Elections
Candidate/Campaign Treasurer Resources:
For the Florida Election Code (Chapter 97-106, Florida Statutes) click here
For the Candidate & Campaign Treasurer Handbook click here
For the Lakeland Candidate Handbook click here
The qualifying period has closed. A list of all candidates who have qualified and are running for office is available on the Candidates Page.
The following candidates have been elected unopposed, having no opposition at the close of qualifying:
Terry G. Coney - District B, Northeast
Stephanie Madden - At Large 1
Vote by mail ballot request deadline: Thursday, Oct. 23
Walk-in voting at the Election Ops Center (70 Florida Citrus Blvd) and Bartow Headquarters (250 Broadway Ave S), & Polk County Government Center (930 E. Parker St.): Monday, Oct. 27-Friday, Oct. 31, 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
Walk-in voting at the Election Ops Center (70 Florida Citrus Blvd) and Bartow Headquarters (250 Broadway Ave S): Monday, Nov. 4, 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
NOTICE OF MUNICIPAL ELECTION
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the LAKELAND MUNICIPAL ELECTION will be held on TUESDAY, NOVEMER 4, 2025 between the hours of 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. for all qualified electors residing within the Lakeland City Limits. If necessary, a Run-Off election will be held on December 2, 2025.
Contact the Supervisor of Elections at (863)534-5888 to request a vote by mail ballot.
At said election, qualified voters will decide on the following:
- Mayor
- Commissioner – District C Southwest
- Commissioner – District D Southeast
- Three Charter Amendments. To read the referendum questions, click here.
The successful candidates will take office the first meeting in January 2026. Candidates must be city residents and shall sign up by filing the appropriate paperwork with the City Clerk at City Hall, in accordance with applicable law. Forms are available immediately. Please call (863)834-6210 for an appointment. Additional information is available at www.lakelandgov.net. Look for Elections & Voting under the City Government tab.
Kelly S. Koos, MMC
City Clerk
City of Lakeland
AVISO DE ELECCIÓN MUNICIPAL
POR LA PRESENTE SE NOTIFICA que la ELECCIÓN MUNICIPAL DE LAKELAND se llevará a cabo el MARTES 4 DE NOVIEMBRE DE 2025, entre las 7 de la mañana y 7 de la noche, para todos los electores calificados que residen dentro de los límites de la ciudad de Lakeland. Si fuese necesario celebrar una elección de desempate o de segunda vuelta, ésta se llevará a cabo el 2 de diciembre de 2025.
Si desea solicitar una boleta de voto en ausencia, comuníquese con la Oficina de la Supervisora de Elecciones al teléfono (863) 534-5888.
En dicha elección, los votantes calificados decidirán lo siguiente:
- El Alcalde
- Comisionado - Distrito C Suroeste
- Comisionado - Distrito D Sureste
- Tres enmiendas al estatuto. Para leer las preguntas del referéndum, haz clic aquí.
Los candidatos que resulten electos asumirán sus cargos en la primera reunión de enero de 2026. Los candidatos deben ser residentes de la ciudad y deberán inscribirse presentando la documentación correspondiente ante la Secretaria de la Ciudad en el Ayuntamiento, de acuerdo con la ley aplicable. Los formularios están disponibles de inmediato. Para programar una cita, llame al teléfono (863) 834-6210. Información adicional está disponible en el sitio web, www.lakelandgov.net. Busque la sección Elecciones y Votación bajo la pestaña Gobierno de la Ciudad.
Kelly S. Koos, MMC
Secretaria de la ciudad
Ciudad de Lakeland
NOTICE OF CANVASSING BOARD MEETINGS
2025 LAKELAND MUNICIPAL ELECTION
Notice is hereby given that the City of Lakeland Canvassing Board will include Mayor Bill Mutz and Commissioners Chad McLeod, Guy LaLonde and Stephanie Madden. City Attorney Palmer Davis and City Manager Shawn Sherrouse shall serve as alternates, if necessary. The Canvassing Board will convene at the following times and locations:
October 31, 2025 at 8:15 a.m. in the City Commission Conference Room at Lakeland City Hall, 228 S Massachusetts Av, Lakeland FL 33801. The purpose of this meeting is to authorize the City Clerk to begin processing Vote By Mail ballots.
November 4, 2025 at 8:15 a.m. in the City Commission Conference Room at Lakeland City Hall, 228 S Massachusetts Av, Lakeland FL 33801. The purpose of this meeting is to authorize the City Clerk to begin processing Vote By Mail ballots.
November 4, 2025 at 5:00 p.m. at the Election Operations Center, 70 Florida Citrus Bl., Winter Haven, FL 33880 to canvass Vote By Mail ballots for the 2025 Lakeland Municipal Election.
November 13, 2025 at 9:30 a.m. in the City Commission Chamber at Lakeland City Hall, 228 S Massachusetts Av, Lakeland FL 33801 to conduct the manual audit.
These dates are also posted online under the Commission Calendar at http://www.lakelandgov.net/departments/city-clerk/city-commission-agendas
Anyone deciding to appeal a decision by the Canvassing Board on the above subject matter at these meetings will need a record of the proceedings and for purposes of that appeal, may need to ensure that a verbatim record of the proceedings is made, including the testimony and evidence upon which the appeal is to be made.
In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 286.26, Florida Statute, persons with disabilities needing special accommodation to participate in these proceedings, or those requiring language assistance (free of charge) should contact the City of Lakeland ADA Specialist, Kristin Meador. Because providing a reasonable accommodation may require outside assistance, organizations, or resources, the City asks that any request be made with as much notice as possible, preferably 72 hours, but no later than 48 hours in advance of the event, at: (863) 834-8444, Email: ADASpecialist@lakelandgov.net. If hearing impaired, please contact the TDD numbers: Local – (863) 834-8333 or 1-(800) 955-8771 (TDD – Telecommunications Device for the Deaf) or the Florida Relay Service number: 1-(800) 955-8770 (VOICE), for assistance.
Kelly S. Koos, MMC
City Clerk
NOTICE
CANVASSING BOARD MEETING
AUDIT RACE SELECTION
VOTING SYSTEM AUDIT
2025 LAKELAND MUNICIPAL ELECTION
Notice is hereby given that the City of Lakeland Canvassing Board will include Mayor Bill Mutz and Commissioners Chad McLeod, Guy LaLonde and Stephanie Madden. City Attorney Palmer Davis and City Manager Shawn Sherrouse shall serve as alternates, if necessary. The Canvassing Board will convene at the following times and locations:
November 7, 2025 at 9:30 a.m. in the City Commission Conference Room at Lakeland City Hall, 228 S Massachusetts Av, Lakeland FL 33801. The purpose of this meeting is to review provisional ballots and certify election results. Immediately after certification, the Commission shall conduct the Audit Race Selection where they will randomly select a precinct and then a race for the voting system audit.
November 13, 2025 at 9:30 a.m. in the City Commission Chamber at Lakeland City Hall, 228 S Massachusetts Av, Lakeland FL 33801. The Commission will conduct the Voting System Audit.
These dates are also posted online under the Commission Calendar at http://www.lakelandgov.net/departments/city-clerk/city-commission-agendas
Anyone deciding to appeal a decision by the Canvassing Board on the above subject matter at these meetings will need a record of the proceedings and for purposes of that appeal, may need to ensure that a verbatim record of the proceedings is made, including the testimony and evidence upon which the appeal is to be made.
In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 286.26, Florida Statute, persons with disabilities needing special accommodation to participate in these proceedings, or those requiring language assistance (free of charge) should contact the City of Lakeland ADA Specialist, Kristin Meador. Because providing a reasonable accommodation may require outside assistance, organizations, or resources, the City asks that any request be made with as much notice as possible, preferably 72 hours, but no later than 48 hours in advance of the event, at: (863) 834-8444, Email: ADASpecialist@lakelandgov.net. If hearing impaired, please contact the TDD numbers: Local – (863) 834-8333 or 1-(800) 955-8771 (TDD – Telecommunications Device for the Deaf) or the Florida Relay Service number: 1-(800) 955-8770 (VOICE), for assistance.
Kelly S. Koos, MMC
City Clerk
If you have any questions, please contact Kelly Koos, City Clerk:
Kelly Koos, MMC
City Clerk, City of Lakeland
228 S. Massachusetts Avenue
Lakeland 33801
863.834.6210
cityclerk@lakelandgov.net
For information from the Polk County Supervisor of Elections, visit PolkElections.com, or call the Elections Office at 863.534.5888.