# Central Florida Voters Prepare for Key Election Day Races Tuesday
*Early voting concludes as Orange County, Seminole County and Central Florida residents head to polls on Aug 18 for local and congressional contests.*

- Medio: Orlando Ledger News (https://orlandoledgernews.com)
- URL: https://orlandoledgernews.com/noticia/central-florida-voters-prepare-for-key-election-day-races-tuesday
- Sección: Politica
- Autor: Orlando Ledger News Staff
- Publicado: 2026-08-17T11:45:00.664Z
- Actualizado: 2026-08-17T14:51:17.420Z
> Early voting wraps up in Orange and Seminole counties ahead of Aug 18 elections. Key contests include Orange County School Board Chair and Mayor, plus a competitive GOP primary for U.S. Rep. Cory Mills in Florida's 7th District.

## Las claves

- Election Day is Tuesday, August 18, following the conclusion of early voting across Central Florida
- Voters will decide on Orange County School Board Chair and Mayor races, with potential runoffs
- U.S. Rep. Cory Mills faces a Republican primary in FL-7 after Gov. DeSantis withdrew support

Early voting is wrapping up in Orange County, Seminole County, and across Central Florida, putting the focus on Election Day on Tuesday, August 18. On this date, voters will decide several major local and congressional races that could shape the region's political landscape for years to come. As polling locations prepare for a busy day, community attention is turning toward specific contests in Orange County and beyond.

### Orange County Local Races

In Orange County, one significant race on the ballot is the contest for school board chair. Alicia Farrant and Angie Gallo are running to replace Teresa Jacobs, who currently holds the seat. News 6 anchor Matt Austin sat down with both candidates ahead of the election to discuss their priorities and policies as voters prepare to make their choice.

Another major Orange County race may not be settled on Election Night. Four candidates are running to become Orange County’s next mayor: Chris Messina, Tiffany Moore Russell, Stephanie Murphy, and Mayra Uribe. If one candidate receives more than 50% of the vote Tuesday, that candidate wins the race outright. However, if no one clears that threshold, the top two vote-getters will advance to a November runoff.

### Florida’s 7th Congressional District

North of Orange County, another race drawing attention is in Florida’s 7th Congressional District. Republican U.S. Rep. Cory Mills is seeking another term but faces a Republican primary on Tuesday. The race gained added attention after Gov. Ron DeSantis publicly said Friday that he does not support Mills. Mills must win the Republican primary to move forward into November’s general election.

### Polling Hours and Final Preparations

For voters who did not cast ballots during early voting, polls will be open on Tuesday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. This window provides final opportunities for residents across Orange County, Seminole County, and surrounding areas in Central Florida to participate in these critical decisions.
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Fuente original: https://orlandoledgernews.com/noticia/central-florida-voters-prepare-for-key-election-day-races-tuesday