PalmettoNot a ballot

Voter guide · Nov 3, 2026

Palmetto City Commission Election 2026

3 of 5 council seats are on the ballot, with 4 candidates running. Updated Oct 5, 2026. Every claim links to its source. How we check

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Nov 3Election Day

How to vote · 11 days left

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Election Day (Nov 3): the election office's notice

These links go to official state and county election sites. Hours and rules differ by state; your election office has the final word.

Your houseWhat does your Palmetto house pay?A Palmetto house at the typical market value ($313,400) pays about $12,700 a year. Enter your address for your own number: property tax from the county's record, water, trash and energy, and the money dates ahead.

The candidates

Listed alphabetically by last name. Every position links to its source.

Palmetto voters fill the Ward 1, Ward 2 and Ward 3 commission seats; Ward 2 is contested and Wards 1 and 3 are listed as unopposed. The two at-large seats and the mayor are not up.

Election Day · Nov 3

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Also on your Nov 3 ballot

We research city races only. For these races, go to the state's official guide or a nonpartisan one.

  • Governor
    8 candidates on the ballot
    • Byron Donalds · Republican
    • David Jolly · Democratic
    • Scott Eckhard Jewett · Libertarian
    • Charles Burkett · No Party Affiliation
    • Frank J. Russo · No Party Affiliation
    • Moliere "Moe" Dimanche · No Party Affiliation
    • Dean Ocean Abrams · No Party Affiliation
    • Jeffrey Peter "Dr. Jeff" Datto · No Party Affiliation
    Official candidate list, in its order
  • U.S. Senate (special election)
    • Ashley Moody · Republican
    • Angie Nixon · Democratic
    • Neil J. Gillespie · No Party Affiliation
    Official candidate list, in its order
  • Also statewideAttorney General · Chief Financial Officer · Commissioner of Agriculture
  • U.S. HouseDistrict 16
  • State SenateDistrict 20
  • State House of RepresentativesDistrict 71
  • Statewide measures3 on the ballot: the state's official explanations
Official voter lookupState voter guideVote411 (League of Women Voters)

Districts come from 2020 Census blocks and the district maps for this election. Your address decides your districts.

Already on the council, not on the ballot

Whoever you elect will govern alongside these members.

What the next council decides

01City hall property4 sourced facts

Where it standsThe commission voted on June 1, 2026 to end the Tower property purchase; the CSX site is still being studied.

What's on the tableWhere the city builds or buys space for city hall and police, and what it pays.

02FY 2027 millage and budget4 sourced facts

Where it standsThe commission adopted the FY 2027 final millage rate and budget on September 28, 2026.

What's on the tableNext year's property tax rate and spending, including whether to stay above the rollback rate.

03Palmetto Place development3 sourced facts

Where it standsThe public hearing was continued to October 19, 2026.

What's on the tableWhether to approve the general development plan for Palmetto Place at 702 10th Avenue West.

04Data centers3 sourced facts

Where it standsThe city attorney briefed the commission on August 3, 2026 and said she would bring back examples of moratoriums from other cities.

What's on the tableWhether to pause data center development while the city reviews its rules.

05Wastewater plant operations2 sourced facts

Where it standsThe commission rejected a contract amendment with Veolia and began a procurement process.

What's on the tableWho operates and maintains the city's wastewater treatment plant.

3 notes on these statements

Harold L Smith Sr (Ward 1) and Rachel K Kendzior (Ward 3) are listed as unopposed on the Manatee County candidate list. Manatee County campaign finance

Commissioner Brian Williams said at the June 15, 2026 meeting that Rachel K Kendzior is his replacement and that she ran unopposed for Ward 3. Palmetto City Commission minutes, June 15, 2026 · Jun 15, 2026

On April 20, 2026 the commission voted 4-1 to place a charter amendment providing a boundary map of the city on the November 2026 general election ballot. Palmetto City Commission minutes, April 20, 2026 · Apr 20, 2026

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Who matches you?

Answer any of these questions. We compare your answers with each person's sourced record, and nothing is stored. Questions where no one has a sourced record yet are left out. Tap a selected answer again to skip it.

  1. 1. Should the city buy the Palmetto Tower property for city offices?

  2. 2. What property tax rate should the city set?

Seat the councilSeat the Council →Pick a winner for each open seat and see where the resulting council stands on each issue.On the recordHow the council voted1 council decision, each member's vote side by side, with a link to the minutes.New · How Palmetto is runWho runs Palmetto, and what it costsWho the city manager is, council pay, whether the city is in the red, and where your property tax goes.Your houseA Palmetto house at the typical market value ($313,400) pays about $12,700 a yearProperty tax, water, trash and energy, line by line for your address, plus the savings most owners miss.

Key dates

The seat math

2 stay (not up this year): Tamara Cornwell, Scott Whitaker3 on this ballot

5 council seats plus a mayor who doesn't vote on council items. The council decides by a 3-vote majority.

  • The City Commission has five members: three elected by ward and two elected at large, each for a four-year term. City of Palmetto
  • The mayor is elected and is the city's chief executive officer under the charter. City of Palmetto
  • The City Charter says the mayor may not vote on any action of the City Commission, including in the case of a tie. City of Palmetto

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