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Polk County, Florida

Elections Watch

Current snapshot Strategic Watch updated · other public-source sections retained from the last accepted snapshot
Validated public election records

Elections Watch

Polk County local offices and countywide races first; state and federal records are added only when the contest includes Polk County.

Collection last checked
Race and candidate records reviewed
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How to use this page

Orientation and evidence boundaries

Neutral public-information digest

Candidate platform material is labeled as an attributed Candidate statement, not an independently verified fact. Filed finance is an aggregate snapshot for the stated filing period and source date. Gabby does not rank or endorse candidates, infer positions, profile voters, display donor rows, or provide targeting information.

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Time-sensitive information

Current election picture

Official Election Day status

Unofficial results: 178 of 178 precincts reporting

2026 Florida Primary Election · UNOFFICIAL RESULTS — 94,667 ballots cast · 20.85% turnout · updated 12:01:58 PM EDT. Election-night returns are unofficial until certification.
Polk County results (opens in a new tab) Florida statewide results (opens in a new tab) Voting and precinct information (opens in a new tab)

Election Day record reviewed August 27, 2026 at 8:12 PM EDT

Latest collected election updates

Current public-source collection, including eligible Election Day reporting and exit polling. Reported coverage is kept separate from official turnout and vote results.

7 current updates
Reported coverage

Jury selection begins for Frostproof triple homicide case

Jury selection begins this week for a Lake Wales man accused of a Frostproof triple homicide in 2020.

Reported coverage

Public Notice 9/6/2026

Whitehead Construction is pre-qualifying firms for all trades on the new Smith Lane Joint-Use Fire Rescue Station in Bartow, with M/WBE participation strongly encouraged. The post Public Notice 9/6/2026 first appeared on The Citrus Tea News and was written by Becky McLachlan . The Citrus Tea News co

Reported coverage

Republican Gubernatorial Candidate Byron Donalds Makes Campaign Stop in Lakeland

Donalds will face Democratic candidate David Jolly and No Party Affiliate Frank Russo on the November ballot. The post Republican Gubernatorial Candidate Byron Donalds Makes Campaign Stop in Lakeland appeared first on LkldNow .

Reported coverage

World Health Organization recommends hearing aids to help reduce cognitive decline risk

A new campaign in Florida is encouraging adults 50 and older to make hearing screenings a routine part of their wellness checks.

Reported coverage

Polk County Property Tax Increase Would Raise Teacher Pay to Keep Staff

Supporters of a proposed 1.0-mill property tax for Polk County Public Schools made their public case Tuesday at the Lake Eva Event Center in Haines City, launching a campaign that will ask voters in November to raise their property taxes to pay teachers more. The post Polk County Property Tax Increa

Reported coverage

Governor Candidate Byron Donalds to Speak at Polk State College

LAKELAND, FL — U.S. Rep. Byron Donalds, the Republican candidate for Florida governor, is coming to Polk County next month… The post Governor Candidate Byron Donalds to Speak at Polk State College appeared first on Eye In The Sky News .

Reported coverage

Donalds, Jolly emerge from primaries

Florida voters will pick either U.S. Byron Donalds or former Rep. David Jolly as the state’s next governor after both men won their primaries Tuesday...The result was somewhat predictable, but the primary ended the early part of a campaign season that has been punctuated by some unusual side stories

Statewide primary races

Contested statewide offices appearing on Polk County primary ballots. Candidate names come from official ballot records.

8 party contests
Official ballot Republican

Governor and Lieutenant Governor

Jay Collins · Byron Donalds · James Fishback · Jim Holcomb · Arthur Joseph McCaffrey · Daniel Nokovich · Paul Renner · Rachel Rodriguez · James W. Shaw · Caneste Succe · Bobby Williams

Review official ballot (opens in a new tab)
Official ballot Democratic

Governor and Lieutenant Governor

Evelyn Castillo-Bach · Thomas Eloy Fernandez · Dayna Marie Foster · David Jolly / Gwen Graham · Dotie Joseph · Stephann Norman

Review official ballot (opens in a new tab)

Published polling

Survey measurements only—never official results or a probability forecast.

1 qualifying poll
Published poll

Cygnal · Republican governor primary

Jul 12–Jul 13, 2026 · n=500 Likely Florida Republican primary voters · margin ±4.38 points

Byron Donalds
43%
James Fishback
12%
Jay Collins
11%
Paul Renner
2%
Undecided
31%

Sponsor not identified on the public release. Published poll, not a forecast or official result. Percentages are shown as released by the pollster.

Review poll and methodology (opens in a new tab)

Candidate and race coverage

Current reporting kept distinct from official ballots, turnout and results.

2 current reports
Reported coverage

Florida holds primaries for governor and Congress

Same-day statewide overview of the governor, U.S. Senate and congressional primary contests, including the principal candidates and the stakes for November.

Byron DonaldsJay CollinsJames FishbackDavid JollyAshley MoodyAngie NixonAlex Vindman
Reported coverage

AP Decision Notes: what to expect in Florida's state primary

A pre-election guide to the races, reporting sequence and conditions AP uses before declaring winners. It is context, not an official result.

Byron DonaldsJay CollinsDavid JollyDayna Marie FosterDotie Joseph

Upcoming election dates

Official Polk County election records; confirm dates with the linked source.

2 election records
Official election record

2026 Primary Election

Election day
Registration deadline
July 20, 2026
Vote-by-mail request deadline
August 6, 2026 at 5:00 PM EDT
Early voting
2026-08-08 through 2026-08-15, 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Polk County Supervisor of Elections (opens in a new tab) audited 2026-07-30

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Narrow the record

Race finder and coverage

Race and coverage filters

Filters change this local view only; source data and ordering remain unchanged.

Platform coverage

15 candidates shown

7races
15official candidate records
2candidate statements verified to a source
13platform coverage gaps
4filed finance aggregates
04

Source-linked candidate information

Reviewed race records

Official election record

Polk County Commissioner · 2

Official universal primary contest · Election date August 18, 2026

Polk County Supervisor of Elections 2026 Primary Compilation Ballot (opens in a new tab) 2026-07-01
Polk County Commissioner · 2

Kelly Quinn

Party: REP Official record

Official election record (opens in a new tab) 2026-07-01

View statement and finance Candidate statement · Finance available
Candidate statement

Candidate statement coverage

  • Responsible growth and infrastructure accountability
  • Water, aquifer and natural-resource protection
  • Rural lands and communities
  • Transparent, citizen-centered decisions
  • Affordability and growth paying for growth

Attributed campaign material; not independently verified by Gabby.

Kelly Quinn official campaign website (opens in a new tab) audited 2026-07-30

Filed finance aggregate

Campaign finance

Filed contributions
$9,025.00
In-kind
$0.00
Expenditures
$3,858.76
Report / filed
P3 · July 17, 2026
Period through
July 10, 2026

Sum of filed report-period totals through P3; aggregates only. No individual donor rows are displayed.

Polk County Supervisor of Elections candidate campaign-finance report (opens in a new tab)

Polk County Commissioner · 2

Rick Wilson

Verified officeholder (opens in a new tab)
Party: REP Incumbent Official record

Official election record (opens in a new tab) 2026-07-01

View statement and finance Not yet verified · Finance available
Not yet verified

Candidate statement coverage

No official campaign website or clearly candidate-authored platform source was verified in this audit.

Coverage checked audited 2026-07-30
Filed finance aggregate

Campaign finance

Filed contributions
$50,751.45
In-kind
$0.00
Expenditures
$7,744.92
Report / filed
P2 · July 3, 2026
Period through
June 26, 2026

Sum of filed report-period totals through P2; aggregates only. No individual donor rows are displayed.

Polk County Supervisor of Elections candidate campaign-finance report (opens in a new tab)

Official election record

Polk County Commissioner · 4

Candidate filings confirmed; official general-election ballot compilation pending · Election date November 3, 2026

Polk County Supervisor of Elections candidate campaign-finance records (opens in a new tab) audited 2026-07-30
Polk County Commissioner · 4

Elisha Gresham

Official record

Official election record (opens in a new tab) audited 2026-07-30

View statement and finance Not yet verified · Finance available
Not yet verified

Candidate statement coverage

No official campaign website or clearly candidate-authored platform source was verified in this audit.

Coverage checked audited 2026-07-30
Filed finance aggregate

Campaign finance

Filed contributions
$431.00
In-kind
$0.00
Expenditures
$412.89
Report / filed
P2 · July 3, 2026
Period through
June 26, 2026

Sum of filed report-period totals through P2; aggregates only. No individual donor rows are displayed.

Polk County Supervisor of Elections candidate campaign-finance report (opens in a new tab)

Polk County Commissioner · 4

Omar Arroyo

Official record

Official election record (opens in a new tab) audited 2026-07-30

View statement and finance Candidate statement · Finance available
Candidate statement

Candidate statement coverage

  • Safer communities
  • Economic opportunity and community resources
  • Lower taxes
  • Healthcare and education
  • Support for law enforcement and veterans
  • Affordable housing, equal rights and infrastructure

Attributed campaign material; not independently verified by Gabby.

Omar Arroyo official campaign website (opens in a new tab) audited 2026-07-30

Filed finance aggregate

Campaign finance

Filed contributions
$123,620.00
In-kind
$660.00
Expenditures
$22,230.40
Report / filed
P2 · July 3, 2026
Period through
June 26, 2026

Sum of filed report-period totals through P2; aggregates only. No individual donor rows are displayed.

Polk County Supervisor of Elections candidate campaign-finance report (opens in a new tab)

Official election record

Polk County School Board · 3

Official primary ballot · Election date August 18, 2026

Polk County Supervisor of Elections 2026 Primary Compilation Ballot (opens in a new tab) 2026-07-01
Polk County School Board · 3

Kate Wallace

Verified officeholder (opens in a new tab)
Incumbent Official record

Official election record (opens in a new tab) 2026-07-01

View statement and finance Not yet verified · No finance aggregate
Not yet verified

Candidate statement coverage

Official campaign material review remains manual.

Coverage checked 2026-07-30
Finance not included

Campaign finance

No validated aggregate finance record is included in this collector snapshot.

Polk County School Board · 3

Sarah Corona

Official record

Official election record (opens in a new tab) 2026-07-01

View statement and finance Not yet verified · No finance aggregate
Not yet verified

Candidate statement coverage

Official campaign material review remains manual.

Coverage checked 2026-07-30
Finance not included

Campaign finance

No validated aggregate finance record is included in this collector snapshot.

Polk County School Board · 3

Victor Sims

Official record

Official election record (opens in a new tab) 2026-07-01

View statement and finance Not yet verified · No finance aggregate
Not yet verified

Candidate statement coverage

Official campaign material review remains manual.

Coverage checked 2026-07-30
Finance not included

Campaign finance

No validated aggregate finance record is included in this collector snapshot.

Official election record

Polk County School Board · 5

Official primary ballot · Election date August 18, 2026

Polk County Supervisor of Elections 2026 Primary Compilation Ballot (opens in a new tab) 2026-07-01
Polk County School Board · 5

Kay Fields

Verified officeholder (opens in a new tab)
Incumbent Official record

Official election record (opens in a new tab) 2026-07-01

View statement and finance Not yet verified · No finance aggregate
Not yet verified

Candidate statement coverage

Official campaign material review remains manual.

Coverage checked 2026-07-30
Finance not included

Campaign finance

No validated aggregate finance record is included in this collector snapshot.

Polk County School Board · 5

Sam Neelam

Official record

Official election record (opens in a new tab) 2026-07-01

View statement and finance Not yet verified · No finance aggregate
Not yet verified

Candidate statement coverage

Official campaign material review remains manual.

Coverage checked 2026-07-30
Finance not included

Campaign finance

No validated aggregate finance record is included in this collector snapshot.

Official election record

Polk County School Board · 6

Official primary ballot · Election date August 18, 2026

Polk County Supervisor of Elections 2026 Primary Compilation Ballot (opens in a new tab) 2026-07-01
Polk County School Board · 6

Justin Sharpless

Verified officeholder (opens in a new tab)
Incumbent Official record

Official election record (opens in a new tab) 2026-07-01

View statement and finance Not yet verified · No finance aggregate
Not yet verified

Candidate statement coverage

Official campaign material review remains manual.

Coverage checked 2026-07-30
Finance not included

Campaign finance

No validated aggregate finance record is included in this collector snapshot.

Polk County School Board · 6

Kasen Chase Hampton

Official record

Official election record (opens in a new tab) 2026-07-01

View statement and finance Not yet verified · No finance aggregate
Not yet verified

Candidate statement coverage

Official campaign material review remains manual.

Coverage checked 2026-07-30
Finance not included

Campaign finance

No validated aggregate finance record is included in this collector snapshot.

Official election record

Circuit Judge, 10th Judicial Circuit · Group 23

Official primary ballot; countywide Polk contest · Election date August 18, 2026

Polk County Supervisor of Elections 2026 Primary Compilation Ballot (opens in a new tab) 2026-07-01
Circuit Judge, 10th Judicial Circuit · Group 23

Chris P. Spath

Official record

Official election record (opens in a new tab) 2026-07-01

View statement and finance Not yet verified · No finance aggregate
Not yet verified

Candidate statement coverage

Official campaign material review remains manual.

Coverage checked 2026-07-30
Finance not included

Campaign finance

No validated aggregate finance record is included in this collector snapshot.

Circuit Judge, 10th Judicial Circuit · Group 23

Lakeisha Latoya Babers

Official record

Official election record (opens in a new tab) 2026-07-01

View statement and finance Not yet verified · No finance aggregate
Not yet verified

Candidate statement coverage

Official campaign material review remains manual.

Coverage checked 2026-07-30
Finance not included

Campaign finance

No validated aggregate finance record is included in this collector snapshot.

Official election record

Circuit Judge, 10th Judicial Circuit · Group 24

Official primary ballot; countywide Polk contest · Election date August 18, 2026

Polk County Supervisor of Elections 2026 Primary Compilation Ballot (opens in a new tab) 2026-07-01
Circuit Judge, 10th Judicial Circuit · Group 24

Andrea DeMichael

Official record

Official election record (opens in a new tab) 2026-07-01

View statement and finance Not yet verified · No finance aggregate
Not yet verified

Candidate statement coverage

Official campaign material review remains manual.

Coverage checked 2026-07-30
Finance not included

Campaign finance

No validated aggregate finance record is included in this collector snapshot.

Circuit Judge, 10th Judicial Circuit · Group 24

Candice Dixon

Official record

Official election record (opens in a new tab) 2026-07-01

View statement and finance Not yet verified · No finance aggregate
Not yet verified

Candidate statement coverage

Official campaign material review remains manual.

Coverage checked 2026-07-30
Finance not included

Campaign finance

No validated aggregate finance record is included in this collector snapshot.

Commission Watch reference

Terms & acronyms

Plain-language definitions for Polk County budgets, meetings, public records, and purchasing.

26 terms

Budget and revenue

All-funds budget

The combined spending plan across the County’s governmental, enterprise, special-revenue, capital, debt-service, and other funds. It is not one flexible account, and much of it cannot be redirected to ordinary operations.

General Fund

The County’s principal operating fund for services that are not required to be accounted for in a separate fund. Even here, legal obligations and adopted policy constrain many choices.

Millage

A property-tax rate expressed in mills. One mill equals $1 of tax for each $1,000 of taxable value. The final bill also depends on assessed value and exemptions.

Rolled-back rate

The calculated millage rate that would generally produce the same property-tax revenue as the prior year, excluding specified adjustments such as new construction. A rate above it is a tax increase under Florida’s public-notice framework even when the nominal millage rate falls.

MSTU / MSBU

An MSTU is a Municipal Service Taxing Unit funded through property taxes for a defined service area. An MSBU is a Municipal Service Benefit Unit, commonly funded through assessments tied to a particular service or benefit.

Special assessment

A charge imposed for a specific service or benefit, such as fire protection or solid waste. It is distinct from ad valorem property tax and must have a legally supportable relationship to the service or benefit.

Reserves / contingencies

Money set aside for emergencies, uncertainty, cash-flow needs, or specific future obligations. Reserves can bridge a temporary gap, but using them does not permanently replace lost recurring revenue.

Fund balance forward

Resources carried from a prior fiscal year into the new budget. It may include restricted, committed, assigned, or unassigned amounts and should not automatically be treated as recurring revenue.

Recurring vs. nonrecurring

Recurring revenue and expense are expected to continue year after year. Nonrecurring resources, such as a one-time balance or asset sale, can cover a temporary need but create risk when used for ongoing costs.

CIP

Polk County’s Community Investment Program: the multi-year plan for major facilities, infrastructure, equipment, and other capital projects. Later-year amounts are plans and projections, not proof that every project has been contracted or completed.

Surtax

An additional local sales tax authorized for defined purposes and, depending on the authority used, often subject to voter approval, duration, distribution, and eligible-use requirements.

Fiscal year (FY)

The 12-month accounting period used for the budget. Polk County labels budgets by fiscal year rather than the calendar year; always check the exact dates and whether a figure is adopted, proposed, or projected.

Meetings and decisions

BOCC

Board of County Commissioners, the elected five-member governing body for Polk County government. BOCC figures do not automatically include cities, the School Board, or every special district in Polk County.

Agenda

The published list of matters scheduled for a meeting. An agenda shows what may be considered; it does not prove that an item was approved, denied, amended, or even heard.

Motion and second

A motion formally proposes Board action. A second allows the proposal to proceed to discussion or vote; neither act alone establishes approval.

Minutes

The County’s written record of a meeting and its actions. Gabby labels results provisional while minutes are draft and treats them as final only after the County publishes final minutes.

Ordinance

A local law adopted by the Board through the legally required process. Ordinances generally have continuing effect and may amend the County Code.

Resolution

A formal expression or action of the Board, often used for administrative, policy, fee, assessment, or special-purpose decisions. Its legal effect depends on the authority and text.

Public hearing

A formally noticed opportunity for public testimony before specified government action. Requirements vary by the type of budget, ordinance, land-use, assessment, or other decision.

Quorum

The minimum number of members who must be present for the Board to conduct official business.

Programs and purchasing

Federal Poverty Level (FPL)

Federal Poverty Level, a federal income guideline used by many assistance programs. Eligibility may be expressed as a percentage of the guideline and can include additional program rules.

Procurement solicitation

A public request for vendors to offer goods, services, construction, qualifications, or pricing under stated requirements. A solicitation is an opportunity—not an awarded contract.

ITB

Invitation to Bid, commonly used when requirements are well defined and award is primarily based on responsive, responsible pricing under the solicitation rules.

RFP

Request for Proposals, used when the County evaluates approach, qualifications, price, and other stated factors rather than price alone.

RFQ

Request for Qualifications. Context matters: agencies sometimes use similar initials for a request for quotations, so the official solicitation title and documents control.
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