Council approves first reading to let election calendar be set annually with supervisor of elections

Maitland City Council approved the first reading of Ordinance No. 1447 to amend charter provisions on runoff election dates and candidate qualifying periods so the city will set those deadlines annually by resolution, in coordination with the Orange County Supervisor of Elections. Staff said the change responds to recent, frequent changes to Florida election law and timing conflicts identified by the supervisor of elections for the March 2026 municipal election. City Clerk Lori Galvin (identified in staff remarks) told the council that language in the charter with fixed hard dates and timelines had created potential conflicts with Florida election code deadlines after legislative changes. She said chapters 97 through 106 of the Florida election code govern municipal elections and that statutes including section 100.3605 and chapter 166 provide authority to amend charter language where conflicts exist. Her recommendation was to remove specific fixed days from the charter language and adopt a process where the city council establishes qualifying and runoff schedules annually by resolution, and staff publishes the adopted schedule in candidate handbooks. Council members discussed the practical effects for candidates, including time available to open campaign accounts and prepare filings; one councilmember urged future charter review commissions to consider county processes and logistics. The ordinance passed first reading during the meeting; council moved and seconded the first‑reading motion and passed it by roll call. Final adoption will follow the city's ordinance process.