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Pinellas Park council approves ordinance moving March 2026 election to second Tuesday
Summary
The City Council unanimously adopted Ordinance No. 2025-29 to change the municipal election date from the first to the second Tuesday in March 2026, adjust the qualifying period, and set the new date council members take office.
Pinellas Park City Council on Oct. 9 unanimously passed Ordinance No. 2025-29 to move the city general election from the first Tuesday in March to the second Tuesday in March 2026 and to revise related qualifying and swearing-in dates.
City Clerk Jennifer said the election would be held on March 10, 2026, and that the qualifying period will begin Oct. 20, 2025, at 8 a.m. and end Nov. 3, 2025, at 1 p.m. She also said newly elected council members would take office on Thursday, March 26, 2026, following certification.
The ordinance applies to the mayor and council member seats 1 and 2. Jennifer told the council the change was made “to align with the Supervisor of Elections office.” Council members asked for clarification about whether the change was required by the city charter; Jennifer replied the charter sets the election for the first Tuesday in March but the city “piggybacks” on the supervisor’s schedule.
Council member Butler moved approval on second and final reading; the motion carried unanimously.
Why it matters: changing the election date affects candidates’ qualifying calendar, the certification schedule and when newly elected officials assume office. Council members said the shift will avoid additional cost to the city by conforming to the supervisor of elections’ calendar.
The ordinance takes effect as provided in the text of the ordinance.
