Eatonville voters head to the polls to choose next mayor

Voters in the historic town of Eatonville head to the polls Saturday to choose their next mayor and several Town Council members.Polls opened at 7 a.m. and will remain open until 7 p.m. for the municipal election in the Central Florida community, known as the oldest incorporated all-Black municipality in the United States.The mayor’s race includes three candidates: Ruth Critton, council member Wanda Randolph and Vice Mayor Theodore Washington.“We are here for the people. We are the people. We are the people of today of Eatonville,” Randolph said.Voters are also deciding multiple council seats. Candidates for Seat 2 include Eric McIntyre, Ryan Novak and Angela Y. Thomas. For Seat 3, voters are choosing between Dwayne A. Rackard and LaDwyana Ware-Jordan.Ware-Jordan said the energy outside the polls early Saturday reflected the importance of the day.“This is the best day of the year. To come out this early is beautiful,” Ware-Jordan said.Another candidate, Thomas, encouraged residents to take part in the election.“If you love Eatonville as much as I love Eatonville, we want to make sure that you come out and vote. We are here,” Thomas said.The day began with a moment of unity outside the polling location, where several candidates gathered in a circle to pray before voters arrived.Randolph said the election represents an opportunity to continue growing the historic community.“We love Eatonville. We want to see it prosper. We would like to see a lot of development here in Eatonville,” Randolph said.The race also marks a transition in leadership as current Mayor Angie Gardner prepares to leave office.“The future of that vote is weighing heavily on this town,” Gardner said.Gardner said she hopes the next mayor will be able to build on the work already done in the community.“That’s how a mayor should leave their position — the next mayor doesn’t have to work as hard,” Gardner said.Orange County Supervisor of Elections Karen Castor Dentel said her office is working closely with the town to ensure the election runs smoothly and securely.For some residents, the day also marked a personal milestone. One Eatonville voter cast his ballot for the first time in the election.“Since it’s my first time, a lot of the people I’m voting for I have known, and I do trust them with the process of becoming the next people to help Eatonville out,” Simmons said.Residents casting ballots Saturday are helping decide the town’s next chapter as they choose their next mayor and town leaders.Polls close at 7 p.m., with results expected after voting ends.

EATONVILLE, Fla. —

Voters in the historic town of Eatonville head to the polls Saturday to choose their next mayor and several Town Council members.

Polls opened at 7 a.m. and will remain open until 7 p.m. for the municipal election in the Central Florida community, known as the oldest incorporated all-Black municipality in the United States.

The mayor’s race includes three candidates: Ruth Critton, council member Wanda Randolph and Vice Mayor Theodore Washington.

“We are here for the people. We are the people. We are the people of today of Eatonville,” Randolph said.

Voters are also deciding multiple council seats. Candidates for Seat 2 include Eric McIntyre, Ryan Novak and Angela Y. Thomas. For Seat 3, voters are choosing between Dwayne A. Rackard and LaDwyana Ware-Jordan.

Ware-Jordan said the energy outside the polls early Saturday reflected the importance of the day.

“This is the best day of the year. To come out this early is beautiful,” Ware-Jordan said.

Another candidate, Thomas, encouraged residents to take part in the election.

“If you love Eatonville as much as I love Eatonville, we want to make sure that you come out and vote. We are here,” Thomas said.

The day began with a moment of unity outside the polling location, where several candidates gathered in a circle to pray before voters arrived.

Randolph said the election represents an opportunity to continue growing the historic community.

“We love Eatonville. We want to see it prosper. We would like to see a lot of development here in Eatonville,” Randolph said.

The race also marks a transition in leadership as current Mayor Angie Gardner prepares to leave office.

“The future of that vote is weighing heavily on this town,” Gardner said.

Gardner said she hopes the next mayor will be able to build on the work already done in the community.

“That’s how a mayor should leave their position — the next mayor doesn’t have to work as hard,” Gardner said.

Orange County Supervisor of Elections Karen Castor Dentel said her office is working closely with the town to ensure the election runs smoothly and securely.

For some residents, the day also marked a personal milestone. One Eatonville voter cast his ballot for the first time in the election.

“Since it’s my first time, a lot of the people I’m voting for I have known, and I do trust them with the process of becoming the next people to help Eatonville out,” Simmons said.

Residents casting ballots Saturday are helping decide the town’s next chapter as they choose their next mayor and town leaders.

Polls close at 7 p.m., with results expected after voting ends.