Candidate qualifying opens today in Florida (& Polk County), and the clock is already ticking toward the november Election

Starting at noon today, Monday, June 8, candidates for state representative, state senator, and county and district offices can officially file their paperwork and fees to secure a spot on the ballot. The window closes Friday, June 12, at noon. That is five days, and not a minute more.

If you have been thinking about running for office in Polk County, now is the time to stop thinking and start moving. You can get information about qualifying to become a candidate for any of the elections by contacting the Polk County Supervisor of Elections office for everything you need to know about requirements and deadlines.

The Citrus Tea will be watching and reporting on local candidates as they qualify for Polk County Commission, School Board, and municipal seats across all 17 cities and towns in our county. Qualifying for county offices runs through this Friday, June 12 at noon, right alongside the state deadline. Municipal candidate qualifying does not close until August 20.

One seat on the Board of County Commissioners is already opening up. Commissioner Martha Santiago, Ed.D., who represents District 4 and currently serves as board chair, announced last month that she will not seek a third term. Santiago was first elected in 2018 and re-elected in 2022, making history as the first Hispanic woman ever elected to public office in Polk County. Her District 4 seat, which covers northeast Polk including sections of east Winter Haven, Haines City, Davenport, and Poinciana, will be on the November ballot. As candidates file, we will bring you their names, their districts, and what they are running on.

If you are running for office or know someone who is, reach out to us at [email protected]. We are here to let Polk County know who is asking for their vote.

Here are the dates every Polk County voter needs to know.

• For the Primary Election on August 18, you must register or change your party affiliation by July 20.
• The deadline to request a vote-by-mail ballot is August 6.
• For the General Election on November 3, the voter registration deadline is October 5.
• The deadline to request a vote-by-mail ballot is October 22.
• All of this information is available directly from the Polk County Supervisor of Elections at polkelections.gov.

While local candidates are filing this week, the race for Florida governor is already in full swing heading into that same qualifying deadline, and there is a lot to follow.

On the Republican side, Congressman Byron Donalds of Naples was the first major candidate to announce, throwing his hat in the ring after receiving an endorsement from President Trump. He has raised $22.4 million and holds a commanding lead in Republican primary polling.

Lieutenant Governor Jay Collins, a decorated Green Beret with more than 23 years of military service, also entered the race in January. Former Florida House Speaker Paul Renner and investment firm CEO James Fishback have also declared.

Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd has given his endorsement for Byron Donalds, praising his law-and-order stance and support for tough-on-crime policies.

On the Democratic side, the field just changed dramatically. Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings announced Friday, June 5, that he is suspending his campaign for governor following a prostate cancer diagnosis. That leaves former U.S. Representative David Jolly as the leading Democratic candidate. Jolly has raised $5 million total since entering the race and holds a significant financial advantage over other Democrats who had been in the field.

State Senator Jason Pizzo, running with no party affiliation, has also declared a candidacy.

The primary is August 18. The general election is November 3.

Polk County Candidate Qualifying Information

Disclaimer: The Citrus Tea News is not here to tell you how to vote. We bring you the information so you can make your own informed decisions.

Sources: Polk County Supervisor of Elections, Candidate Qualifying Information, polkelections.gov/31/Candidates
Fox News, Hannity interview, Byron Donalds gubernatorial announcement, February 25, 2025
Florida Division of Elections, Byron Donalds candidate filing, February 26, 2025
Axios/Florida Politics, Byron Donalds campaign finance reporting, Q1-Q2 2026
Emerson College Polling, Florida 2026 gubernatorial primary survey, April 2, 2026
University of North Florida Public Opinion Research Lab, Florida gubernatorial polling, 2026
CNN/Associated Press, Jay Collins gubernatorial announcement, January 12, 2026
Florida Politics, Grady Judd endorsement of Byron Donalds, 2026
Tampa Bay Times, Jerry Demings suspends campaign following prostate cancer diagnosis, June 5, 2026
Florida Politics, David Jolly fundraising and campaign finance reporting, April 11, 2026
Ballotpedia, Florida gubernatorial and lieutenant gubernatorial election 2026, ballotpedia.org/Florida_gubernatorial_and_lieutenant_gubernatorial_election,_2026