Election
Election Day was Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026. Unofficial results from the Supervisor of Elections as of Nov. 5, 8:39 pm; the official count is due Nov. 13. The next election in Manatee County is the presidential preference primary on Tuesday, March 21, 2028.
Results
Every race and question on ballots in Palmetto, Parrish and Ellenton, with the Supervisor of Elections' unofficial count as of Nov. 5, 8:39 pm: Manatee County's votes (a district race counts only its district), and for the amendments the statewide result that decides them. Names are as printed on the ballot. Everyone in office now, including seats that aren't up this year, is on Who represents you.
Every Manatee County voter
U.S. Senator
Ashley Moody leads with 59.07%
- Ashley MoodyREPLeadsIncumbent107,664 · 59.07%
- Angie NixonDEM72,414 · 39.73%
- Neil J. GillespieNPA2,182 · 1.20%
U.S. Representative, District 16
Sydney Gruters leads with 56.44%
- Sydney GrutersREPLeads102,487 · 56.44%
- Kelly KirschnerDEM75,812 · 41.75%
- Mark DavisNPA3,272 · 1.80%
In this seat now: Vern Buchanan, not running
County Commissioner, District 6 (At-Large)
Tara Poulton leads with 58.06%
- Tara PoultonREPLeads104,000 · 58.06%
- Reggie BellamyDEM75,124 · 41.94%
In this seat now: Jason Bearden, not running
Mosquito Control District, Group 1
Scott Johnson leads with 43.25%
- Scott JohnsonLeads64,122 · 43.25%
- Charles “Rick” Richards45,168 · 30.46%
- Rodney O’Quinn38,982 · 26.29%
In this seat now: Ralph Garrison, not running
Also on every ballot: Governor and Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General, Chief Financial Officer, Commissioner of Agriculture, and whether to retain a Florida Supreme Court justice and four Second District Court of Appeal judges. The sample ballot lists every candidate.
FailedNo. 1 Constitutional Amendment: Budget Stabilization Fund
40.90% yes statewide; it needed 60% (unofficial)
- StatewideYes 3,170,557 · 40.90%; no 4,580,981 · 59.10%
- Manatee CountyYes 76,747 · 44.89%; no 94,219 · 55.11%
Proposing an amendment to the State Constitution to increase the amount of funds that may be retained in the budget stabilization fund from 10% to 25% of general revenue collections, require the legislature to transfer the lesser of $750 million or the amount required to reach 25% of the general revenue collections each year unless certain conditions are met, and allow the legislature to withdraw funds for critical state needs.
FailedNo. 2 Constitutional Amendment: Exemption of Tangible Personal Property on Agricultural Land from Taxation
58.21% yes statewide; it needed 60% (unofficial)
- StatewideYes 4,542,890 · 58.21%; no 3,260,799 · 41.79%
- Manatee CountyYes 108,537 · 63.08%; no 63,528 · 36.92%
Proposing an amendment to the State Constitution to exempt tangible personal property habitually located or typically present on land classified as agricultural, used in the production of agricultural products or for agritourism activities, and owned by the landowner or leaseholder of the agricultural land from ad valorem taxation. If approved this amendment would first apply for tax years beginning January 1, 2027.
PassedNo. 3 Constitutional Amendment: Increased Homestead Exemption; Lower Cap on Increases in Non-Homestead Property Assessments
61.98% yes statewide; it needed 60% (unofficial)
- StatewideYes 4,917,796 · 61.98%; no 3,016,195 · 38.02%
- Manatee CountyYes 114,897 · 65.03%; no 61,773 · 34.97%
This amendment increases the homestead exemption, for all non-school taxes, to $150,000 in 2027 and $250,000 in 2028, and adjusts for inflation thereafter. …
PassedManatee County Referendum: Water Quality Protection, Overdevelopment Prevention, Natural Lands Preservation, and Public Preserves General Obligation Bond Referendum
75.84% for bonds (unofficial)
- Manatee CountyFor bonds 129,449 · 75.84%; against bonds 41,243 · 24.16%
To acquire, improve, maintain, and contribute to the acquisition of lands and other property interests to protect drinking water sources, water quality, wildlife habitat, natural and environmentally sensitive lands from overdevelopment and provide public preserves, shall Manatee County levy an additional 0.16 mill ad valorem tax and issue general obligation bonds not exceeding $75,000,000, maturing within 20 years, bearing interest not exceeding the legal rate, payable from ad valorem taxes, and provide annual public audits?
Depends on where you live
County, school board and state districts
Parts of Palmetto, Parrish and Ellenton are in different districts, so you'll see some of these races, not all. Your sample ballot shows yours.
County Commissioner, District 1
Elizabeth “Liz” Arnold leads with 65.96%
- Elizabeth “Liz” ArnoldREPLeads31,964 · 65.96%
- Sari Lindroos-ValimakiDEM16,446 · 33.94%
- Jack D May JrWrite-in
In this seat now: Vacant
Write-in votes: 48 (0.10%).
County Commissioner, District 2
Amanda Ballard leads with 50.40%
- Amanda BallardREPLeadsIncumbent10,350 · 50.40%
- Charles B. Smith SrDEM10,185 · 49.60%
School Board Member, District 2
Sharon Jefferson leads with 52.15%
- Sharon JeffersonLeads9,738 · 52.15%
- Cindy SprayIncumbent8,935 · 47.85%
Nonpartisan.
State Senator, District 20
Jim Boyd leads with 60.40%
- Jim BoydREPLeadsIncumbent82,769 · 60.40%
- Gerald BaldiDEM54,266 · 39.60%
State Representative, District 70
Michael Owen leads with 61.21%
- Michael OwenREPLeadsIncumbent18,796 · 61.21%
- Luther Keith WilkinsDEM11,909 · 38.79%
State Representative, District 71
Jordan Varnadore leads with 53.92%
- Jordan VarnadoreREPLeads31,182 · 53.92%
- Ocean FittsDEM25,321 · 43.79%
- Joseph HoolihanNPA1,323 · 2.29%
In this seat now: William Cloud “Will” Robinson Jr., not running
State Representative, District 72
William “Bill” Conerly leads with 61.53%
- William “Bill” ConerlyREPLeadsIncumbent56,213 · 61.53%
- Harvey ShifrinDEM35,144 · 38.47%
Parrish Fire District voters
Parrish Fire District, Seat 1
Kyle L. Moore leads with 66.94%
- Kyle L. MooreLeads9,032 · 66.94%
- Edward W. StevensIncumbent4,461 · 33.06%
Nonpartisan.
PassedParrish Fire District Referendum: Authorization to Increase Annual Special Assessments for Fire Protection Services
58.58% yes (unofficial)
- Manatee CountyYes 9,056 · 58.58%; no 6,404 · 41.42%
Shall the Parrish Fire District be authorized to increase its base rate of assessment to include an additional flat charge of $68.00 for each developed residential, commercial and industrial parcel, excluding vacant, acreage and golf course parcels, to fund additional personnel associated with changing the standard firefighter work schedule from 56 hours to 42 hours per week, consistent with the work-schedule policy encouraged under section 633.508(7)(c), Florida Statutes?
City of Palmetto voters
City of Palmetto Commissioner, Ward 2
Sunshine Joiner leads with 54.10%
- Sunshine JoinerLeadsIncumbent1,009 · 54.10%
- Sheldon “Mailman” Jones856 · 45.90%
Ward 2 voters only. Nonpartisan.
PassedCity of Palmetto Charter Amendment: Amendment to the City of Palmetto Charter to add a City boundary map
77.29% yes (unofficial)
- Manatee CountyYes 3,331 · 77.29%; no 979 · 22.71%
Shall the City of Palmetto Charter be amended and restated as described in Ordinance 2026-02, amending the Charter to include a City boundary map?
Community development district voters
Residents of these districts also elect board members. Other local districts' seats were unopposed, so they aren't on the ballot.
Copperstone CDD, Seat 1
Tied: Adam Bailey and Kyle Baber, 240 votes each
- Adam Bailey240 · 50.00%
- Kyle Baber240 · 50.00%
Tied. The canvassing board ordered a recount for Tuesday, Nov. 10.
Harrison Ranch CDD, Seat 1
Marko Krstic leads with 58.05%
- Marko KrsticLeads714 · 58.05%
- Joyce Lynn Calderon516 · 41.95%
Harrison Ranch CDD, Seat 2
Mike Lamb leads with 58.47%
- Mike LambLeads711 · 58.47%
- Tracy Joniec505 · 41.53%
Harrison Ranch CDD, Seat 3
Tony Beazley leads with 61.51%
- Tony BeazleyLeads708 · 61.51%
- Victor G. Colombo443 · 38.49%
Silverleaf CDD, Seat 1
Jackie Petrovich leads with 36.07%
- Jackie PetrovichLeads259 · 36.07%
- Frank John Loviglio246 · 34.26%
- Joe Stanczyk213 · 29.67%
Silverleaf CDD, Seat 4
Timothy Abramski leads with 56.50%
- Timothy AbramskiLeads400 · 56.50%
- Judy Cummings308 · 43.50%
Next elections: 2028
Florida law sets the dates for 2028, the next elections on the calendar. Registration deadlines come when the state posts its 2028 calendar.
- 2028 presidential preference primaryTuesday, March 21, 2028
- 2028 primary electionTuesday, Aug. 22, 2028
- 2028 general electionTuesday, Nov. 7, 2028
Sources (24) · Info updated
- Manatee Supervisor of Elections: Nov. 3, 2026 unofficial results, Nov. 6, 2026
- Manatee Supervisor of Elections: 2026 general election canvassing board notice, Nov. 6, 2026
- Florida Statutes, s. 103.101: presidential preference primary, Nov. 6, 2026
- Florida Statutes, s. 100.061: primary election, Nov. 6, 2026
- Florida Statutes, s. 100.031: general election, Nov. 6, 2026
- Manatee Supervisor of Elections, sample ballot
- Manatee Supervisor of Elections, candidate list
- Florida Division of Elections, constitutional amendments
- Manatee County Commission
- U.S. Senate, Florida
- U.S. House, Vern Buchanan
- Manatee County Mosquito Control District
- Florida Department of State: 2026 general election, amendments, Nov. 6, 2026
- Florida Division of Elections, candidate list
- Manatee Supervisor of Elections, district maps
- School Board of Manatee County
- Florida Senate
- Florida House
- Parrish Fire District, referendum notice
- Parrish Fire District
- Manatee Supervisor of Elections, city candidate list
- City of Palmetto, City Commission
- City of Palmetto, Ordinance 2026-02 (April 20, 2026 City Commission packet, page 114)
- Manatee Supervisor of Elections: Copperstone CDD recount notice, Nov. 6, 2026