Redistricting, Property Taxes and a Primary Season Heating Up

Florida’s 2026 election season is moving quickly, with new congressional boundaries, major property-tax reform, increasingly competitive primaries and growing debate over election and voter integrity.

Here is a recap of the political developments IRC Media has followed since July 1—and what Florida voters should watch next.

Florida’s Primary Deadline Is Here

Florida’s primary election will be held Tuesday, Aug. 18. The deadline to register to vote or change political-party affiliation is Monday, July 20.

Florida is a closed-primary state, meaning voters generally may only participate in the primary of the party with which they are registered. That rule has become part of a larger political conversation as some voters openly encourage people from opposing parties to change their registration so they can influence Republican primaries.

Changing parties is legal, but the practice has renewed an important distinction: election integrity concerns the security and administration of elections, while voter integrity concerns how individual voters participate in the process.

Vote-by-mail ballots are already being distributed. The deadline to request that a ballot be mailed is Aug. 6, while the mandatory early-voting period runs Aug. 8 through Aug. 15.

Indian River County Enters a New Congressional Race

Florida’s newly adopted congressional map moved Indian River County into the reconfigured Congressional District 9, dramatically changing the county’s representation and making the Republican primary one of the most important local races of the year.

District 9 is currently represented by Democrat Darren Soto. Under the new boundaries, however, the district is expected to be considerably more favorable to Republicans. The map remains the subject of litigation, but the Florida Supreme Court declined to block its use for the 2026 election while the legal challenges continue.

Republican candidates seeking the seat include Thomas Chalifoux, Steve Rance, Marcus Carter, Justin Story and others who qualified for the primary.

IRC Media has begun introducing these candidates directly to local voters through its Congressional Candidate Series on The Board Report. Chalifoux and Rance have already been featured, with additional candidate conversations planned.

The central question is no longer simply which party will hold District 9. Indian River County voters must determine which candidate understands the Treasure Coast and will represent its interests inside a geographically expanded district.

Property-Tax Reform Heads to Florida Voters

Property taxes remain one of the defining issues of Florida’s 2026 election.

Amendment 3—officially titled “Save Our Homes from Excessive Property Taxes”—will appear on the Nov. 3 general-election ballot. If approved by at least 60% of voters, the measure would substantially expand the homestead exemption applied to non-school property taxes.

The exemption would increase from $25,000 to $150,000 in 2027 and then to $250,000 in 2028. The proposal also includes assessment limits and restrictions related to county and municipal property-tax revenue. School property taxes would not be included in the expanded exemption.

Supporters describe the amendment as long-overdue relief for homeowners who have watched property taxes rise alongside home values and local-government spending.

Opponents—including county and municipal organizations—warn that the measure could reduce funding for law enforcement, fire protection, infrastructure and other local services. That disagreement has already surfaced in Indian River County, where the question is increasingly focused on government priorities and who should pay for continued growth.

Whatever position voters take, the amendment could significantly reshape the relationship between Florida homeowners and local government.

Governor’s Race Remains Unsettled

The Republican primary to replace term-limited Gov. Ron DeSantis continues to take shape.

Congressman Byron Donalds remains the best-known candidate and has President Donald Trump’s endorsement. His opponents include Lt. Gov. Jay Collins, Pastor Bobby Williams, former Florida House Speaker Paul Renner, James Fishback and several additional candidates.

DeSantis has not endorsed a candidate. His decision to remain neutral has left Collins and other contenders competing to attract voters who supported the governor’s policies but have not committed to Donalds.

Fishback is also facing a legal challenge over whether he satisfies the Florida Constitution’s seven-year residency requirement for governor. Because primary ballots have already been printed, an adverse ruling could require election officials to notify voters and decline to count ballots cast for him.

The Democratic field includes former Republican congressman David Jolly and Orlando Mayor Jerry Demings.

Campaign Cash Flows Into Florida’s Senate Race

Florida’s special U.S. Senate election is attracting substantial national money.

Democratic candidate Alex Vindman reported raising approximately $8.5 million during the second quarter, bringing his total campaign receipts above $16 million. Republican Sen. Ashley Moody reported raising approximately $3.6 million during the same period.

Vindman must first defeat state Rep. Angie Nixon in the Democratic primary. Moody also faces Republican primary opposition before advancing to November.

Moody was appointed to the Senate following Marco Rubio’s resignation to become secretary of state. The winner in November will complete the final two years of Rubio’s term.

Fundraising alone does not determine an election—particularly in a state where Republicans have built a significant registration advantage—but the numbers indicate that Florida’s Senate contest will receive national attention and considerable outside spending.

Declassified Records Raise Questions About Voter Data

Newly declassified intelligence records state that a Chinese cyber actor downloaded Florida voter-registration information from commercial websites in 2022. Similar information was reportedly obtained from several other states.

The distinction between voter data and election systems is important. The records describe the acquisition of voter-registration information, some of which was publicly available. They do not state that Florida ballots were changed, vote totals were altered or voting systems were compromised.

The actor’s motive was listed as unknown, although another intelligence record discussed the possible use of voter information for identity matching and public-opinion analysis.

The disclosure raises legitimate questions about privacy, foreign intelligence gathering and how publicly available voter information can be used.

Local Elections Deserve Equal Attention

While statewide and congressional races receive the most coverage, Indian River County voters are also deciding contests that will directly affect local taxes, development, education and parental rights.

County Commission candidate Jennifer Pippin has placed property-tax relief, fiscal responsibility and responsible growth at the center of her campaign for District 2.

School Board member Jackie Rosario is seeking reelection against Democrats Endorsed Tom Lange in a race likely to focus on parental involvement, academic priorities, district spending and the future direction of Indian River County schools.

These offices may not attract the same national money or attention as congressional and statewide races, but their decisions often have the most immediate effect on residents.

What Comes Next

The July 20 registration and party-change deadline is the next major milestone. Vote-by-mail activity will continue, early voting begins Aug. 8 and Florida’s primary is Aug. 18.

Between now and then, IRC Media will continue examining the candidates, following campaign money and asking how proposed policies will affect Indian River County and the Treasure Coast.

Florida’s political landscape is changing rapidly. Voters should look beyond campaign advertisements, examine candidate records and understand exactly what will appear on their ballots.

IRC Media uses aggregated public data and verified sources; articles reviewed by editorial team to the best of our ability.