Alachua County residents will have plenty of opportunities to exercise their right to vote this year as the county and all nine of its municipalities hold elections from April through December. 

The local votes will determine various new commissioners, council members and mayors for terms ranging from two to four years.  

Micanopy and La Crosse, towns with less than 700 residents, will not hold elections on Mar. 10 as originally planned, as their incumbents came through the January qualifying period unchallenged. 

Micanopy commissioners Kevin Putansu in Seat 4 and Ken Wessberg in Seat 5 will serve three-year terms. LaCrosse Mayor Dianne Dubberly, who has run unopposed since her first win for the position in 1999, and council members Sheila Dubberly and Kyle Cheshire will hold two-year terms.  

Alachua County’s election on Aug. 18 will see two of the Board of County Commissioners’ seats challenged. Incumbent Commissioner Marihelen Wheeler in District 2 announced she will not run again, as District 4 incumbent Ken Cornell will aim to defend his seat for another four-year term.  

After the qualifying periods have ended, Mainstreet will publish more stories featuring interviews with candidates competing for or defending each seat. 

The following elections are organized chronologically.  

Alachua 

When: Tuesday, Apr. 14, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. 
Where: Legacy Park Multipurpose Center (Precinct 3), Turkey Creek Clubhouse (63), Alachua Library (53) 

City Commission Seat 3, currently held by Commissioner Dayna Williams, will be contested for a new three-year term. The qualifying window for candidates will be open from noon on Feb. 17 to noon on Feb. 24. 

The commission voted this month to install the Alachua Library as a temporary precinct, as the Cleather Hathcock Community Center is closed for structural inspections and pending construction.  

Archer 

When: Tuesday, Apr. 14, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. 
Where: Archer Community Center (Precinct 11) 

City Commission Seats 1 and 4, currently held by commissioners Karen Fiore and Marilyn Green, respectively, will be contested during the upcoming election for four-year terms. The qualifying period will run from noon on Feb. 12 through noon on March 2. 

Newberry 

When: Tuesday, Apr. 14, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. 
Where: St. Joseph’s Episcopal Church (Precinct 41), Mentholee Norfleet Municipal Building (6), Alachua County Agriculture and Equestrian Center (4) 

City Commission Seats 1, 2 and 3, currently held by Rick Coleman, Mark Clark and Monty Farnsworth, respectively, will be contested for new two-year terms. The election qualifying period will run from noon on Feb. 23 through noon on Feb. 26.  

Hawthorne 

When: Tuesday, Jun. 9, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. 
Where: Hawthorne Community Center (Precinct 8) 

City Commission Seats 1, 3, and 5, currently held by Tommie Howard, Mayor Jacquelyn Randall and Raymond Cue, respectively, will be contested for new three-year terms.  

Although the commission has yet to declare an official qualifying period, the city told Mainstreet it will likely be noon on April 13 through noon on April 22. If needed, an election runoff would be held on June 23. 

Gainesville 

When: Tuesday, Aug. 18, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. 
Where: Visit the Supervisor of Elections website for a complete list of Gainesville’s 48 precincts. 

The District 2, 3 and 4 seats, held by commissioners Ed Book, Casey Willits and Bryan Eastman, respectively, will be contested for four-year terms. Incumbent Mayor Harvey Ward will also look to extend his time in office. The qualifying period will stretch from June 8 to June 11, and Nov. 3 is set aside for a runoff race if needed. 

High Springs 

When: Tuesday, Nov. 3, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. 
Where: High Springs Civic Center (Precinct 20) 

City Commission Seat 1 is currently held by Mayor Andrew Miller and will be contested for a new three-year term. The qualifying period has not been declared yet.  

Waldo 

When: Tuesday, Dec. 1, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., first Tuesday, Dec. 15 runoff 
Where: First Baptist Church of Waldo (Precinct 1), Melrose United Methodist Church (14) 

Three City Council seats currently held by Mayor Louie Davis and members Monique Taylor and Glen Johnson will be contested for new two-year terms. The qualifying period will run from Oct. 5 through Oct. 15 at 4 p.m.