GAINESVILLE, FLA.—As voters made their way to polling places across Gainesville on Tuesday, the 2026 midterm elections brought a mix of local and statewide decisions to the ballot. From the race for Florida governor to local county commission and school board contests, voters faced choices that could shape the direction of their communities and the state.

A Gainesville resident shows they voted Tuesday. [Credit: Rebecca Gleiberman]

“The older I get the more apathetic I become. My son peer-pressured me to vote today,” said Jason Hollington, a 52-year-old Gainesville resident.

The election comes as Florida voters decide several major races, including contests for governor and U.S. Senate. They will also be voting on amendments that include an increase in the state’s budget stabilization fund, which acts as an emergency fund for the state, a tangible personal property exemption on agricultural land, and an increase to the state’s non-school homestead exemption tax.  

Campaign workers are barred from getting too close to the polling place entrance at Millhopper Branch Library. [Credit: Rebecca Gleiberman]

Alachua County voters are also weighing local races for county commission and school board, along with ballot measures that could affect local government.

By Tuesday, thousands of voters had already made their voices heard. According to Vote Alachua, as of this afternoon, 48,617 residents had voted early, and another 23,300 had returned mail-in ballots Together, that amounts to 71,917 ballots cast or 43% of eligible voters.

“The older I get the more apathetic I become. My son peer-pressured me to vote today,” said Jason Hollington, a 52-year-old Gainesville resident.

Elizabeth Hill, a volunteer with Alachua County Democrats, said voters had steadily come through all day. She voted by mail and remains hopeful for all Democratic state and local candidates. “I’m hoping for a check on Donald Trump,” she said.

At the time of publication, there was a 60.40% voter turnout, which includes in-person voting, already surpassing the 2022 midterm election turnout 53.3% but less than the 64.2% turnout in 2018,  according to Vote Alachua figures. 

But for some voters, casting a ballot in person remained important as well as preparing.

I want to be “sure I study about everything and not just jump in [to voting] the first day” that polls opened, said Ni, 54.