2026 City Election Information

Proclamation calling for a City General Election to be held on November 3, 2026 to elect three City Council Members, issued by the Mayor on June 16, 2026: 

• ​Notice of Proclamation English 
• Notice of Proclamation Spanish 

CITY QUALIFYING FOR 2026 IS CLOSED

As noticed and provided in the Proclamation Calling for an Election to be held, the period to qualify to run for one
of the three City Council seats up for re-election was from Noon, August 3, 2026 through Noon, August 7, 2026. 

The three City Council incumbents who were up for re-election in the November 3, 2026, General City Election are the 
only individuals to qualify to run for office. These unopposed Candidates are therefore elected into office: Bob 
Jarriel, David R. McAuley, and Dowling R. Watford, Jr. An Investiture Ceremony will be held on or before January 4,
2027, to administer the oath of office. Notices will be posted and the public is invited to attend this event.

As the Chief Elections Officer and Filing Officer for City Elections, all City Candidate documents must be filed with the City Clerk.

2026 Campaign Treasurer Reports:

CLICK HERE to access Easy Campaign Finance to file Campaign Treasurer Reports.

Campaign Treasurer Report Due Dates and Period Covered 

REVISED Campaign Treasurer Report Due Dates and Period Covered for Unopposed 2026 Candidates

2026 CITY VOTER IMPORTANT DATES

City Voters: even though there will not be a City Council race on the November 2026 ballot, there are many important offices and issues for you to make decisions on by casting your Vote!  

• October 5, 2026, is the last day to register to be able to vote in the November 3, 2026, General Election. Complete the online application or contact the Okeechobee County Supervisor of Elections Office.
• Early Voting: October 24, through 31, 2026, 8:30 AM to 6:00 PM daily, including weekends at the Supervisor of Elections Office.
• Election Day: November 3, 2026, 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM, vote at the City Precinct No. 06, First Baptist Church, 401 SW 4th Street, Okeechobee, FL 34974. 
• Vote-By-Mail: from now through October 22, 2026, you can submit a request to the Supervisor of Elections Office for a ballot to be mailed to you, or you can request one in person at their Office.

NEXT CITY GENERAL ELECTION * 2028 * INFORMATION

Qualifications to Run for City Council: must have been a qualified elector (registered voter) and resident of the City of Okeechobee for one (1) year preceding the date of qualifying. 

How to Become a Candidate: to qualify to run for City Council, the following documents must be filed with the City Clerk no later than the end of the qualifying period: Noon, Friday, August 11, 2028:

City residents wishing to run for City Council in 2028 may "pre-file" anytime before the official qualifying period to be held from Noon, Monday, August 7 through Noon, Friday, August 11. Call the City Clerk's Office to schedule an
appointment, bring your Voters Registration Card and file Forms DS-DE 9, DS-DE 84, and Residency Oath.

1. Form DS-DE 9 Appointment of Campaign Treasurer and Designation of Campaign Depository.

• opening the campaign account;
• accepting any contributions, making expenditures or authorizing another to accept contributions/make expenditures;
• obtaining signatures on a Candidate Petition.

2. Form DS-DE 84 Statement of Candidate.
3. Form DS-DE 302NP Candidate Oath for Non-Partisan Office.
4. Provide a receipt that a Financial Disclosure Form 1 has been filed with the State Ethics Commission through the Electronic Financial Disclosure Management System. Instructions are provided by the City Clerk's Office.
5. Residency Oath Form.
6. Bring your Voters Registration Card for proof of residency and registered voter.
7. Pay Qualifying Fee (must be paid by check from campaign account).

Publications for Candidates and Treasurers (most recent available publications):

Contact Information