Apopka-area voters head to the polls today to help choose county leaders and representatives in Tallahassee and Washington. Amendment 3 also puts property taxes and local government finances before voters, and The Apopka Voice will follow key races and report results after polls close.

Orange County voters had cast 324,443 early and mail ballots as of late Monday morning, including 19,542 early in-person ballots at two Apopka-area locations. Registered Democrats accounted for the largest share countywide, but participation by party registration does not reveal which candidates voters supported.

A coalition of 20 Florida organizations is opposing Amendment 3, warning that its proposed property tax changes could weaken funding for conservation, flood protection and community services. The groups say voters should weigh the potential effects on local budgets alongside the promise of tax relief.

The road to Nov. 3 runs through debates over housing costs, traffic, health care, and government accountability. This voter guide examines five races affecting Apopka-area residents and reintroduces the candidates, their priorities, and the choices awaiting voters.

The Seminole County Chamber’s board voted unanimously to oppose Amendment 3 after reviewing its potential local impact. Chamber leaders said the proposal could strain public services and create uncertainty for small businesses and nonprofits.

Orange County Commission District 2 candidates Kamia Brown and Mike Crabb agreed that infrastructure, traffic, water quality, and public safety are among the district’s most pressing concerns. Their debate revealed sharper differences over growth, government spending, economic development, and how broadly county government should respond to community needs.

Apopka Involved Voters will host forums on Sept. 21 and 22 for candidates in the Orange County mayoral and District 2 commission runoffs. Both events will begin at 7 pm at Victory Church and will be open to an in-person audience, with a livestream.

Sierra Club Florida has announced its opposition to Amendment 3, arguing that the proposed property tax changes could undermine local storm preparations and other public services. If approved by at least 60% of voters, the measure would significantly increase the homestead exemption for non-school property taxes.

Tiffany Moore-Russell and Chris Messina advanced to the Orange County mayoral runoff, while Kamia Brown and Mike Crabb moved forward in County Commission District 2. Doug Bankson won decisively in Florida House District 39, and Roberta Walton-Johnson, Joe Strada and James Pericola captured their respective party nominations.

Polls are open from 7 am to 7 pm Tuesday as Orange County voters cast ballots in Florida’s 2026 primary election. Featured races include Orange County mayor and Commission District 2, as well as contests for clerk of courts, U.S. House District 11 and Florida House District 39.

Orange County mayoral candidate Mayra Uribe believes that voters should judge candidates by their public records, not only their campaign promises. She points to eight years on the County Commission as evidence of her positions on housing, transportation, taxes, public safety, and accountability.

Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier has submitted rewritten ballot language for Amendment 3 after a Leon County judge rejected the original title as resembling a political slogan. The revised language details proposed increases to the homestead exemption, a lower assessment-growth cap for non-homestead property and new restrictions on local property tax revenue.

Florida’s gubernatorial candidates are staking out sharply different positions on large artificial intelligence data centers as communities raise concerns about water use, energy demand, noise and development.

More than 61,000 Orange County voters have cast ballots in Florida’s 2026 primary, including 1,706 early votes recorded at the Apopka Community Center. Democrats lead the countywide count, but the party margin at the Apopka voting site is substantially narrower.

Farmworker Association of Florida organizer contends Orange County’s decision to replace mailed paper sample ballots with a QR-code mailing for the primary election could disenfranchise thousands of voters.

Former Apopka Vice Mayor Kyle Becker has endorsed Terrell Thomas for Orange County clerk of courts. Becker cited Thomas' plans to modernize court services, expand online access, and improve the clerk's office's efficiency and accessibility.

Gov. Ron DeSantis appointed Orange County Sheriff’s Office Lt. Mike Crabb to the District 2 seat on the Orange County Commission. Crabb will serve the remainder of Christine Moore’s term while campaigning against four opponents for a full four-year term.

Orange County Clerk of Courts candidate Terrell Thomas says his campaign is rooted in legacy, leadership and a vision he calls "Clerk Forward." Drawing on 20 years with the Clerk's Office and private-sector experience developing court technology, Thomas outlines plans to improve customer service, expand community access and strengthen workplace culture.

Orange County Commissioner Mayra Uribe says she is running for mayor because the county needs a leader willing to challenge the status quo rather than simply manage it. In an interview with The Apopka Voice, she discussed her plans to streamline government, tackle housing affordability, and improve transportation.