Fort Walton Beach City Council voted 5-2 on Oct. 14 to advance a referendum that would move city elections from March of odd years to November of even years, aligning with statewide general elections.
- The proposed charter amendment would establish the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November of each general election year as the date for mayor and city council races. The ordinance will come back for first and second readings before the ballot question can appear before voters in March 2026.
Councilman David Schmidt, who made the motion to advance the proposal, said candidates would need to work harder under the new system.
“If the election were to change to November, you gotta go out there and really work even harder to get out to cover 30 to 40% of the voters,” Schmidt said. “Right now you gotta get out to about 10% of the voters.”
Schmidt argued that current low turnout creates voter fatigue. “I think a real voter fatigue is after they go through an exhausting nationwide campaign and turn around and they see a whole bunch more signs in January and February that have to do with another election that historically our record has been like 11% voter turnout,” he said.
Former councilman Kirby Locklear warned about voter drop-off on longer ballots. He recalled when Okaloosa County Supervisor of Elections Paul Lux previously discussed the issue with council.
- “One of the things he did say was that, if it happens in November, and it could be one of those ballots where there’s a lot of things going on the ballot, our stuff is gonna be at the end of that ballot,” Locklear said. “And he called it what ‘voter fall off,’ where voters will get halfway through the ballot, and say, I’m done.”
Councilman Logan Browning opposed the measure, citing concerns about the city’s ability to conduct elections if the county supervisor of elections declines to assist with future special elections.
City Attorney Jeff Burns said that while Lux has stated he’s no longer required to handle special elections, “He’s a very reasonable person” and would likely still provide assistance. Burns added that if Lux didn’t help, City Clerk Kim Barnes and her staff would need training to handle elections.
Councilman Ben Merrell also voted against the proposal, saying he valued engaged voters. “There’s a reason the voter turnout’s 11% – it’s because government is boring and it’s hard to keep track of everything that’s going on and it takes effort to be engaged,” Merrell said. “ I hope they come out and vote, but to drown out in those big national elections, I think that hurts us as a city.”
Councilwoman Debi Riley said she initially wanted November elections to increase turnout but had reservations about voter drop-off. Ultimately, she supported letting voters decide.
- “Democracy is for the people, by the people, of the people,” Riley said. “And so if that is the case, and we truly believe that and have faith that democracy [will] really work for us…then I don’t have a problem with it. Let the people vote.”
Under the proposal, seats one through four, elected in 2023, would next appear on the ballot Nov. 3, 2026, with terms beginning April 1, 2027. Seats five through seven and the mayor’s office, elected in 2025, would be on the Nov. 7, 2028 ballot, with terms starting April 1, 2029.
Next steps: On Oct. 28, the proposed ordinance language will be brought back to council for approval. First reading will be at the Nov. 18 meeting, followed by second reading on Dec. 16.
The change would require approval by a majority of voters to take effect.
