Sumter County Reports 73.56% Voter Turnout

Sumter County voters turned out in strong numbers for the Nov. 3 general election, with 95,678 ballots cast among 130,072 registered voters, representing a 73.56% turnout.

As of 7:30 pm Tuesday, all 33 precincts had reported their Election Day and early voting results, although some vote-by-mail ballots were still being counted.

Republican candidates held substantial leads in Sumter County across major federal and state races, including the contests for U.S. Senate, governor, attorney general and chief financial officer.

Local voters also selected candidates for municipal and community development district offices and weighed in on constitutional amendments and county referendums.

The following results are unofficial and reflect votes reported by Sumter County as of 7:30 pm Nov. 3.

Important: Although all Sumter County precincts have reported, some vote-by-mail ballots remain outstanding. Additionally, federal, statewide and legislative district races are determined by votes across their respective jurisdictions, not Sumter County alone. The candidates listed below are leading in Sumter County and should not be considered the overall winners until the applicable election results are confirmed.

Local Election Results

Bushnell Mayor — Seat 1

Dale Barnes — 700 votes (61.67%)
Erica Miller — 435 votes (38.33%)

Center Hill City Council — Seat 3

Don M. Buckner Sr. — 178 votes (64.49%)
Daniel Shimasaki — 98 votes (35.51%)

Village CDD 2 — Seat 1

Tom Swiers — 1,540 votes (53.94%)
Frank Shallis — 1,315 votes (46.06%)

Village CDD 2 — Seat 2

James “Jim” Cipollone — 1,888 votes (64.09%)
David Stem — 1,058 votes (35.91%)

Village CDD 2 — Seat 3

James “Jim” Conti — 1,673 votes (58.93%)
Harold “Coach Hal” Whiting — 1,166 votes (41.07%)

Village CDD 13 — Seat 4

Kenneth Ivins — 4,826 votes (66.42%)
Chuck Krouse — 2,440 votes (33.58%)

Federal and State Election Results

These figures reflect Sumter County votes only. Statewide and districtwide races are decided by votes across their full jurisdictions, not Sumter County alone.

U.S. Senate

Ashley Moody (R) — 67,621 votes (71.15%)
Angie Nixon (D) — 26,547 votes (27.93%)
Neil J. Gillespie (NPA) — 869 votes (0.91%)

U.S. House — District 11

Joe Strada (R) — 65,169 votes (69.01%)
James Pericola (D) — 28,494 votes (30.17%)
Ralph Groves (LPF) — 769 votes (0.81%)

Governor and Lieutenant Governor

Byron Donalds (R) — 66,081 votes (69.49%)
David Jolly (D) — 28,181 votes (29.64%)
Other candidates and write-ins — 828 votes combined

Attorney General

James Uthmeier (R) — 67,462 votes (71.27%)
Jose Javier Rodriguez (D) — 27,196 votes (28.73%)

Chief Financial Officer

Blaise Ingoglia (R) — 66,589 votes (70.99%)
Annette Taddeo (D) — 27,214 votes (29.01%)

Commissioner of Agriculture

Wilton Simpson (R) — 66,042 votes (70.40%)
Joey Mendoza Atkins (D) — 27,582 votes (29.40%)
Write-ins — 188 votes (0.20%)

State House — District 52

Samantha Scott (R) — 66,136 votes (70.36%)
Pamala Kaye Bivins (D) — 27,866 votes (29.64%)

Sumter County Referendums

County Referendum 1

YES — 55,980 votes (63.75%)
NO — 31,836 votes (36.25%)

County Referendum 2 — Tourist Development Tax

FOR — 51,408 votes (59.57%)
AGAINST — 34,887 votes (40.43%)

Both county referendums have majority support in the unofficial results.

Constitutional Amendments

Florida constitutional amendments require at least 60% statewide approval to pass. The following are Sumter County results only.

Amendment 1

YES — 45,105 votes (50.55%)
NO — 44,120 votes (49.45%)

Amendment 2

YES — 62,166 votes (69.26%)
NO — 27,585 votes (30.74%)

Amendment 3

YES — 63,634 votes (70.35%)
NO — 26,815 votes (29.65%)

Judicial Retention Results

Florida Supreme Court — Carlos G. Muñiz

YES — 61,462 votes (73.19%)
NO — 22,516 votes (26.81%)

Fifth District Court of Appeal — John M. Harris

YES — 63,512 votes (77.22%)
NO — 18,739 votes (22.78%)

Fifth District Court of Appeal — Scott D. Makar

YES — 62,005 votes (76.31%)
NO — 19,252 votes (23.69%)

Fifth District Court of Appeal — F. Rand Wallis

YES — 61,948 votes (76.25%)
NO — 19,293 votes (23.75%)

All results remain unofficial until certified by the appropriate election authorities. Additional ballots may change vote totals and percentages.

Source: Sumter County Supervisor of Elections, unofficial 2026 General Election results, updated Nov. 3, 2026, at 7:30:55 pm.