Bradenton Election Day 2026 Voting Guide: Where, How To Vote; Candidates

MANATEE COUNTY, FL — Voters in Bradenton and across Manatee County will take to the polls on Tuesday, deciding governor, U.S. Senate and U.S. House of Representatives, and state legislative races, along with local contests, in the Nov. 3 midterm election.

They will also have a say on state constitutional amendments and county charter referendums on Election Day.

Most Florida polling places are open on Election Day from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. EST, while some counties in the Panhandle are open until 8 p.m. EST because they're in the Central Time Zone. (Be sure to bring a photo ID with you.)

Find more information on how to vote, as well as candidates and issues on this year's ballot below.

Voter Turnout

Even before the polls open on Tuesday morning, about 40 percent of about 13.7 million registered voters in Florida have already cast their ballots, according to the University of Florida Election Lab.

Nearly 5.46 million voters in the state voted early, either in person (nearly 3.47 million) or by mail (about 1.99 million), according to the Election Lab.

About 2.06 million or 37.8 percent of registered Democrats and about 2.92 million or 40.2 percent of registered Republicans opted to vote early, data shows. About 1.2 million or 22 percent of independent voters also voted early.

In Manatee County, voter turnout was at 42.65 percent, with nearly 123,000 of eligible voters voting early, according to the Manatee County Supervisor of Elections office. About 50.5 percent (or 41.2 percent) voted by mail, while 58.8 percent (more than 72,000) voted in person.

About 49.6 percent of those who voted early were registered Republicans, just over 36 percent were Democrats and about 21 percent were independent voters.

How to Vote in Manatee County

Polling places across the county are open to registered voters from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. EST on Nov. 3. If you are in line at 7 p.m., you will be allowed to vote, but if you arrive at the polling place after 7 p.m., you will not be allowed to vote.

On Election Day, you may only vote in person at the polling place assigned to your district.

Before voting, you can review or update your voter registration information.

You can also find where you vote here.

Forms of ID

In order to cast your ballot at the polls, you’ll need to bring a valid and current photo and signature ID to your polling station.

Acceptable forms of ID in Florida include:

• Florida driver license
• Florida ID card (issued by the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles)
• U.S. passport
• Debit or credit card
• Military ID
• Student ID
• Retirement center ID
• Neighborhood association ID
• Public assistance ID
• Veteran health ID (issued by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs)
• Concealed weapon license (issued pursuant to F.S. 790.06)
• Employee ID card issued by any branch, department, agency or entity of the federal government, the state, a county, or a municipality.

If your photo ID doesn't contain your signature, an additional ID with your signature is required.

Without proper identification, you may still vote with a provisional ballot, which will later be evaluated by a canvassing board for eligibility.

Voters are welcome to bring a sample ballot to the polling place marked with their choices so there are no delays in voting.

When you arrive at the polls:

1. Check in with your valid and current photo and signature ID.
2. Receive your paper ballot and proceed to a privacy booth.
3. Using the black pen provided, completely fill in the oval next to each of your selections.
4. Review your ballot. If you wish to make changes, request another ballot.
5. If you have any questions, ask a poll worker before you insert the ballot in the scanner. Once a ballot has been accepted, it cannot be retrieved.

Candidates and Issues

Manatee County voters will cast votes for candidates in multiple state and local races, and will also have a say in statewide and county issues in the Nov. 3 general election.

Find your personalized sample ballot here.

The following candidates and issues will be on the ballot. Voters will select one in each race unless noted otherwise.

Patch sent candidate questionnaires to those running for Manatee County Commission and School District of Manatee County seats, as well as the Bradenton City Council. The profiles of candidates who responded to our questionnaires are linked at their name; if a candidate name has no link, that means they didn’t respond.

Federal Races:

U.S. Senator

• Ashley Moody, Republican
• Angie Nixon, Democrat
• Neil J. Gillespie, No Party Affiliation

U.S House of Representatives, District 16

• Sydney Gruters, Republican
• Kelly Kirschner, Democrat
• Mark Davis, No Party Affiliation

State Candidate Contests:

Governor and Lieutenant Governor

• Byron Donalds/Bryan Avila, Republican
• David Jolly/Gwen Graham, Democrat
• Scott Eckhard Jewett/Nicole Skelly, Libertarian Party of Florida
• Charles Burkett/Ruben Coto, No Party Affiliation
• Frank J. Russo/Rachel Rodriguez, No Party Affiliation
• Moliere “Moe” Dimanche/Benjaman Rojas, No Party Affiliation
• Dean Ocean Abrams/Joe Van Vactor, No Party Affiliation
• Jeffrey Peter “Dr. Jeff” Datto/Juan Santana, No Party Affiliation
• Qualified Write-In Candidates - Kathy Anderson/Daniel Nokovich and Erik Morris/LeRoy Alaways

Attorney General

• James Uthmeier, Republican
• Jose Javier Rodriguez, Democrat

Chief Financial Officer

• Blaise Ingoglia, Republican
• Annette Taddeo, Democrat

Commissioner of Agriculture

• Wilton Simpson, Republican
• Joey Mendoza Atkins, Democrat
• Qualified Write-In Candidate - Kyle “KC” Gibson

State Senator, District 20

• Geraldi Baldi, Democrat
• Jim Boyd, Republican

State Senator, District 22

• James Buchanan, Republican
• Martin Hyde, No Party Affiliation
• Lew Wasserman, Democrat

State Representative, District 70

• Michael Owen, Republican
• Luther Keith Wilkins, Democrat

State Representative, District 71

• Ocean Fitts, Democrat
• Joseph Hoolihan, No Party Affiliation
• Jordan Varnadore, Republican

State Representative, District 72

• William “Bill” Conerly, Republican
• Harvey Shifrin, Democrat

Judicial Retention:

Justice of the Supreme Court

Shall Justice Carlos G. Muniz of the Supreme Court be retained in office?

• Yes
• No

District Court of Appeal

Shall Justice Drew Atkinson of the Second District Court of Appeal be retained in office?

• Yes
• No

Shall Justice Morris Silberman of the Second District Court of Appeal be retained in office?

• Yes
• No

Shall Justice Daniel H. Sleet of the Second District Court of Appeal be retained in office?

• Yes
• No

Shall Justice Andrea Teves Smith of the Second District Court of Appeal be retained in office?

• Yes
• No

Manatee County Races:

Board of County Commissioners, District 1

• Elizabeth Arnold, Republican
• Sari Lindroos-Valimaki, Democrat
• Qualified Write-in Candidate - Jack D. May Jr.

Board of County Commissioners, District 2

• Amanda Ballard, Republican
• Charles B. Smith Sr., Democrat

Board of County Commissioners, District 6, At Large

• Reggie J. Bellamy, Democrat
• Tara Poulton, Republican

School Board, District 2

• Sharon Jefferson
• Cindy Spray

School Board, District 5

• Camden T. Bedinghaus
• Jonathan Mullis

Bradenton City Council:

Ward 3

• Kemp F. Schuessler
• Thomas J. Schwarz

Ward 4

• Keith J. Green
• Lisa Gonzalez Moore

Holmes Beach:

Mayor

• Dan Diggins
• David L. Zaccagnino

Commissioner

• John J. Azzata
• Mark Hebden
• Carol Whitmore

Palmetto:

Commissioner, Ward 2

• Sunshine Joiner
• Sheldon “Mailman” Jones

Special Districts:

Mosquito Control District, Group 1

• Scott Johnson
• Rodney O’Quinn
• Charles “Rick” Richards

East Manatee Fire Rescue, Seat 3

• William Bjork
• Larry Luh

East Manatee Fire Rescue, Seat 5

• Joseph Houlihan
• Richard Jacobs

Parrish Fire District, Seat 1

• Kyle L. Moore
• Edward W. Stevens

West Manatee Fire and Rescue, Seat 2

• Jacob R. Kyser
• Derrick Warner

West Manatee Fire and Rescue, Seat 3

• John Agnelli
• Dana Tindall

West Manatee Fire and Rescue, Seat 4

• Billy Burke
• Keith D. Miller

Copperstone CDD, Seat 1

• Adam Bailey
• Kyle Baber

Cross Creek CDD, Seat 2

• Frank Sacca
• Bruce R. Stolarz

Eagle Pointe CDD, Seat 1

• William John Hathaway
• Leah Ogren

Eagle Pointe CDD, Seat 3

• James P. Casement
• Kevin G. Gagne

Harrison Ranch CDD, Seat 1

• Joyce Lynn Calderon
• Marko Krstic

Harrison Ranch CDD, Seat 2

• Tracy Joniec
• Mike Lamb

Harrison Ranch CDD, Seat 3

• Tony Beazley
• Victor G. Colombo

Heritage Harbour North CDD, Seat 1

• Nancy Quinn
• Grace Russolillo

Lakewood Ranch CDD 2, Seat 5

• Jonathan Dayton
• Bill Mariotti
• Arthur Taber

Lakewood Ranch Stewardship District, Seat 3

• Tryn Stimart
• Henry N. White Jr.

Legends Bay CDD, Seat 3

• Angela Albrecht
• Michael A. Conner

Legends Bay CDD, Seat 5

• Sandra K. Freas
• Jack A. Knisley Jr.

Silverleaf CDD, Seat 1

• Frank John Loviglio
• Jackie Petrovich
• Joe Stanczyk

Silverleaf CDD, Seat 4

• Timothy Abramski
• Judy CUmmings

Tara CDD, Seat 1

• Joseph Bartolomeo
• Karin Murphy

Tara CDD, Seat 5

• Eugene J. Rado
• Carl Teisch

Manatee County Referendum:

Water Quality Protection, Overdevelopment Prevention, Natural Lands Preservation, and Public Preserves General Obligation Bond Referendum

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?

• For bonds
• Against bonds

City of Bradenton Referendums:

Remove Mayor's Tie Vote Right and Ex Officio President Designation; Add Mayor Not Council Member

Shall the Bradenton City Charter be amended to remove the Mayor's right to cast a vote in the event of a tie; and, to remove the designation of Mayor as "ex officio president of the Council" and add language to provide that the Mayor is not a member of the City Council.

• Yes
• No

Providing for Term Limits for the Mayor and City Council Members

Shall the Bradenton City Charter be amended to provide term limits for the Mayor and City Council. The terms shall be limited to three full, consecutive terms in the same office, beginning January 2028. A break in service of a minimum of two years after service of three full, consecutive terms in the same office is required before a mayor or council member can run again for the same office.

• Yes
• No

City of Holmes Beach Referendum:

Referendum Vacating Alleyway

Shall the City vacate an unused and inaccessible ten -foot -wide alleyway bisecting the coastal residential property at 2902 Avenue East from north to south, where such alleyway shall be vacated in favor of the property owner for that property, where such alleyway is not directly connected to any public right -of -way, prior rights of way have already been vacated, and the City Commission approved such vacation by supermajority vote at public hearings?

• Yes
• No

City of Palmetto Referendum:

Amendment to the City of Palmetto Charter to add a City boundary map

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?

• Yes
• No

Parrish Fire District Referendum:

Authorization to Increase Annual Special Assessments for Fire Protection Services

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?

• Yes
• No

Florida Constitutional Amendments:

No. 1 - Constitutional Amendment Article II, Section 19 - Budget Stabilization Fund

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.

• Yes
• No

No. 2 - Constitutional Amendment, Article VII, Section 3; Article XII - Exemption of Tangible Personal Property on Agricultural Land from Taxation

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.

• Yes
• No

No. 3 - Constitutional Amendment Article VII, Sections 4, 6 and 9; Article XII - Increased Homestead Exemption; Lower Cap on Increases in Non-Homestead Property Assessments

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. It requires the Legislature to prescribe a uniform procedure for counties and municipalities, for their respective levies, to increase the homestead exemption up to full assessed value, and allows special districts, subject to referendum approval, to do the same.

Persons who are not Florida residents on December 31, 2026, will receive the existing homestead exemption upon qualifying for a homestead exemption, with the increased homestead exemption beginning with the fifth year of exemption, to the extent permitted by the U.S. Constitution.

This amendment reduces the annual cap on assessment increases for non-homestead properties from 10% to 5%.

This amendment requires counties and municipalities to use property taxes solely for public safety, education and schools, infrastructure, natural resources, bond debt service, retirement benefits for employees, and operations and administration. Other expenditures may be approved by county officers or county or municipal governing bodies unless prohibited by general law, notwithstanding Article VII, Section 9(a) of the Florida Constitution, which allows counties and municipalities to levy property taxes for their respective purposes.

This amendment takes effect January 1, 2027.

• Yes
• No