Your guide to the 2019 Polk County elections

See Lakeland election results and runoff info here.

It’s Election Day 2019.

Although it’s too late to register to vote in the Nov. 5 elections (the deadline was Oct. 7), you can double-check whether you’re already registered here. #ProTip: If you’re not registered yet, go ahead and do it now. It doesn’t take long, and it will ensure that you’re eligible to vote the next time around. Click here to register online.

Here’s what you need to know before hitting the polls:

Where to vote
Florida law requires that you vote in the precinct where you live. Your voter identification card shows the polling place and voting districts for your address. Search here.

• Lakeland | Winter Haven | Forte Meade | Auburndale

What you need to bring
When you go to vote, make sure you bring a current and valid ID that has your name, photo + signature. These include: Florida driver license, Florida ID card, U.S. passport, debit or credit card, Military ID, Student ID + more. Make sure your ID card has your signature on it.

Here’s what’s at stake in Polk County:
Four cities will decide on four commission seats + five charter amendments.

• Lakeland: Four candidates are competing for one At-Large Commission seat, two candidates are competing for one District Commission seat, and three charter amendments are up for a vote.
• Winter Haven: Six candidates are competing for one commission seat.
• Forte Meade: Two charter amendments are on the ballot
• Auburndale: Three candidates are competing for one commission seat.

Lakeland

City Commission

At-Large

Four candidates, one seat. That’s what’s at stake in the Lakeland City Commission At-Large race. This seat is currently occupied by Commissioner Justin Troller – who is term-limited after serving 12 years in the office.

“I will work every day to make Lakeland one of the best places in Florida to live, work and raise a family. As the father of three young children, a small business owner and a former aide to U.S. Senator Mel Martinez, I would bring a unique perspective to the city commission that is focused on the future of Lakeland. I am committed to strengthening our local economy, advocating for smart and efficient government policies, and creating opportunities for the next generation of Lakelanders.” – Chad McLeod

“Public safety. Job Creation. Smart development. Dynamic Transportation. Together, with your vote, we can ensure that is Lakeland’s future. As an involved citizen, former small business owner, and executive of large organizations, I come with on-the-job experience. My teams and I brought diverse groups together, whether it was for strategic planning, budget negotiations, or cutting-edge initiatives. I can do the same for Lakeland. By voting for me, you ensure that same passion and desire to serve the public’s interests will be serving you every day. Please vote for Carole Philipson for Lakeland City Commissioner At Large.” – Carole Philipson

“I have been involved in the Lakeland City community for decades. I have served on many boards and committees and I have attended training and classes ranging from Polk County Water School to Chamber trainings to all the Lakeland Citizen academies, I have been in the trenches and know what we need as a community.

The reason I am the one candidate that stands out is because I have followed the GigaByte Lakeland issue from the beginning. I understand that the taxpayers are paying to maintain this GigaByte structure that is already in place to supply Publix and Lakeland Regional Health. I am the only candidate in my race who understands that we must add on and allow not just the public but future business to have access to an infrastructure we already have in place for the future of our community.” – Ricky Shirah

“My name is Dr. Shandale Terrell and I’m a homegrown candidate, born and raised in Lakeland, Florida. The citizens of Lakeland should vote for me because I will:

• Expand Small Business Development.
• Work with Corporations to Improve Wages.
• Partner with Public Safety Groups to Improve Neighborhoods.
• Collaborate with Local Higher Education Institutions to Develop an Educated Workforce.

Team Terrell canvassed neighborhoods and knocked on over 20,000 plus doors within the City of Lakeland. I listened and had great conversations with the citizens along the way. I need your Votes of Support on Tuesday, November 5, 2019.” – Dr. Shandale Terrell

NE District B

Jiwa Farrell
Bill “Tiger” Read* – incumbent.

Charter Amendments

Amendment 1: An Amendment to the Charter to Eliminate Obsolete Provisions, Eliminate Gender References; other Miscellaneous Provisions.

Do you favor an amendment to the Lakeland City Charter eliminating unnecessary or obsolete references and provisions; amending any gender-related references; adopting applicable state law provisions; providing periodic commissioner pay adjustments similar to city employees; eliminating reduction in force provisions; creating a charter review committee and providing a periodic charter review process every 8 years; delegating regulation of taxi cabs to the City Commission; eliminating obsolete references to the Hospital Board?

Amendment 2: An amendment reducing terms for commissioners/mayor from 4 to 3; not applicable to incumbents.

Do you favor an amendment to the Lakeland City Charter that reduces the maximum allowable terms of city commissioners and mayor from 4 terms to 3; defining a term as any service in office over 2 years; allowing existing incumbent commissioners to serve a total of 4 terms as commissioner and mayor combined?

Amendment 3: An amendment changing the requirements necessary to sell any City water plant or electric utility.

Do you favor an amendment to the Lakeland City Charter that changes the approval necessary to sell any water plant or electric utility from the existing requirement of 2/3 of all electors qualified to vote to 2/3 vote of the City Commission and 65% of those actually voting in the next general election following City Commission approval?

Winter Haven

City Commission

Seat 1
Nikki Beckett
Elizabeth P. Davis
JoNathan Hilliard*
James Hogan
Tracy Mercer*
William J. Twyford* – incumbent.

Fort Meade

Charter Amendments

Amendment 1: Early Commission Term Start When Filling Vacant Seat

Currently, Fort Meade’s Charter specifies that the commencement and expiration of all City Commission seats are the second Tuesday in January following an election for a commission seat. By law, the Commission is unable to fill a vacant Commission seat, creating a ten-month seat vacancy. This amendment begins the commencement date of that current vacant seat earlier but does not change the expiration date. Question ‐ Shall the above ‐ described amendment be adopted?

Amendment 2: New Procedures Related to Determining and Filling Vacant Commission Seats

Currently, Fort Meade’s Charter declares a vacancy for Commission seat without reference to general law, and conflicts with both state law and the City Code by allowing both a special election and commission appointments to fill vacancies. This amendment declares vacancies for Commission seats based on general law and prior criteria but permits a simple Commission majority to fill vacancies for the remainder of the term. Question ‐ Shall the above ‐ described amendment be adopted?

Auburndale

City Commission

Seat 4
Tanner Atkinson
Danny Chandler
Jack R. Myers*

* We were unable to locate a website or Facebook page for these candidates. If a candidate without a website listed does have one that you are aware of – please send the information to hello@laltoday.com and we will update this page accordingly.