As part of our commitment to providing you with what you need to make an informed decision in the 2026 elections, News 6 joined with the News Collaborative of Central Florida to present the Voting Central Florida 2026 Voter’s Guide.
Tuesday, Nov. 3 is the general election, where all registered voters will choose Florida’s next governor, along with a U.S. Senator, statewide cabinet members, U.S. House representatives, Florida state legislators, and various county and city officials. Voters will also decide on three statewide constitutional amendments.
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Everything you need to know in order to vote in the November election, including how to vote by mail, vote early, and vote on Election Day, can be found in our Election 2026 section HERE.
Orange County Clerk of Courts
The clerk of courts is the keeper of court records in Orange County. They also handle all court-related fines and fees, handle passport applications, and issue marriage licenses. The current clerk of courts, Tiffany Moore Russell, is leaving to run for Orange County mayor.
The News Collaborative of Central Florida created a list of common questions to ask the candidates. Questionnaires were sent to all candidates.
Not all of the candidates responded. Where candidates did not respond, we have filled out the information to the best of our abilities.
Our partners at the Orlando Sentinel compiled the candidate responses for the Orange County Clerk of Courts race, emailing and calling the candidates over several weeks. You can see the full Orlando Sentinel Voting Guide HERE.
Roberta Walton Johnson – Democrat
WEBSITE: voteroberta.com/
YOUR NUMBER 1 ISSUE and how you plan to address it: Expanding Access to Justice. Every resident deserves equal access to the courts, regardless of income or whether they have an attorney. As Clerk, I will continue expanding customer-focused services, improving court navigation resources, and ensuring residents can access the information and assistance they need with dignity, professionalism, and respect.
YOUR NUMBER 2 ISSUE and how you plan to address it: Modernizing Services and Technology. Orange County continues to grow, and the Clerk’s Office must keep pace. I will champion technology improvements that make services more efficient, accessible, and user-friendly while reducing wait times, streamlining processes, and improving online access to court services and information.
YOUR NUMBER 3 ISSUE and how you plan to address it: Protecting Public Records and Public Trust. Residents deserve confidence that their court records are secure, accurate, and managed responsibly. As Clerk, I will protect the integrity of public records, ensure taxpayer dollars are used wisely, and uphold the transparency and accountability that Orange County residents expect from their government.
Why do you deserve to be elected in this race? I have dedicated my career to serving others and helping residents navigate some of the most important moments in their lives. From representing underserved families through legal services, to serving in local government, nonprofit leadership, private practice, and more than a decade in leadership within the Clerk’s Office, my work has always been focused on ensuring government is more accessible, responsive, and accountable. As General Counsel for the Orange County Clerk’s Office, I work every day on the legal, operational, and policy issues that impact our courts and the public we serve. These experiences have given me a deep understanding of the Clerk’s responsibilities and how this office can better serve our community. I am ready to lead on day one and continue building a Clerk’s Office that residents can trust to deliver professional, efficient, and transparent service.
Terrell Thomas – No Party Affiliate
WEBSITE: thomasforclerk.com/
If elected, what are the THREE most pressing problems you want to address, and what do you suggest to solve them?
YOUR NUMBER 1 ISSUE and how you plan to address it:
Building a stronger workplace culture. The Clerk’s Office is only as strong as the people who serve our community. I will invest in employee development, leadership training, recognition, and open communication to create a culture where employees feel valued, supported, and empowered to provide exceptional public service.
YOUR NUMBER 2 ISSUE and how you plan to address it:
Expanding access to Clerk services. Every resident should have convenient access to Clerk services. I will introduce mobile community services that bring the Clerk’s Office directly into our neighborhoods while strengthening outreach, improving customer service, and working with community partners to better serve Orange County.
YOUR NUMBER 3 ISSUE and how you plan to address it:
Modernizing technology and operations. A Future-Ready Clerk’s Office embraces innovation while staying focused on exceptional public service. I will modernize technology, enhance online services through a more user-friendly website, optimize the case management system to improve efficiency, performance and data flow, strengthen cybersecurity, and expand mobile and digital service options. By leveraging smart, data-driven solutions, we will deliver government services that are more accessible, transparent, efficient, and responsive to the needs of our community.
Why do you deserve to be elected in this race?
I have dedicated nearly 30 years to serving Florida’s court system, beginning with my career with the Orange County Clerk’s Office and later helping courts across the country improve operations through technology and innovation. I understand the Clerk’s constitutional responsibilities, value its proud tradition of public service, and have the experience and vision to lead the office forward. My commitment through my vision Clerk Forward, is to build a Clerk’s Office that is People First, Community Focused, and Future Ready.
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