2026 City Election Information
A Proclamation was issued on June 16, 2026 Calling for a City Election on November 3, 2026.
The period to Qualfy to run for one of the three City Council seats up for re-election is
from Noon, August 3, 2026 till Noon, August 7, 2026
The City Council Members who are up for re-election are: Dowling R. Watford, Jr., Robert "Bob" Jarriel, and David R. McAuley.
City Council Candidates run at-large, and nonpartisan. For the 2026 Election, the Candidates with the highest number of votes wins the election. Candidates will take office and be sworn-in on January 4, 2027.
As the Chief Elections Officer and Filing Officer for City Elections, all Candidate qualifying documents must be filed with the City Clerk.
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 7, 2026. The documents are provided by the City Clerk, call to schedule an appointment:
- 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.
- Form DS-DE 84 Statement of Candidate.
- Form DS-DE 302NP Candidate Oath for Non-Partisan Office.
- 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.
- Residency Oath Form.
- Bring your Voters Registration Card for proof of residency and registered voter.
- Pay Qualifying Fee $182.00 (after campaign account is opened).
Campaign Treasurer Reports
Click Here to access the Online Portal to EasyVote for Campaign Finance Reports (coming soon)
Campaign Treasurer Report Due Dates and Period Covered
City Voter Important Dates
- 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.
Publications for Candidates and Treasurers
Contact Information
Lane Gamiotea, CMC
City Clerk
(863) 763-9814
lgamiotea@cityofokeechobee.com
