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Florida's General Election is November 3rd!
Progressives across the nation are working to educate and motivate voters for these vitally important 2026 midterms. Together, we hope to produce a massive blue wave that flips control of the U.S. House and Senate, providing a much-needed backstop to the remaining two years of Trump's anti-democratic regime.
The stakes are high --- and election protection is a growing concern. The November election is taking place amid unprecedented interference by Trump in our election system. He successfully pressured key states to undertake unprecedented mid-decade redistricting to protect GOP control of Congress. He has tried and failed to weaponize the U.S. Postal Service in an effort to undermine mail-in voting, and pushed to nationalize voter records, the constitutional purview of the states. Most alarming, he has declined to rule out declaring a national security emergency to alter election rules unilaterally ahead of the midterm elections.
Massive voter turnout --- and ensuring every vote is counted --- are critical.
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Florida's primary election produced a top-of-the-ticket ballot that reflects the breadth of today's Democratic Party. DEM David Jolly, a former Republican, faces Trump-endorsed Bryon Donalds in the race for Florida Governor, while Jacksonville state rep. and outspoken grassroots activist Angie Nixon challenges DeSantis appointee Ashley Moody for U.S. Senate. Also on the ballot in November: Congressional District 5, three Cabinet seats, three constitutional amendments including one that would cost Jacksonville $200 million as soon as next year, judicial retention options, run-off elections for School Board and County Judge, renewal of the 1-mill school tax, and two seats --- including the Mayor --- on the Atlantic Beach City Commission.
In this guide, you will find primarily information on candidates and issues that align with BAM's progressive values and priorities. We encourage you to do your own research and consider the endorsements of our partner organizations (which we'll post as those become available) when making your voting decisions!
Voter turnout is key. Trump's ever-increasing unpopularity and an impressive roster of competitive candidates could make this the year to break the GOP's stronghold in North Florida and stymie GOP efforts to further gerrymander our state.
Your most important contribution? Make a plan to vote --- by mail, early, or on Election Day --- and remind like-minded friends and family to do the same!
ELECTION DATES
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CHECK YOUR VOTER STATUS
BEACHES EARLY VOTING SITES
WAYS TO VOTE
Vote-by-Mail
Despite Trump's attacks, you can still vote-by-mail.
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Complete & return your ballot in the pre-paid envelope as soon as you receive it. You can track its status online OR
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Return your completed ballot by placing it in the secure lock box at any Early Voting Site Oct. 20 - Nov. 1 OR
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You can still vote in person during Early Voting or on Election Day as long as you have not sent in your mail-in ballot. Just go to the polls!
Early Voting
Vote early at any Early Voting Site Oct. 20 - Nov. 1. Find locations and other information here. IMPORTANT! Times vary for some dates during this election cycle:
Tuesday, October 20 - Friday, October 23, 2026 -
8 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Saturday, October 24 - Sunday, October 25, 2026 - 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Monday, October 26 - Friday, October 30, 2026 -
7 a.m. - 7 p.m.
Saturday, October 31 - Sunday, November 1, 2026 - 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Vote on Election Day
Vote at YOUR PRECINCT on Election Day from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Find your precinct here.
Need Help Picking a Candidate?
These resources can help! Click on image to get info on races & candidates.
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Federal Races
U.S. Senate
Jacksonville State Legislator Angie Nixon defied pundits and party insiders to win the DEM primary in August and now challenges GOP incumbent and DeSantis appointee Ashley Moody. Even the New York Times wonders if she could pull off an upset again!
Nixon has demonstrated the ability to generate enthusiasm among voters who don't usually show up for the midterms. During her six years in the state legislature, BAM has observed how hard she fights for her constituents and for what she believes in. A seasoned community organizer and
small business owner, Nixon is running on a strong progressive platform, focused on affordability, worker and voting rights, education, and fighting special interests. Recently aligned with the Democratic Socialists, Nixon has stuck to her
message and priorities despite efforts by the media and GOP to pigeonhole her.
Moody, the appointed incumbent, is most noteworthy for her role in the Hope Florida scandal in which $10 million in funds from a Medicaid settlement intended for sick children were diverted for use in defeating two ballot amendments. She is also known for her allegiance to Trump and fellow FL Senator Rick Scott, and her unresponsiveness to constituents who disagree with her.
U.S. Congressional District 5
Rachel Grage is running to unseat John Rutherford, a GOP incumbent first elected in 2017. She brings significant strengths to the race, including detailed knowledge of the issues and solutions to the challenges facing people in the district. Grage cut her political teeth as a community leader, volunteer, and legislative watchdog for a local Democratic women's club, where she was responsible for researching, tracking, advocating, and communicating about
legislation impacting the lives of Florida families. She previously ran for state representative against Kiyan Michael, successfully building a network of grassroots supporters, including many BAM members.
Rutherford, meanwhile,
has been a reliable GOP vote in Congress, who, like Moody, has shown himself largely
disinterested in holding
or attending town halls, or meeting with constituents unless they agree with him.
State Races
Governor & Lt. Governor
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Learn more about Jolly's plans and priorities here.
David Jolly and running mate Gwen Graham face Byron Donalds and Bryan Avila in the race to succeed term-limited Ron DeSantis. Donalds was anointed early on by Trump and handily won the GOP primary. Jolly and Graham are decidedly middle-of-the-road DEMs, although Jolly has demonstrated an ability to energize the base, while appealing to weary Republicans and Independent voters.
Cabinet Seats
There are three Florida Cabinet seats on the November ballot: Attorney General, Chief Financial Officer, and Commissioner of Ag & Consumer Services. Two of these seats --- AG and CFO --- are held by incumbents appointed by Gov. Ron DeSantis who have served as his chief enablers. Current AG James Uthmeier, the architect of both Alligator Alcatraz and the Hope Foundation misappropriation of $10 million in Medicaid funding, is being challenged by attorney and former state legislator and climate change activist José Javier Rodriguez. This choice is a no-brainer.
Former state lawmaker Annette Taddeo is seeking to unseat Blaise Ingoglia, another DeSantis appointee, who has distinguished himself as CFO with DOGE-like attacks on local governments around the state.
And, attorney Joey Atkins is challenging GOP
José Javier Rodriguez
Annette Taddeo
Joey Atkins
incumbent and veteran state legislator Wilton Simpson in the race for Florida Commissioner of Agriculture and Consumer Services. Peruse Simpson's list of donors if you need help deciding who to vote for in this race.
Judges: Merit Retention
Supreme Court Justice Carlos G. Muñiz and three District 5 Court of Appeals judges have qualified for merit retention on the November 2026 general election ballot. Florida law requires these judges to be placed on the ballot in nonpartisan elections every six years so voters can determine whether they should remain on their courts for another six-year term.
No judge in Florida has been removed on a merit retention vote since the system was established in 1978. And a statewide survey shows fewer than half of voters feel confident about rating judges on the ballot. The Florida Bar, however, reminds us that courts matter and offers a great website and resources to help voters make an informed decision. Worth pointing out: all of these judges were appointed by GOP governors --- Rick Scott or DeSantis --- and reflect a solidly conservative perspective on the bench.
Constitutional Amendments
Three amendments to the Florida Constitution are on the ballot this year - all proposed by the state legislature. The most controversial is Amendment 3, which significantly reduces property taxes by increasing homestead exemptions, effectively eliminating a key revenue source for local governments while shifting fiscal control to the state level. Opponents warn that the amendment --- which may be enticing to voters on paper --- will result in
DIVE DEEPER
higher fees, rents, and devastating cuts in local services. Amendments must garner at least 60% of the vote to be adopted. There are ample reasons to oppose all three.
A budget stabilization fund is a kind of governmental savings account that sets aside a portion of total revenues to be used in emergencies or to cover unexpected deficits. Florida’s current BSF (a maximum of 10% of revenue) was created in 1992 by a voter-approved Constitutional amendment. Measure 1 proposes to increase the maximum allowed in the BSF from 10 to 25% of revenue and details new conditions for the fund’s use. Critics wonder why, when so many urgent needs are not being met in our state, it makes sense to put an additional 15% away for a rainy day.
Just as the title suggests, this measure would exempt things like furniture, farming equipment & other machinery and tools on a working farm or agri-tourism business from ad valorem property taxes. The Legislature's Revenue Estimating Conference estimates this would cost local governments roughly $31 million in tax revenue starting in 2027.
Consistent with the Florida Legislature's continuing extension of state control over issues once left to local jurisdictions, this ballot measure significantly and progressively increases the homestead tax exemption, decreases the cap on how much the assessed value of non-homestead properties can increase, and limits how local counties and municipalities can use property tax revenues.
The Legislature’s Revenue Estimating Conference suggests the impact on local governments would be dramatic: totaling nearly $5 billion less revenue in 2027-2028. That number is estimated to increase to $8.8 billion in 2028-2029, $9.7 billion in 2029-2030, $10.7 billion in 2030-2031 and $11.9 billion in 2031-2032. The undercutting of community assets like public parks, libraries, first responders, public transportation, health services, environmental protection and more help explain why this measure is opposed by so many governmental entities & nonprofits, including BAM.
Local Races
Duval County School Board District 2
Westrich's top priorities are "supporting and retaining great teachers, strengthening public schools through meaningful community engagement, and ensuring transparent, responsible stewardship of taxpayer dollars." She pledges to hold regular workshops throughout the district to ensure public input. Bradley, meanwhile, has touted his support of school choice and his experience as a policy analyst for Restoration of America, a right-wing conservative think tank in Ponte Vedra Beach.
Find candidate questionnaires and a recording of a primary election forum hosted by Beaches Watch here.
Beach voters have a chance to end the Moms-for-Liberty majority on the School Board with a candidate strongly committed to public education. Long-time educator and Fletcher High teacher Donna Westrich is in a run-off with well-funded, GOP-backed Donovan Bradley in the nonpartisan School Board race for Seat 2.
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Renewal of 1-Mill Tax for Schools
Voters will be asked in November to approve the renewal of a 1-mill tax to supplement teacher salaries and support arts and athletic programs in Duval County Schools. The tax was passed by voters in 2022 to support the retention of experienced teachers in the school system.
Education advocacy groups, including the Jacksonville Public Education Fund, strongly support the measure. Find out more and view a forum held by the group here.
County Court Judge
Melina Buncome faces Octavious Holliday in a run-off election for County Court Judge Group 13. This is an easy pick for Beaches residents. Holliday was the assistant state
attorney who handled the case involving a machete attack at the Beaches Library early voting site in 2024 --- and dropped the charges against the perpetrator. Buncome should get our support.
Atlantic Beach City Commission
This year Atlantic Beach has two contested races for positions of civic leadership. Incumbent mayor Curtis Ford is running for a third consecutive term as Mayor, pointing to his "no drama" approach to leadership, his existing relationships with neighboring leaders, and his fiscal conservatism. He is challenged by Dr. Nancy Staats, who points to AB's historic loss of heritage trees and high staff turnover under Ford, and her sense of urgency to better ensure AB's resiliency and quality of life in the face of “extreme development pressures."
Nancy Staats
BAM knows Nancy well --- she was a long-term BAM Board member, known for her work ethic, advocacy, and commitment to community engagement. Our members are enthusiastic in their support of her candidacy.
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Lisa Herrold
Two candidates are also vying for AB Commission Seat 4. Lisa Herrold's record of community service includes 10 years as Co-Chair of Atlantic Beach Preservation, which has a long track record of policing the quality of life in Atlantic Beach and hosting community conversations on issues like Sea Level Rise, Stormwater, Parking, Dune Renourishment, and the effort to save AB Elementary. Also running for this position is Jenn
Lagner, another longtime AB resident who has also served on numerous city boards, including the Charter Review Committee and the Community Development Board.
To learn more and hear directly from each of the candidates on a range of local issues we recommend this excellent Beaches Watch candidate forum.
Atlantic Beach is the only city at the Beach with competitive races on the ballot in November. Candidates seeking to fill seats on the Neptune and Jax Beach City Councils faced no opposition in the upcoming election.
Protecting the Vote
Our electoral system is facing unprecedented threats from Trump and his administration in their effort to exert federal control over elections and keep Americans from voting and eligible votes from being counted. Thankfully, voting rights organizations like Common Cause and the ACLU have come together to form state Election Protection Coalitions and are prepared to mount a coordinated response to defend the vote. You can be a part of these efforts by reporting voter
suppression and any irregularities you observe at the polls to the election protection hotline (866-OUR-VOTE). You can also volunteer to be a poll watcher, a legal observer or a canvassing board observer.
RESOURCES
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Worried about election interference? Indivisible is organizing a 50 state election protection initiative to counter threats and ensure all eligible voters get to cast their ballot and that those ballots get counted. While Blue States are particularly vulnerable, it pays to be aware and prepared here, especially given Florida's efforts to rig the congressional map in 2026.
By signing up you’ll get notified of key voting deadlines, get updates on any threats to your voting rights and how to counter them, and be ready to mobilize in defense of your vote.