Fort Pierce to hold special election after commissioner resignation; resolution set for Aug. 4

The City of Fort Pierce will hold a special election to fill the District 2 commission seat after Commissioner James Taylor resigned, city officials said at a special meeting Monday, July 28.

City Attorney Miss Hedges told the commission that the city charter requires a special election because the vacancy was created more than six months before the next general election: "So upon his resignation the Charter says that when there are more than 6 months between a vacancy being created ... we are required to have a special election." Gertrude Walker, the Supervisor of Elections, and city staff presented the timeline and logistics the state must certify under Florida Statute 100.141.

The timeline presented calls for a petition-qualification deadline of Aug. 12; qualifying for candidates Aug. 18 (noon) through Aug. 22 (noon); a special primary election on Nov. 4; and, if no candidate wins a majority, a runoff on Jan. 20, 2026. Early voting was described as optional for the city but, if offered, would run Oct. 25–Nov. 1; the deadline to request a vote-by-mail ballot was listed as Oct. 23. Walker said city staff estimated the special election would cost about $60,000.

The city clerk and elections staff emphasized eligibility limits: only residents of District 2 may vote in the special election, and candidates must have lived in the district for two years to qualify. The presenters also said write-in candidates are not permitted in special elections under the process described.

Commissioners discussed whether to reduce polling places or eliminate early voting to lower cost. Several commissioners urged keeping the process as close to a regular election as possible so voters would have the same access: Commissioner Gaines summarized that position simply, "Let people vote." At the same time, Commissioners Broderick and others asked staff to review precinct turnout and whether a modest consolidation of polling places would be feasible for this single-district special election to limit expense.

On funding, the commission had no specific appropriation ready. The city manager and finance staff were asked to identify funding sources; one option mentioned for consideration was using the city's emergency retainage across fiscal years so the expense would not be borne wholly in a single budget year. The clerk said staff will present a formal resolution at the commission's regular meeting on Aug. 4 that will declare the special election and set the official dates; that resolution is required before the supervisor of elections submits the schedule to the state for certification.

Members of the public asked about the cost and representation. Mario Wilcox asked why taxpayers outside District 2 should help fund the election, saying, "Why is District 1 tax dollars funding a campaign in which we're not gonna have any say so in?" Commissioners and the mayor responded that while commissioners represent districts, they also make decisions for the whole city and pledged outreach and assistance to residents in District 2 while the seat is vacant.

No vote was taken at the July 28 meeting. The next formal action will be the Aug. 4 resolution to set the special election; staff said the dates given Monday will hold barring unforeseen circumstances and that the supervisor of elections will transmit the certified schedule to the state consistent with Florida law.