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On the ballot: Tampa Bay communities to vote on 32 election races, measures Nov. 2

TAMPA BAY (WFLA) — November is a big month for Tampa Bay politics and policy, with more than 30 elections happening in five counties, including referendums, mayoral races and city council elections. Voters can expect to weigh in on new tax proposals and funding for development projects, plus some city-level philosophy for how to govern in the future if you’re in St. Petersburg. Even voting districts are on the table in some counties, following the 2020 Census changing up the lay of the political land. U.S. Marshals draw guns on Bradenton mother, baby after knocking on wrong apartment The polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Here’s what you need to know for the Nov. 2 elections. St. Petersburg – Multiple races, multiple policies The City of St. Petersburg has 14 items to vote on in the coming election. The city will have a new mayor, choose five city councilors, and approve or reject seven amendments to the city charter. 8 On Your Side has brought previous coverage of the mayor’s race. Councilors will be up for a vote for St. Petersburg’s Districts 1, 2, 4, 6 and 8. High-rise hotels on Siesta Key? Public can comment on proposals Wednesday On top of the council and mayor’s races and charter votes, St. Pete voters will be deciding whether or not to approve a new limited exception to property taxes, aimed at giving exemptions to new businesses and those that are expanding to create new, full-time jobs. The seven charter amendments for St. Petersburg focus on voting itself, district boundaries, equity, administration, the charter review process and the city’s governing philosophy. Polk County – Fort Meade, Lakeland, Winter Haven There are a few races for city leadership happening across Polk County in November. Lakeland will elect a mayor, while other cities will vote on who sits on their city commissions. Voters will be asked to weigh in on who they want serving on the Lakeland City Commission, while Fort Meade sees a similar set of races, along with Winter Haven’s single commission race. Carnival of evil: ‘Mag Halloween’ display scaring Tampa Heights residents before porch party Voters will decide who the commissioners are for Lakeland’s District C and D, as well as vote on two charter amendments for commissioner elections and canvassing board alternatives. Fort Meade’s city commission will see votes for Seat 1 and Seat 5 at Large, while Winter Haven is just voting on City Commission Seat 5. Manatee County – Bradenton Beach, Holmes Beach, County School Board In Manatee County, Bradenton Beach will pick its mayor, plus vote on a charter amendment about elected terms. On the ballot: St. Petersburg city charter amendments explained Holmes Beach will choose whether or not to approve a land swap that would vacate a portion of 34th Street and allow the city to trade a separate parcel of land so it can turn it into a right of way. The spaces being swapped are each 2,500 square feet. Additionally, five candidates fighting for three city commission seats will be at the mercy of Holmes Beach voters. Across Manatee, voters will choose to vote yes or no for an extension on the current ad valorem tax for the county School Board, extending it form July 1, 2022 to June 30, 2025. Manatee voters will also have to decide whether or not to abolish and dissolve the Trailer Estates Fire Control District, a fire department in Bradenton that was set up in 1963. On the ballot: St. Petersburg to renew or reject business tax exemption The dissolution of the department comes as the board of commissioners works toward merging the service with Cedar Hammock Fire Rescue. Commissioners of TEFCD say they can no longer support the department financially, and that Cedar Hammock has been responding to medical calls already. Highlands County – Avon Park City Council Avon Park voters will pick who sits on three council seats. The Highlands County city has three city council positions open for election, and four candidates. Voters will decide the three councilors. Sarasota County – Venice City Council Venice residents will vote on two city council seats, for seats 3 and 4. Manatee and Sarasota counties – Longboat Key Longboat Key voters in Manatee and Sarasota counties will choose yes or no for allowing a referendum through for housing density. Specifically, a property on Buttonwood Drive would be subject to the vote. Oldsmar family that went 5 months without working fridge finally gets new one from protection plan If residents approve the referendum, the property will be changed to residential use from office-institutional use, and two residential units can be built on the property, according to town officials. Polling locations Avon Park City Hall Council Chambers 123 East Pine St., Avon ParkSt. Petersburg polling locations:Precinct 101 – Pinellas Community Church 5501 31 St S, St. Petersburg, FL 33712Precinct 102 & 106 – Bay Vista Center – 7000 4 St S St. Petersburg, FL 33705Precinct 103 & 104 – Lakewood United Methodist Church 5995 M L King St S St. Petersburg, FL 33705Precinct 105, 109, 112 – Lake Vista Recreation Center 1401 62nd Ave S St. Petersburg, FL 33705Precinct 107 – Pinellas Community Church 5501 31 St S St. Petersburg, FL 33712Precinct 108, 116 – Frank Pierce Recreation Center 2000 7 St. S St Petersburg, FL 33705Precinct 110, 111, 203, 204 – Bethel Metropolitan Baptist Church 3455 26 Ave S St. Petersburg, FL 33711Precinct 113 – Christ Gospel Church 2512 22 Ave S St. Petersburg, FL 33712Precinct 114 – New Hope Baptist Church 2120 19 St S St. Petersburg, FL 33712Precinct 115 – Lakeview Presbyterian Church 1310 22 Ave S St. Petersburg, FL 33705Precinct 117, 119 – Mt. Zion AME Church 1045 16 St S St. Petersburg, FL 33705Precinct 118 – St. Pete Religious Society/Friends 130 19 Ave SE St. Petersburg, FL 33705Precinct 120 – Thomas “Jet” Jackson Recreation Center 1000 28 St S St. Petersburg, FL 33712Precinct 121, 126, 127 – Dwight H. Jones Neighborhood Center 1035 Burlington Ave N St. Petersburg, FL 33705Precinct 122, 123, 125, 129, 130, 135 – Coliseum 535 4th Ave N St. Petersburg, FL 33701Precinct 128, 233 – Gladden Park Recreation Center 3901 30th Ave N St. Petersburg, FL 33713Precinct 131 – 30th Avenue Baptist Church 3241 30th Ave N St. Petersburg, FL 33713Precinct 132 – Faith Assembly 3900 28th St N St. Petersburg, FL 33714Precinct 133, 141 – Woodlawn Presbyterian Church 2612 12th St N St. Petersburg, FL 33704Precinct 134, 142 – Sunken Gardens 1825 4th St N St. Petersburg, FL 33704Precinct 136, 137 – Northside Lodge #283, F & AM 3325 1st St NE St. Petersburg, FL 33704Precinct 138 – St. Petersburg Women’s Club 40 Snell Isle Blvd. St. Petersburg, FL 33704Precinct 139, 140 – Roberts Recreation Center 1246 50th Ave N St. Petersburg, FL 33703Precinct 143 – Lutheran Church of the Cross 4545 Chancellor St. NE St Petersburg, FL 33703Precinct 144 – The Gathering Church 4400 Shore Acres Blvd NE St. Petersburg, FL 33703Precinct 145, 146, 147 – Riviera United Methodist Church 175 62nd Ave N St. Petersburg, FL 33702Precinct 150 – Willis S. Johns Recreation Center 6635 M L King St N St. Petersburg, FL 33702Precinct 151 – North Branch Library 861 70th Ave N St. Petersburg, FL 33702Precinct 152 – Willis S. Johns Recreation Center 6635 M L King St N St. Petersburg, FL 33702Precinct 153 – Americana Cove 7201 1st St NE St. Petersburg, FL 33702Precinct 154 – First Church of Christ, Scientist 6333 1st St NE St. Petersburg, FL 33702Precinct 155 – Epiphany Ukrainian Catholic Church 434 90th Ave N St. Petersburg, FL 33702Precinct 156, 157, 161 – First Baptist Church/St. Petersburg 1900 Gandy Blvd St. Petersburg, FL 33702Precinct 162 – Pinewood Co-op, Inc. 10441 Gandy Blvd St. Petersburg, FL 33702Precinct 201, 202 – Pinellas Community Church 5501 31st St S St. Petersburg, FL 33712Precinct 205 – Prayer Tower Church of God in Christ 1137 37th St S St. Petersburg, FL 33711Precinct 211, 215, 216, 222 – Pasadena Community Church 227 70th St S St. Petersburg, FL 33707Precinct 213, 217 – Unity of St. Petersburg 6168 1st Ave N St. Petersburg, FL 33710Precinct 219, 221 – LAO Conference of Churches 1150 49th St N St. Petersburg, FL 33710Precinct 220, 223, 225, 228 – St. Luke’s United Methodist Church 4444 5th Ave N St. Petersburg, FL 33713Precinct 224 – Childs Park Recreation & Fitness Center 4301 13th Ave S St. Petersburg, FL 33711Precinct 226 – Galilee Missionary Baptist Church 505 35th St S St. Petersburg, FL 33711Precinct 227 – Fifth Avenue Church of Christ 4200 5th Ave S St. Petersburg, FL 33711Precinct 229 – St. Vincent’s Episcopal Church 5441 9th Ave N St. Petersburg, FL 33710Precinct 230, 240 – St. Stefanos Greek Orthodox Church 3600 76th St N St. Petersburg, FL 33710Precinct 231, 245 – South Cross Bayou, Water Reclamation 7401 54th Ave N St. Petersburg, FL 33709Precinct 232 – Palm Lake Christian Church 5401 22nd Ave N St. Petersburg, FL 33710Precinct 234, 239 – St. Petersburg Community Church 4501 30th Ave N St. Petersburg, FL 33713Precinct 235 – Azalea Baptist Church 7900 22nd Ave N St. Petersburg, FL 33710Precinct 236, 253 – Portuguese American Suncoast Assoc. 7808 46th Ave N St. Petersburg, FL 33709Precinct 241 – Walter P. Fuller Recreation Center 7891 26th Ave N St. Petersburg, FL 33710Precinct 242, 252 – Terrace Park of Five Towns – Oleander 6022 80th St St. Petersburg, FL 33709Precinct 243, 249 – Lealman and Asian Neighborhood Family Center 4255 56th Ave N St. Petersburg, FL 33714Precinct 275 – Palm Lake Christian Church 5401 22nd Ave N St. Petersburg, FL 33710Manatee County polling locationsBradenton BeachPrecinct 307 – Bradenton Beach Fire Hall 201 2nd St N Bradenton Beach, FL 34217Holmes BeachPrecinct 303, 305 – St. Bernard Catholic Church 248 Harbor Dr S Holmes Beach, FL 34217Longboat KeyPrecinct 309 – Longboat Island Chapel 6200 Gulf of Mexico Dr Longboat Key, FL 34228Polk County polling locationsFort MeadePrecinct 516 – American Legion 825 N Charleston Ave Fort Meade, FL 33841Precinct 517 – Fort Meade Community Center 10 SW 3rd St Fort Meade, FL 33841Precinct 518 – Ft Meade First Church of God 215 S Perry Ave Fort Meade, FL 33841LakelandPrecinct 101 – Outreach Baptist 11425 Rockridge Rd Lakeland, FL 33809Precinct 109 – Bethel Baptist Church 3125 W Socrum Loop Rd Lakeland, FL 33810Precinct 110 – Our Savior Lutheran Church 6920 N Socrum Loop Rd Lakeland, FL 33809Precinct 111 – Together Church 6725 N Socrum Loop Rd Lakeland, FL 33809Precinct 112, 116 – Gibsonia Baptist Church 5440 US Highway 98 N Lakeland, FL 33809Precinct 113, 114 – Kathleen Baptist Church 3939 2nd St NW Lakeland, FL 33810Precinct 115 – Cornerstone Baptist Church 6725 Green Rd Lakeland, FL 33810Precinct 117, 125 – Believers’ Fellowship Church 5240 N Socrum Loop Rd Lakeland, FL 33809Precinct 118 – Mount Tabor Baptist Church 3504 Mount Tabor Rd Lakeland, FL 33810Precinct 119 – Church of Jesus Christ LDS 1839 Gibsonia Galloway Rd Lakeland, FL 33810Precinct 120 – Faith Wesleyan Church 3501 N Florida Ave Lakeland, FL 33805Precinct 121 – Victory Assembly of God 1401 Griffin Rd Lakeland, FL 33810Precinct 201 – Lake Crago Recreation Complex 525 Lake Crago Dr Lakeland, FL 33805Precinct 203 – Gapway Baptist Church 1705 N Combee Rd Lakeland, FL 33801Precinct 204 – Coleman-Bush Building 1104 Martin L King Jr Ave Lakeland, FL 33805Precinct 205 – Ewing Memorial 7th Day Adventist Church 1201 N Webster Ave Lakeland, FL 33805Precinct 206 – Lakeland 7th Day Adventist Church 1435 Gilmore Ave Lakeland, FL 33805Precinct 207 – Eastside Baptist Church 630 N Eastside Dr Lakeland, FL 33801Precinct 209 – Christ Community Church 704 N Brunnell Pkwy Lakeland, FL 33815Precinct 210 – First Baptist Institutional Church 932 Martin L King Jr Ave Lakeland, FL 33815Precinct 211 – Family Worship Center 1350 E Main St Lakeland, FL 33801Precinct 212 – Woodall’s M. H. P. 2121 New Tampa Hwy Lakeland, FL 33815Precinct 213 – Winston Baptist Church 3233 Old Tampa Hwy Lakeland, FL 33803Precinct 214 – Trinity United Methodist Church 715 Cornelia Ave Lakeland, FL 33815Precinct 215, 232, 242 – First Baptist Church 5410 Yarborough Ln Lakeland, FL 33812Precinct 216 – RP Funding Center 701 W Lime St Lakeland, FL 33815Precinct 217 – Lake Mirror Center 121 S Lake Ave Lakeland, FL 33801Precinct 218 – New Beginnings Church of the Nazarene 2119 N Crystal Lake Dr Lakeland, FL 33801Precinct 219 – Rhema Word of Faith International 3330 Skyview Dr Lakeland, FL 33801Precinct 220 – Hilton Garden Inn 3839 Don Emerson Dr Lakeland, FL 33811Precinct 221 – Heatherwood Village 1925 Harden Blvd Lakeland, FL 33803Precinct 222 – Mas Verde 2600 Harden Blvd Lakeland, FL 33803Precinct 223 – College Heights Methodist Church 942 South Blvd Lakeland, FL 33803Precinct 224 – Cleveland Heights Golf Club 2900 Buckingham Ave Lakeland, FL 33803Precinct 225 – CityPlace Church 300 Longfellow Blvd Lakeland, FL 33801Precinct 226 – Citrus Woods – Clubhouse Annex 1610 Reynolds Rd Lakeland, FL 33801Precinct 228 – United Methodist Temple 2700 S Florida Ave Lakeland, FL 33803Precinct 229 – Kelly Recreation Complex 404 Imperial Blvd Lakeland, FL 33803Precinct 230 – Cleveland Heights Baptist Church 3120 Cleveland Heights Blvd Lakeland, FL 33803Precinct 231 – First Alliance Church 1919 E Edgewood Dr Lakeland, FL 33803Precinct 233 – Lakeland Elks Lodge #1291 4529 Harden Blvd Lakeland, FL 33813Precinct 234 – Heritage Baptist Church 4202 Pipkin Creek Rd Lakeland, FL 33811Precinct 235 – Fellowship Baptist Church 4625 Cleveland Heights Blvd Lakeland, FL 33813Precinct 236 – Highland Park Church 4730 Lakeland Highlands Rd Lakeland, FL 33813Precinct 237 – The Vineyard 2023 W Pipkin Rd Lakeland, FL 33811Precinct 238 – Medulla Community Center 1049 Parker Rd Lakeland, FL 33811Precinct 239 – Scott Lake Baptist Church 5811 Scott Lake Rd Lakeland, FL 33813Precinct 240 – Highlands Church of Christ 5730 Lakeland Highlands Rd Lakeland, FL 33813Precinct 241 – Southside Baptist Church 5330 Lakeland Highlands Rd Lakeland, FL 33813Precinct 243 – Shepherds Community United Methodist 6885 Chelsea Oaks Dr Lakeland, FL 33811Precinct 245 – Trinity Baptist Church 6633 Old Highway 37 Lakeland, FL 33811Precinct 248 – St John Neumann Catholic Church 501 E Carter Rd Lakeland, FL 33813Precinct 249 – Unity in the Grove Church 6230 Lakeland Highlands Rd Lakeland, FL 33813Precinct 250, 251 – Trinity Christian Center 4416 E County Road 540A Lakeland, FL 33813Winter HavenPrecinct 310, 340 – First Church of God 3025 US Highway 92 Winter Haven, FL 33881Precinct 313 – The Rock of Winter Haven 2901 Lucerne Park Rd Winter Haven, FL 33881Precinct 314 – 1st Baptist Church of Lucerne Park 5650 State Road 544 Winter Haven, FL 33881Precinct 316 – Havendale Christian Church 3900 Lake Blue Dr Winter Haven, FL 33881Precinct 319 – Abiding Savior Lutheran Church 1910 Havendale Blvd NW Winter Haven, FL 33881Precinct 321 – Polk County Utilities Division 1011 Jim Keene Blvd Winter Haven, FL 33880Precinct 322 – The Way at Inwood 1302 33rd St NW Winter Haven, FL 33881Precinct 323 – Westwood Missionary Baptist Church 3210 Avenue G NW Winter Haven, FL 33880Precinct 324 – Winter Haven Senior Adult Center 250 S Lake Silver Dr NW Winter Haven, FL 33880Precinct 325 – Samson Masonic Lodge #142 120 Avenue R NW Winter Haven, FL 33881Precinct 326 – Winter Haven Christian Church 301 6th St NE Winter Haven, FL 33881Precinct 327 – Faith Baptist Church 2140 Crystal Beach Rd Winter Haven, FL 33880Precinct 329 – Southside Baptist Church 1301 7th St SW Winter Haven, FL 33880Precinct 330 – First Church of the Nazarene 560 3rd St SW Winter Haven, FL 33880Precinct 331 – Thrive Church 651 Carl Floyd Rd Winter Haven, FL 33884Precinct 332, 522 – Resurrection Lutheran Church 4620 Cypress Gardens Rd Winter Haven, FL 33884Precinct 333 – Spirit Lake Community Church 2600 Spirit Lake Rd Winter Haven, FL 33880Precinct 336 – Hope Presbyterian Church 2110 Cypress Gardens Blvd Winter Haven, FL 33884Precinct 337 – Holy Cross Episcopal Church 201 Kipling Ln Winter Haven, FL 33884Precinct 339 – Cypress Ridge Presbyterian 6230 Cypress Gardens Blvd Winter Haven, FL 33884Precinct 415 – Calvary Baptist Church 2101 Overlook Dr Winter Haven, FL 33884Precinct 510 – Centro Guadalupe Catholic Mission 2150 Bomber Rd Winter Haven, FL 33880-5600Precinct 513, 520, 521 – Redemption Baptist Church 2576 Rifle Range Rd Winter Haven, FL 33880Sarasota County polling locationsLongboat KeyPrecinct 201 – Town Hall of Longboat Key 501 Bay Isles Rd Longboat Key, FL 34228VenicePrecinct 301 – Waterford Sports Club 1460 Gleneagles Dr Venice, FL 34292Precinct 305, 517 – Church of the Nazarene 1535 E Venice Ave Venice, FL 34292Precinct 307 – Jewish Congregation of Venice 600 N Auburn Rd Venice, FL 34292Precinct 315 – Stoneybrook Club House 2365 Estuary Dr Venice, FL 34292Precinct 321 – Colonial Baptist Church 2400 Taylor Ranch Trl Venice, FL 34293Precinct 511 – Venice Community Center 326 Nokomis Ave S Venice, FL 34285Precinct 513 – Bird Bay Village Clubhouse 606 Bird Bay Dr S Venice, FL 34285Precinct 515 – Hotel Venezia 425 US 41 Bypass N Venice, FL 34285Precinct 519 – Emmanuel Lutheran 800 Tamiami Trl S Venice, FL 34285Precinct 521 – Country Club Estates 700 Waterway Venice, FL 34285Precinct 523 – Venice Isle Mobile Estates 101 Via Veneto Venice, FL 34285Precinct 525 – Lift Church 695 Center Rd Venice, FL 34285Precinct 529 – Center of Hope Neighborhood Church 2395 Shamrock Dr Venice, FL 34293Precinct 531 – Venice Gardens Civic Center 406 Shamrock Blvd Venice, FL 34293Precinct 533 – South Venice Baptist Church 3167 Englewood Rd Venice, FL 34293Precinct 535 – Woodmere Park 3951 Woodmere Park Blvd Venice, FL 34293Precinct 537, 539 – Trinity Presbyterian 4365 State Rd 776 Venice, FL 34293Precinct 541 – New Life Church 5800 Tamiami Trl S Venice, FL 34293
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Written by: Sam Sachs