS AT (850) 245-6200.