Information About Municipal Elections

Candidates on Record to Date (in alphabetical order)

Mayor

• Cindi Hutchinson
• Steve Rossi
• John P. "Jack" Seiler

City Commissioner, District III

• Bobby DuBose
• Cameron L. Mizell
• Jimmy B. Witherspoon

City Commissioner, District IV

• Jim Lewis
• J. Coleman Prewitt
• Romney Rogers

Election Dates

For election information and election results, visit the Broward County Supervisor of Elections.

Early Voting Schedule/Sites

Early Voting Schedule/Sites

Absentee Ballots

Residents may pick up an Absentee Ballot Request card at the City Hall Security Desk in the lobby of City Hall to request an absentee ballot to be mailed to them for the February 14 Primary and March 14 General Municipal Elections. Residents must either mail the request card using first class postage or hand deliver it to:

Supervisor of Elections
Broward County Governmental Center
115 S Andrews Avenue, Room 102
Fort Lauderdale, FL
8:30 AM - 5 PM
954-357-7050

The City of Fort Lauderdale will NOT accept any Absentee Ballot Request cards.

Broward County Supervisor of Elections Office has advised that all requests for absentee ballots to be mailed to voters for the January 29, 2008 Presidential Preference Primary must be received in their office by 5 p.m. on Wednesday, January 23, 2008.

Frequently Asked Questions

What offices are elected in the City of Fort Lauderdale?
The Mayor and four City Commissioners are the elected officials of the City of Fort Lauderdale. The Mayor is elected at-large and the City Commissioners are elected from each of the four districts. The three-year terms run concurrently, and all are up for election at the same time.

How often are elections?
Elections are held every three years, and every seat is up for election at the same time. The primary election is held the second Tuesday in February, only if there are more than two candidates running for the same office. If such is the case and one candidate wins with 50% + 1 vote, then he/she is automatically elected; if not, then the two top candidates are placed on the ballot for the general election, which is held the second Tuesday in March. If, however, there are only two candidates running for the same seat, then they run only in the March election. In the case where no one qualifies to run for office against an incumbent, then he/she is automatically elected.

How can I register to vote?
To register to vote, you must be a US citizen and 18 years of age or older. For more information, contact Broward County Supervisor of Elections - Outreach Services at 954-357-7094.

What are the requirements to run for office?
For the office of Mayor, a qualified candidate must be a resident for a minimum of six months immediately preceding the date of the election. Such candidate must also be a registered voter, at least 21 years of age, and a citizen of the United States. For the office of City Commissioner, a qualified candidate must be a resident of the City of Fort Lauderdale for a minimum of six months immediately preceding the date of the election, and must reside in the district on the day of qualifying. He/she must also be a registered voter, at least 21 years of age, and a citizen of the United States. No candidate is allowed to hold any other public elective office, and cannot be an officer, employee, or serve in any capacity with the City government (except a City Commissioner running for the office of Mayor).

Is there a charge to run for office?
Yes. The City of Fort Lauderdale charges $100 for administrative costs, and the State of Florida charges one percent (1%) of the Mayor or City Commissioner salary, which is collected through the City. Thus, the filing fee to run for Mayor is $450 and $400 for City Commissioner.

Are parties of candidates mentioned in elections?
No. All City elections are conducted on a nonpartisan basis; that is, references to party affiliation are not permitted on any campaign literature and do not appear on the ballot.

What role does the City Clerk's Office play in municipal elections?
The City Clerk's Office hires of all poll workers, secures precinct facilities, ballot information, and qualifying documents and campaign financing reports for candidates. The City Clerk serves as the official representative of the City with the Supervisor of Elections.

Campaign Financing Ordinance

On May 7, 2002, the City Commission adopted an ordinance amending Chapter 12 of the city of Fort Lauderdale Code of Ordinances, creating campaign contribution limits and prohibiting contributions from specified entities and organizations in Fort Lauderdale municipal elections for Mayor-Commissioner and City Commissioner. Candidates for municipal election and their campaign treasurers should become familiar with these new regulations.Read the new Campaign Financing Ordinance .

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