Early voting in the 2024 general election is about to start and Winter Park Library will be accommodating the community with an expanded schedule. Voting will take place daily from 8 a.m.-8 p.m., October 21-November 3, in the second-floor Community Imagination Room. Per the Orange County Supervisor of Elections, staff cannot provide wait times during early voting, and photo and signature identification are required. Library Director of Community Engagement Jody Lazar told the32789 that the parking issues, often resulting result from overlapping Library and Events Center events, are not expected.
“Voters typically make short visits, and the Events Center next door has limited, smaller events scheduled,” she said. “That said, as one of the busier voting sites in the county, there may be occasional challenges with parking, particularly on weekends and in the final days of early voting. With 14 voting days and 12 hours of voting each day, we believe most voters will be able to find convenient parking throughout the process.”
Check the early voting page on the Orange County Supervisor of Elections website for more information.
Spotlights have been trained for months on the presidential race, federal candidates, and state amendments, but the protracted race for the Orange County Commission District 5 seat will also be decided.
Four candidates were on the August 20 primary election ballot but neither received the 50% plus one majority required to declare victory. The final two candidates – local educator Kelly Semrad, who received 41% of the vote, and former Winter Park Mayor Steve Leary, who received 31.7% of the vote – will now square off.
Leary was elected to Winter Park City Commission in 2011 and served as mayor between 2015-2021. Among his campaign priorities are the protection of rural boundaries, increasing access to affordable housing, and infrastructure and transportation improvements. His endorsements include several current and former elected officials including Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer, former congressman John Mica, current Winter Park Commissioner Craig Russell and former commissioner Sarah Sprinkle. The Central Florida Hotel & Lodging Association, Orlando Regional Realtor Association, and the Central Florida Hotel & Lodging Association are also among the listed supporters.
Semrad is an associate professor at the UCF Rosen College of Hospitality Management and served as District 5 Neighborhood Advisory Council co-chair and as vice-chair of Save Orange County, Inc. Priorities include investing in urban redevelopment, affordable housing, the protection of natural resources and defending the rural boundary. She also supports using the tourism tax to improve infrastructure and to address the affordable housing crisis. Her list of endorsements also features elected officials ranging from FL House District 42 Representative Anna Eskamani and City of Orlando Commissioner Patty Sheehan to former Winter Park Mayor Phil Anderson and current Winter Park City Commissioner Todd Weaver. She is also endorsed by organizations including Central Florida AFL-CIO, Orange County Local 2057 International Assoc. of Fire Fighters, and the Save Split Oak Forest Campaign.
Sample ballots with the complete list of candidates and amendments, and additional voting information can be accessed on the Orange County Supervisor of Elections website.