Winter Springs, FLVoter Guide 2026 · not a ballot

Voter guide · Nov 3, 2026

Winter Springs Mayor & City Commission Election 2026

3 of 5

council seats up

3 contests

6 candidates

Updated Oct 5, 2026. Every claim links to its source. How we check →

The candidates

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

Mayor · 1 seat

City Commission District 2 · 1 seat

City Commission District 4 · 1 seat

All Winter Springs voters choose the mayor and both commissioners; commissioners each represent a district but are elected by the whole city.

Already on the council, not on the ballot

Whoever you elect will govern alongside these members.

Sarah BakerCommissioner, District 3; term ends November 20285sourcedMark CarusoCommissioner, District 5; term ends November 20285sourcedPaul DiazCommissioner, District 1; term ends November 20286sourced

Officeholders' pages compare what they've said with how they've voted, with sources.

Start here

Match quiz3 questions · answers stay on your phoneSeat the CouncilPick winners, see the councilWhat council decidesProperty tax rate and budget, Wastewater treatment plants, The mayor's role and charter reviewKey datesDeadlines and vote centers

Get your Winter Springs ballot cheat-sheet

Candidates, positions and dates in one email, sent now.

One email now. We only email again if you ask. No ads, never sold.

Next date

Voter registration deadline

Mon, Oct 5, 2026

TodayAll key dates

What the next council decides

Property tax rate and budget

Where it standsOn Sept. 14, 2026 the commission voted 3-2 on a tentative millage rate set at the computed rollback rate and 3-2 on a tentative 2026-27 budget; each resolution authorizes advertising final public hearings.

What's on the tableThe final millage rate and budget, and how the city funds services if property tax revenue falls.

Wastewater treatment plants

Where it standsThe commission gave final approval in March 2026 to a $65.8 million replacement plant, with construction due to start within 90 days of that approval.

What's on the tableOversight of construction and funding for the second, west plant, which will move into design once the east plant is under construction.

The mayor's role and charter review

Where it standsThe mayor currently votes only to break a tie; the commission appointed a seven-member Charter Review Commission in March 2026 that may consider changes to the mayor's duties.

What's on the tableHow the commission responds to charter review recommendations, including any proposal to change the mayor's duties.

Code enforcement hearings

Where it standsOn Sept. 14, 2026 a motion to move to a special magistrate failed 2-3, so the volunteer Code Enforcement Board continues in its current structure.

What's on the tableWhether code enforcement hearings stay with the volunteer board or move to a special magistrate.

Development and setbacks

Where it standsThe commission approved a first reading of town center setback changes 5-0 in September 2026 and a townhome aesthetic review 4-1 in January 2026.

What's on the tableFinal adoption of the town center setback ordinance and future development approvals.

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. What should the city do with its general-fund property tax rate?

  2. 2. Should the Winter Springs mayor have a vote on the commission?

  3. 3. How should code enforcement hearings be handled?

Seat the Council →

Pick a winner for each open seat and see where the resulting council stands on each issue.

Key dates

The seat math

3 stay (not up this year): Sarah Baker, Mark Caruso, Paul Diaz3 on this ballot

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

Every claim here links to its source and was checked against it before publishing. How this guide works →

Take your ballot with you

Who is on your ballot, where each candidate stands, and the dates that matter, in one email you can carry to the polls. Sent right now.

One email now. We only email again if you ask. No ads, never sold.

See something wrong? Report an error

Something wrong or missing? Tell us what and where, with a link to a source if you have one. Reports feed the next verification run.