I AM EXTREMELY CONCERNED ABOUT ELECTION CONFUSION
I have become increasingly concerned by how much confusion there is about the upcoming City Council election.
I have had the same conversation in neighborhood after neighborhood, with residents who want to vote for City Council but are unsure about the date, the rules, or the ballots.
After talking with voters across our city, it is clear that this confusion is widespread, ongoing, and completely understandable given how many different elections are happening close together. Here is what you need to know:
WHEN IS THE CITY COUNCIL ELECTION?
The City of Palm Beach Gardens nonpartisan election for City Council takes place on Tuesday, March 10, 2026. This election is separate and distinct from all other elections being held this spring, and it has its own specific deadlines and voting rules.
THERE IS NO EARLY VOTING
One of the most common misunderstandings I hear is about early voting. There is no early voting for the March 10 City Council election. Voting is limited to Election Day itself or by vote-by-mail if you have received a ballot in advance.
THERE IS NO RUNOFF SECOND ELECTION
The candidate with the most votes on March 10 will win the race, period. There will not be a runoff election between two top voter-getters.
THE DEADLINE TO REGISTER IS FEBRUARY 9
To vote in this election, you must be registered by Monday, February 9, 2026. If you have recently moved, need to update your registration, or are unsure of your current status, I strongly encourage you to check now rather than wait.
CHECK IF YOU'RE REGISTERED TO VOTE IN PBC
YOU MUST NOW RENEW YOUR VOTE-BY-MAIL BALLOT REQUEST MORE OFTEN
A recent change in state law now requires you to request a vote-by-mail ballot more often in order to ensure you receive one. You can request a Vote-by-Mail ballot for a specific election or for all elections through the end of the calendar year of the next regularly scheduled general election. After which, you will need to make the request again.
CHECK IF YOU HAVE A CURRENT, VALID VOTE-BY-MAIL REQUEST ON FILE
DEADLINE TO REQUEST A VOTE-BY-MAIL BALLOT IS FEBRUARY 26
If you plan to vote by mail, the deadline to request a vote-by-mail ballot be sent to you is Thursday, February 26, 2026, by 5:00 p.m. Because Florida law now requires voters to renew their vote-by-mail requests every calendar year, many people who voted by mail in the past no longer have an active request on file unless they renewed it for 2026.
REQUEST VOTE-BY-MAIL BALLOT ONLINE
REQUEST VOTE-BY-MAIL BALLOT ON THE PHONE
REQUEST VOTE-BY-MAIL BALLOT BY EMAIL
WHEN IS VOTE-BY-MAIL BALLOT DUE?
If you vote by mail, it is essential to be aware of the return deadlines. Your completed ballot must be received by Tuesday, March 10, 2026, by 7:00 p.m. if returned to the main office of the Supervisor of Elections. If you return your ballot to a branch office or a secure ballot intake station, it must be received by 5:00 p.m. on Election Day. Waiting until the last minute can put your vote at risk, which is why planning ahead is so important.
WHAT IS THE OTHER MARCH ELECTION?
What is making this election especially confusing is that there is a separate special election on Tuesday, March 24, 2026, to fill the seat for State Representative District 87. The special District 87 election is completely separate from the City Council election, is on a different day, and has different rules. That election is not the City of Palm Beach Gardens City Council race. To add to the confusion, District 87 does not cover all of Palm Beach Gardens, meaning some residents will not be voting in that race at all. As a result, different voters in our city are receiving different information, which has led to even more uncertainty.
DO NOT MISS YOUR CHANCE TO VOTE FOR CITY COUNCIL ON MARCH 10
Because these elections are so close together, I want to be absolutely clear. The City Council election is on March 10. There is no early voting. The deadlines outlined above are the ones that apply. I do not want anyone to miss the opportunity to vote.
Local elections matter deeply, and your participation matters just as much. My priority is making sure every voice that wants to be heard on March 10 has the chance to be counted.
