Voters across Lake and Sumter counties will head to the polls Tuesday, Nov. 3, to cast their ballots in several closely watched races that will help shape the future of their communities and the state.

Among the biggest statewide contests are the races for Florida governor and U.S. Senate.

The governor’s race features Republican Byron Donalds, Democrat David Jolly, Libertarian Scott Eckhard Jewett and no-party-affiliation candidates Charles Burkett, Frank J. Russo, Moliere “Moe” Dimanche, Dean Ocean Abrams and Jeffrey “Dr. Jeff” Datto. Write-in candidates Kathy Anderson and Erik Morris are also running for governor.

Republican Byron Donalds, Democrat David Jolly

The Senate race features Republican Ashley Moody, Democrat Angie Nixon and no-party-affiliation candidate Neil J. Gillespie. Voters will also decide races for attorney general, chief financial officer and agriculture commissioner.

Republican Ashley Moody, Democrat Angie Nixon

Locally, several races are drawing attention, including the Lake County Commission District 4 contest featuring incumbent Leslie Campione, Democrat Egor Emery and write-in candidate Tommie Powers. District 2 is also on the ballot, with incumbent Sean Parks and write-in candidates Jose Elias-Torres and Leighton Powers.

Republican Leslie Campione, Democrat Egor Emery

Education is another focus, with Pat Kelley and James Smith competing for the Lake County School Board District 1 seat.

Pat Kelley and James Smith

Lake County voters will also decide two countywide questions. One would allow the school district to levy up to one mill of property tax for four years to increase teacher pay, enhance school safety and improve student mental health services. The current 0.75-mill levy expires in June 2027. The other asks whether to continue the North Lake County Hospital District, which can levy up to one mill to fund indigent care, for another 10 years.

Municipal elections are also worth watching. Clermont voters will choose between incumbent Mayor Tim Murry and Joe Fumasi, while Groveland voters will decide between Judith Fike and Keith Keogh for mayor.

Incumbent Mayor Tim Murry and Joe Fumasi

In Leesburg, three City Commission seats are up for grabs. Incumbent Allyson Berry faces Erika Jasper for District 1, while incumbent Alan Reisman and Darel Craine are competing for District 2. District 3, the new Villages district, features a contest between Jim DeCastro and Michele Fiore.

Incumbent Allyson Berry and Erika Jasper

Additional local races to watch include:

• Mount Dora: Michael Garcia, Charity McClarty and Bailey Stack are competing for an at-large City Council seat.
• Minneola: Monica Luna faces Pam Serviss for Seat 1; Denise Calderon, Juan Camacho and Erick Hernandez are running for Seat 3; and Nathanael Edmund, Chase Hansen and Jennifer Morse are competing for Seat 5.
• Tavares: Amir Asghar faces Walter Price for City Council Seat 3.
• Mascotte: John Benavidez faces Meghan DeSoto for Seat 2, while Jessica Bruno faces Hugh Gravitt IV for Seat 4.
• Clermont: Michael Gonzalez faces William Petersen for City Council Seat 5.
• Astatula: Mike Hopper and Zane Teeters are competing for mayor, and Kay MacQueen, Cheryl Marinelli, Nolene Meeks and Barry Mosley are running for council.
• Howey-in-the-Hills: Jonathan Arnold, Jonathan Colon Mercado, Joshua Husemann, Renee Lannaman, Leslie Manning, Brad Smith and Rick Thomas are competing for Town Council.
• Montverde: Joe Morganelli, Jimmy Rogers, Aaron Wadsworth and Carol Womack are competing for Town Council.
• Eustis: Christine Cruz faces Marie Aliberti for City Commission Seat 2.
• Fruitland Park: Carl Yauk faces Patrick DeGrave for Seat 1, while Shayna Stanfield Grunewald faces Mitchell Langley for Seat 3.
• Groveland: Barbara Gaines faces Khrystyna McCoy-Tremaine for Seat 3, while Amy Jo Carroll faces Michelle McIntyre for Seat 5.

In Sumter County, voters will decide the Bushnell mayoral race between Dale Barnes and Erica Miller, along with the Center Hill Seat 3 contest between Don Buckner Sr. and Daniel Shimasaki. Several community development district races in The Villages are also on the ballot.

Sumter County voters will also decide two countywide questions: whether to renew the 5th- and 6th-cent local option fuel tax, about two cents per gallon, for up to 30 years beginning Jan. 1, 2028, and whether to re-establish a 2% tourist development tax on short-term rentals.

Florida voters will also consider three proposed constitutional amendments addressing the state’s budget stabilization fund, property tax exemptions for agricultural equipment and homestead property tax provisions.

What voters need to know

Polls will be open Tuesday from 7 am to 7 pm. Anyone in line by 7 pm will be allowed to vote.

Voters should bring a valid photo ID with a signature, such as a Florida driver’s license. If the photo ID does not include a signature, voters must provide another ID that does. Those without acceptable identification may be able to cast a provisional ballot.

Before heading out, voters are encouraged to verify their assigned polling location, review their sample ballot and allow extra time for possible lines. Election Day polling locations may differ from early voting sites.

For polling locations, sample ballots and additional election information, visit:

• Lake County: www.lakevotes.gov
• Sumter County: elections.sumtercountyfl.gov

Election results will begin coming in after polls close Tuesday evening as voters determine who will lead their communities in the years ahead.