Editor’s note: The entire OCN team contributed to this project. Reporters Sofia Sutter and Emily Dougherty compiled candidate profile information, shot the introductory videos and wrote articles explaining the referendums. Eric Orvieto analyzed the candidates campaign finance reports and covered the mayoral debate. Team members Isaac Babcock, Jenny Babcock, Alex Babcock, Megan Stokes, Eric Orvieto and Abe Aboraya edited the enormous amount of copy in this voter guide.
Our community is experiencing a time of great growth and change and because of that, creating a line of communication between the residents and would-be representatives who will make important, local decisions on their behalf is essential.
Enter OCN’s Voter Guide!
This guide provides nonpartisan information about each candidate as well as general information about voting and the election. OCN does not endorse candidates or provide opinions. Find our ethics policy here.
How it works
The OCN team has spent months learning about Greater Oviedo and Winter Springs’ priorities in the Nov. 7 election through our online survey and by collecting questions voters have for local candidates vying for their vote.
We posed the voter-submitted questions that we collected, as well as some questions we formed based on your priorities, to the local candidates. We sent the candidates the questions in writing and they were given a 100-word cap for each question in order to make the guide more digestible.
What’s in it
Running for Oviedo Mayor this year is incumbent Megan Sladek, former Oviedo City Council member Judith Dolores Smith and Oviedo resident Brady Duke. Incumbent Natalie Teuchert is running for reelection to the Oviedo City Council Group 1 seat uncontested. In this guide are candidate profiles, intro videos, and Q&As.
Also on the ballot are two referendums. OCN has an article on each to help you make an informed decision.
OCN will republish this guide when the finalized campaign finance reports are available on Oct. 11.
Office background and influence
The Oviedo City Council is made up of five members, the mayor, deputy mayor, and three council members. According to the City of Oviedo website, their duties are to establish policies, manage land use and growth, approve the annual budget and tax rate and adjust water and wastewater rates along with other fees for services provided by the city. They also have the responsibility to approve laws and ordinances, as well as supervise the city manager.
In order to be qualified, the mayor, deputy mayor and council members must be elected “at large,” meaning they represent the city as a whole, and be a resident of Oviedo. Each seat is elected to serve a two-year term.
Important voting information
- Early voting is planned for 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 4 at Oviedo City Hall, 400 Alexandria Blvd.
- Election Day voting is open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 7. Find your polling location here.
- The voting registration deadline is Oct. 10.
- Register to vote here.
- Check your voter registration status and record here.
- Did you know that you can track your ballot? Do that here.
- The deadline to request a mail-in ballot is 10 days before an election. Request that here.
- Have questions about your mail-in ballot? Find answers here.
- Find information for military or overseas voters here.
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Read Oviedo mayoral candidates answers to voters’ questions in live debate
Analyzing Oviedo mayoral candidates’ financial contributions
Space for K-9s and evidence listed among reasons for $47 million police building
Business tax exemptions on the ballot
