Support Us Button Widget

How to run for office in Lakeland

Are you eligible to run for office in Lakeland? Learn how you can get started, as well as what positions are available this year, here.

Copy of LAL-General Hero

Photo via @missmarriahadeline | Graphic via 6AM City

Table of Contents

So, you want to run for office? Good for you. Here’s how you get started.

The City of Lakeland’s filing period will open soon for interested candidates to apply to run for public office, and it will close in September 2025 ahead of the November 2025 vote.

Upcoming opportunities to serve

  • Mayor
  • At Large: Seat 1
  • District C: Southwest
  • District D: Southeast
Map of commissioner districts

City of Lakeland Commissioners Districts, North | Map via The City of Lakeland

map of commissioner districts 2

City of Lakeland Commissioners Districts, South | Map via The City of Lakeland

All of the elected positions will include four-year terms. The term of office for council members is staggered, meaning half of the positions are elected every two years. If elected, these candidates will serve until Dec. 31, 2029.

Do you qualify to run?

You can apply to run for public office if you are:

  • At least 18 years old
  • Currently registered to vote
  • A resident of your district + Lakeland
  • Able to commit to a four-year term

Contact the City Clerk’s Office for an appointment + application packet once the filing period opens.

More from LALtoday
Meet an athlete who honed his craft as a student in Lakeland and is now representing the USA in the 2024 Paris Olympics.
You’ve never learned Roy G. Biv like this before.
Florida is home to some spectacular skies, especially where day and night meet — and we’re calling on you to help us find the best view.
You can soon hop a flight from LAL to major cities in the south, New England, and even abroad.
Once booming, now barren. Let’s take a peek at malls of Lakeland’s past — plus hope for the future.
Mitchell’s Coffee Shop has been serving up coffee and gourmet food since 1998. See what inspired the coffee shop’s founder to open the first shop of its kind in Lakeland 25 years ago.
We asked four different businesses around Lakeland to make us a beverage that they felt encapsulated the Swan City vibe — here’s what they came up with.
A turn of phrase here, a recognizable Lakeland nod there — these craft beers found around Swan City take local pride seriously.
It’s officially back to school season. Stock up on free supplies and educational resources for the 2024-2025 school year.
From comedy shows and Broadway tours to local organizations supporting Lakeland’s arts community, we’ve rounded up 19 places to get your arts and culture fix around Swan City.