ST. LUCIE COUNTY, Fla. (CBS12) — Election Day is here, and voters in Port St. Lucie are heading to the polls Tuesday to decide who will lead one of Florida’s fastest-growing cities for the next four years.
Incumbent Mayor Shannon Martin is facing challenger Steven Giordano in a runoff election after neither candidate secured a majority of the vote in August.
The race comes as residents continue to raise concerns about rapid growth, traffic congestion, infrastructure improvements, development and taxpayer spending.
Meanwhile, widespread flooding across St. Lucie County has forced election officials to temporarily relocate several polling places ahead of Tuesday’s vote.
The race for Port St. Lucie mayor is headed to a November runoff between incumbent Mayor Shannon Martin and challenger Steven Giordano. (WPEC)
Where the mayoral race stands
Martin finished first in the August primary with 47.71% of the vote, followed by Giordano with 35.22%. Eric Strazzeri, who finished third with 17.07%, was eliminated from the race.
That leaves approximately 6,700 voters who supported Strazzeri in August potentially playing a key role in deciding the outcome of Tuesday’s election.
Both candidates have spent the months leading up to Election Day making their case to residents about the future of Port St. Lucie.
Martin is campaigning on her record, pointing to infrastructure improvements and roadwork already underway.
Giordano, a longtime Port St. Lucie resident, business owner and former deputy, has called for slowing development until infrastructure can catch up with the city’s rapid growth. He has also called for a new traffic study.
The candidates have different visions for how the city should use its land and approach future development.
“We already have 50 something parks here in Port St Lucie, we didn’t need another 23 acre park or 26 acre park in Tradition, lets utilize that space better,” Giordano told CBS12 News.
Martin has defended the city’s investments in parks and recreational spaces, saying they reflect what residents have requested.
“We have developed amazing parks in this city, our residents have asked for that and we have delivered on that and really its about what our residents tell us that they want,” Martin said.
The two also differ on plans involving a proposed soccer stadium and efforts to create a downtown destination with restaurants, shopping and entertainment.
The winner will help shape the city’s future as Port St. Lucie continues to experience significant population growth.
Trash collection also on the ballot
Beyond the mayoral race, Port St. Lucie voters will also weigh in on another issue that has generated debate across the city: trash collection.
Residents are being asked whether they support increasing residential trash pickup from once a week to twice a week at an additional cost.
The proposal would increase the city’s annual solid waste assessment by at least $131 beginning in 2028, with additional increases expected in subsequent years.
Port St. Lucie homeowners could soon learn more about what city leaders plan to do with a $24 million settlement from former trash collection company Waste Pro. The City Council will hold a special meeting Monday night to discuss potential uses for the settlement money, though no final decision is expected. (WPEC)
The additional pickup would apply to household garbage, not recycling, yard waste or bulk collection.
The ballot question is nonbinding, meaning the results will help city leaders gauge public opinion, but the City Council will ultimately decide whether to move forward with the change.
Flooding forces changes to Election Day polling locations
As voters head to the polls Tuesday, several polling locations across St. Lucie County have been temporarily relocated because of flooding and unsafe road conditions.
St. Lucie County Supervisor of Elections Gertrude Walker announced the changes Monday, saying the relocations are intended to ensure voters have safe and accessible locations to cast their ballots.
The following polling locations have changed for Tuesday’s election:
Precinct 12 — Fort Pierce Masonic Lodge
New location: Days Inn Midtown (Precinct 25)Address: 3224 S. U.S. 1, Fort Pierce, FL 34982
Precincts 49 and 71 — Oak Hammock K-8 School
New location: Port St. Lucie Community Center (Precinct 45)Address: 2195 SE Airoso Blvd., Port St. Lucie, FL 34984Access from Airoso Boulevard.
Precinct 51 — Disabled American Veterans Hall
New location: Port St. Lucie Community Center (Precinct 45)Address: 2195 SE Airoso Blvd., Port St. Lucie, FL 34984Access from Airoso Boulevard.
Precincts 67 and 86 — St. Lucie West Centennial High School
New location: Indian River State College Veterans Center of ExcellenceAddress: 500 NW California Blvd., Port St. Lucie, FL 34986Access from Peacock Boulevard.
Precinct 83 — Paula A. Lewis Library
New location: Tradition Town HallAddress: 10799 SW Civic Lane, Port St. Lucie, FL 34987
Precinct 92 — The Brennity at Tradition
New location: Tradition Town HallAddress: 10799 SW Civic Lane, Port St. Lucie, FL 34987
Election officials are encouraging voters to verify their assigned polling locations before leaving home because additional changes may be necessary as flooding conditions evolve.
For the latest updates, voters can visit www.stlucievotes.gov or contact the St. Lucie County Supervisor of Elections Office at 772-462-1500.
State of emergency declared amid widespread flooding
The polling location changes come after days of heavy rainfall left roadways flooded and impassable across parts of St. Lucie County.
Gov. Ron DeSantis issued Executive Order 26-227, declaring a state of emergency for St. Lucie County and six other Florida counties because of widespread flooding and threats to public safety and infrastructure.
St. Lucie County Sheriff Richard Del Toro urged residents to avoid unnecessary travel and never attempt to drive through flooded roadways. Port St. Lucie police have also extended shifts for officers to provide additional assistance as crews monitor flooding and respond to calls for service.
Excessive rain fall along the Treasure Coast has caused the National Weather Service to issue a flood advisory on Thursday. In a Facebook post from the city of Port St. Lucie, it states it has experienced some roadway flooding and temporary road closures. (WPEC)
According to the city, several major roadways were closed as of Monday evening, including the intersection of California and Savona boulevards and Port St. Lucie Boulevard at Aviation Avenue.
Officials are urging residents to check the latest road conditions before traveling and to avoid driving around barricades or through standing water.
St. Lucie County public schools, county government offices and courthouses are closed Tuesday because of the weather. Polling locations are scheduled to remain operational, including city facilities being used for voting.
What voters need to know
Polls are open Tuesday, Nov. 3, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Voters should confirm their assigned precinct, especially if their normal polling location has been affected by flooding.
Election Day voters must cast their ballots at their assigned polling location.
For information about precincts, voting requirements and election updates, visit www.stlucievotes.gov.
CBS12 News will continue tracking the Port St. Lucie mayoral race and local election results throughout Election Day.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.