Voter Guide – General Election 2026

Representatives, or congressmen and congresswomen, represent a set number of constituents within a defined district within their respective state. There are 435 members of the House who each serve two-year terms for a maximum of four consecutive terms. U.S. Representatives make $174,000. 

The U.S. House of Representatives oversees: 

• Representatives introduce bills and resolutions 
• Offer amendments
• Serve on committees 
• Disburse government funding for functions and programs
• Oversee the executive branch 
• Make and pass federal laws

The Florida House of Representatives is a part of the state’s legislature. Representatives serve two-year terms for a maximum of four consecutive terms in which they vote on bills that affect the state. There are a total of 120 members. Their annual salary is $29,697. 

State representatives oversee: 

• Draft and pass state laws and bills that impacts education, healthcare, and more
• Draft and pass amendments to existing laws 
• Create public policy based on engagement with the public and stakeholders. 
• Draft and pass the state budget and the portion that goes to each municipality
• Raise or lower taxes 
• Oversee the performance and efficacy of state agencies such as the Florida Department of Transportation, the Department of Education, etc. 
• Vote to override or uphold a gubernatorial veto

State representatives work to represent their municipalities’ interests at the state level. They often work in committees to sponsor bills and introduce budget amendments to earn funding for their city.

Florida state senators serve four-year terms for a maximum of two consecutive terms. There are 40 senators in Florida. Their annual salary is $29,697. 

Florida Senators oversee: 

• Draft and pass legislation that impacts education, healthcare, and more
• Draft and pass amendments to existing laws 
• Draft and pass the state budget and the portion that goes to each municipality
• Raise or lower taxes 
• Vote to override or uphold a gubernatorial veto

Supervisors of elections are in charge of the election proceedings within their county jurisdiction, which tends to cover the entire county. They’re designated to do so by state law and county charter.  

The responsibilities of the Supervisor of Elections includes: 

• Accepting and certifying local ballot initiatives 
• Sending and receiving mail-in ballots, including to those in the military and overseas 
• Conducting elections, including determining precincts, organizing precinct operations, handling staff and volunteers, and making sure voters are aware of their precincts 
• Qualifying candidates to run for office 
• Receiving campaign finance documents and making them available to the public  
• Registering voters, maintaining voter rolls and removing inactive voters or those who’ve moved 
• Conducting all public elections in the county
• Sending advance notice of elections 

The Seminole County Supervisor of Elections in 2023-2024 fiscal year was paid $180,332.

County judgeships are non-partisan. They serve six-year terms. 

The responsibilities of Seminole County Judges includes: 

• Deciding nonviolent cases, including misdemeanors, local ordinance violations, civil claims up to and including $50,000, tenant evictions, and traffic violations.

Winter Springs has a weak mayor system, though the mayor has the power to veto Commission votes. Currently, there are five voting city commissioners, and the mayor leads meetings and speaks on topics being discussed and deliberated by the Commission, but only votes in the rare case of a tie vote, which can occur in the instance of an abstention from a vote or absence of a Commission member. 

The responsibilities of the Winter Springs Mayor include:  

• Preside over over City Commission meetings
• Act as master of ceremonies for city events
• Work as a liaison to the community and to outside officials
• Provide a veto over legislation voted on by the Commission

Winter Springs has its legislative powers held by the Mayor and the City Commission, functioning under a Commission/Manager form of government. The Mayor and five City Commissioners are elected at large, with each City Commissioner coming from a different district and serving four-year terms.

The responsibilities of the Winter Springs City Commission includes:

• Attend meetings and workshops. The commission meets at 6:30 p.m. on the second and fourth Monday of each month in the City Hall.
  • City Commission meeting agendas are posted five days before the meeting. 
• Draft, approve, and amend policies, laws and ordinances for the city
• Make decisions on land use matters by considering land zoning change requests and development proposals. They also guide growth and development by approving a comprehensive plan. 
• Approve the annual budget and set the tax rate
• Set and adjust fees such as water, wastewater and trash pick up 

Oviedo’s City Council is made up of five members, the mayor, deputy mayor and three council members. They are elected every two years. Each council member must live within the city limits of Oviedo in order to be elected. 

Examples of what the Oviedo City Council does: 

• Meets at 6:30 p.m. on the first and third Monday of each month in the City Hall.
  • City Council meeting agendas are posted five days before the meeting. 
• Work 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. 
• Approve laws and ordinances
• Supervise the city manager