Maitland amends charter sections to align candidate qualifying and runoff dates with supervisor of elections

The Maitland City Council on July 28, 2025, adopted Ordinance 1447 amending city charter sections that set the runoff election date and candidate qualifying dates so they align with the dates established each year by the Orange County Supervisor of Elections.

City Manager Mark told the council the ordinance cleans up the charter so the city’s qualifying and runoff schedules will be consistent with changing state and county election deadlines. "This ordinance cleans that up, requires us to coordinate each year with those qualifying dates, with the supervisor of elections," Mark said.

Council discussion focused on the practical effects for candidates. Council member French said the change "provides longer periods of time for people running for office to go out and fundraise and get all their ... signs done" and recalled the prior short qualifying window that fell near holidays. Mark and other council members noted the change may push qualifying into the fourth quarter, which could require "one additional financial report" for candidates because of calendar reporting periods. Staff also reminded the council that sign placement remains governed by the city's 60-day rule for when signs may be displayed.

No members of the public spoke during the public comment period for this item. A council member moved adoption on second reading; the motion passed on roll call vote.

The ordinance amends the charter sections identified in the ordinance reading and provides severability and conflict clauses. Staff said the council will adopt a resolution each year establishing the specific qualifying dates in coordination with the supervisor of elections.

The council did not direct further changes during the July 28 meeting.