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GAINESVILLE (ALACHUA COUNTY) · LOCALlocal legislationAdopted

Local Impact

Changes to Gainesville City Election Rules

Original title: Ordinance Amending Chapter 9 Related to Elections (B) Ordinance No. 210595 An ordinance of the City of Gainesville, Florida, amending Chapter 9 of the Code of Ordinances related to elections to conform to the charter amendments approved by voters on November 6, 2018; revising Chapter 9 to align the city election with the statewide primary election and the runoff election to coincide with the statewide general election; revising section 9-11 by changing the campaign contribution limit from $250 to the limit set by statute; revising section 9-14 by providing that the county canvassing board will be used for the city election that coincides with the statewide primary election; updating section 9-14 to provide for vote-by-mail ballots instead of absentee ballots; providing directions to the codifier; providing a severability clause; providing a repealing clause; and providing an immediate effective date.

Record date · January 20, 2022

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What This Bill Does

This ordinance updates Gainesville's election rules to match voter-approved charter changes from 2018. It shifts city election dates to align with statewide elections, updates campaign contribution limits, and adopts new terminology for mail-in voting.

Why it matters

This ordinance changes when Gainesville residents vote, how much they can donate to local candidates, and how mail-in ballots are processed, effective immediately.

Who It Affects

Groups the bill's text affects, as described in the record. Being affected is not a position for or against it.

Directly affected

Gainesville voters

Voters will participate in city elections on different dates to align with statewide election cycles.

Directly affected

Local political candidates

Candidates must adhere to state-mandated campaign contribution limits rather than the previous $250 city limit.

Key Facts

City elections are now aligned with statewide primary elections, and runoff elections are aligned with statewide general elections.
Campaign contribution limits are changed from a fixed $250 to the limit established by state statute.
The county canvassing board will now oversee city elections that coincide with the statewide primary.
Terminology for 'absentee ballots' is updated to 'vote-by-mail ballots' in the city code.

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The ordinance includes a severability clause, ensuring the rest of the law remains valid if one part is found unconstitutional.
The ordinance includes a repealing clause to remove conflicting prior regulations.
The ordinance takes effect immediately upon adoption.

Frequently Asked Questions

When will city elections be held now?

City elections will now coincide with the statewide primary election, and runoffs will coincide with the statewide general election.

How much can I donate to a city candidate?

The limit is no longer fixed at $250; it is now set to the limit defined by state statute.

What is the difference between an absentee ballot and a vote-by-mail ballot?

The ordinance updates the terminology in the city code to use 'vote-by-mail' instead of 'absentee,' but the function remains the same.

What else do you want to know?

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Full breakdown

Who this bill affects and the strongest case for and against it, written only from the bill’s own text.

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